Rooted in the foothills of County Louth’s Cooley Mountains, Barry Kieran and Dylan Pearse draw on a lifetime of music and storytelling. Barry’s fiddle playing carries the traditions of Oriel, alongside his work with award-winning contemporary folk act Kern and SJ McArdle’s acclaimed song cycle Port. Dylan brings the voice and experience of a seasoned singer, songwriter and song collector, whose debut album Songs from the North Country earned praise from national radio and independent broadcasters.

Their journey has taken them from a distinctive reimagining of “Grace” to their interpretation of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, which spent two weeks on the RTÉ Radio 1 playlist. “Paddy on the Railway”, the lead track from their debut EP Dearly Loved, honours their late friend Danny Doyle, who also features on the recording.

With “Spancil Hill” and “Boston Irish”, The Cooleys are opening a new chapter: bringing Ireland’s stories of emigration, struggle, belonging and hope into an expansive fusion of folk and electronic music. Traditional storytelling remains at the centre, carried forward by contemporary rhythms, cinematic soundscapes and the heart, humour and raw energy of their live performances.