photo: Sophia Felumaz Santabarbara
MacBóchra
L to R
Brendan Duffin – Bodhrán, drums, voice.
Gormfhlaith Ní Shíocháin Ní Bheoláin- Whistles, voice, sean nós dance.
Brian Sheehan- Bodhrán, voice, guitar, jaw harp.
Brian Leach- Hammer dulcimer, monochord, whistles, voice.
MacBóchra
L to R
Brendan Duffin – Bodhrán, drums, voice.
Gormfhlaith Ní Shíocháin Ní Bheoláin- Whistles, voice, sean nós dance.
Brian Sheehan- Bodhrán, voice, guitar, jaw harp.
Brian Leach- Hammer dulcimer, monochord, whistles, voice.
The word 'seanchas' in the Irish language refers to the ancient histories, laws, traditions, geneologies and lore of Ireland. We reshape this vast wealth of tradition and storytelling into new bilingual music, poetry and dance.
Is ón seanchaí is sine, an breac, an fiolar agus an fiach dubh, Fintan Mac Bóchra, a thagann ár n-ainm. Tuigeann ár mbanna an traidisiún ina fhórsa beo go gcuimhnítear air i bhfoirmeacha éagsúla... aistear a bhíonn le roinnt ag an lucht féachana.
We take our name from the shape shifting salmon, eagle, hawk and oldest seanchaí Fintan mac Bóchra. Our band explores tradition as a force living on and remembered in different forms...a shared jouney with our audience.
Our music features arrangements for two bodhrans, tin whistles, tiompán, voices, hammer dulcimer, sean nós dance and electronics, exploring territory that is informed by Irish traditional music yet distinctive in its own right.
Using stories found in the National Folklore Collection, we recently collaborated with artist Sophia Felumaz Santabarbara on a photographic exploration of the stories and beliefs associated with 'The Stray Sod - An Fóidín Meara'.
This project, entitled 'Seachrán Sí' , can be found here
In collaboration with Strive Theatre, on February 6th and 7th 2026, at the Briery Gap theatre in Macroom, Co.Cork we premiered our fairy fort folk opera Goll
We wish to acknowledge and thank the Arts Council and Cork County Council Arts Office for their support in enabling the show's creation.
