Meadhbh Hayes, Limerick’s adopted Cork native, has an enchanting voice and is a skilled guitar and fiddle player.
Hayes’ performances are intimate and soulful, deeply rooted in folk and Irish trad but with a contemporary feel. She grew up listening to and singing a lot of Irish Folk songs as well as American Folk songs. And with Séamus Creagh being her first fiddle teacher, she has a huge grá for Sliabh Luachra tunes.
Meadhbh released her first original single GÁIRE on streaming platforms in October 2024, which was produced by Limerick musician and composer Paddy Mulcahy. The song explores themes of grief and loss, fueled by the passing of Meadhbh’s mother from a terminal illness in 2020. Contrasting these themes are her gratefulness for her life in Limerick City where she currently resides.
Over the past few months, Meadhbh has performed as an opening act for John Blek, John Murry, Rua Rí, Cormac O’Caoimh, The Whistlin’ Donkeys and The Atlanders. She has also performed at festivals like Hidden Hearth and The Cork Folk Fest (“Gals At Play” concert curated by Mary Greene from Greenshine).
Meadhbh recently finished a Master of Arts in Music Composition and Creative Music Practice in the Irish World Academy in UL, in which she received a first class honours result. Meadhbh is in the process of recording her debut EP with Shane Wixted & Paddy Mulcahy (production), Seán O’Meara (guitar, banjo, vocals), Cein Daly (bass), Conor Broderick (keys), Shay Sweeney and Ben Wanders (drums).