MacBóchra

Is ionann 'seanchas' agus stair ársa, dlithe, traidisiúin, gineallach agus béaloideas na hÉireann. Is as an saibhreas so a fháisceann MacBóchra amhráin, ceol agus rince:

"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."

The word seanchas in the Irish language refers to the ancient histories, laws, traditions, genealogies and lore of Ireland. It is this great wealth of tradition and storytelling that MacBóchra shapes into new bilingual music, poetry and dance:

''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 journey with our audience''

The band create music for two bodhráns, 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.

The band are the 2025 winners of The Noel Brazil Song Competition, for their composition 'Winter Song'. In February 2026, in collaboration with Cork City theatre company Strive Theatre, the band premiered over two nights their experimental folk opera GOLL, in the Briery Gap Theatre, Macroom.

MacBóchra are Brendan Duffin, Angelique Everett, Brian Leach and Colm Walsh.

In December 2024 the band released their latest EP on bandcamp, entitled 'MacBóchra' . The EP retells stories associated with Finn mac Cool, Connla's Well (where the salmon gains its knowledge) as well as lesser known stories such as the monstrous worm that escapes from the head of Cruimh Chinn Chéin and the life and death battle of Ireland's two oldest animals, namely The Hawk of Achill and the salmon Goll Essa Ruadh. The EP's artwork is by Waterford based stained glass artist Rayleen Clancy and the calligraphy was created by artist Alibhe Reilly Tuite.

They are currently working on their first album, due for release in August 2026.

''Why is nobody else doing what MacBóchra do?'' - John Spillane