Maria Byrne
Cork born Maria Byrne is an Irish singer-songwriter whose music weaves together the rich lyrical traditions of folk and country with the soulful storytelling of Americana. Her sound—emotive, rooted, and resonant—has earned her a place on some of the UK and Ireland’s most respected stages.
2010 - Maria's collection of uniquely phrased lyrics and infectious melodies were first noticed by BBC 6 Music presenter Tom Robinson and Baylen Leonard on Amazing Radio who showcased her talent.
2011 - Her cover of ‘Two Hearts’ by Phil Collins was featured on a national UK KFC advert
2012 - Her original track ‘All You Need’ was chosen in 2012 to feature on the movie ‘Hot Potato’ featuring Ray Winstone and Colm Meaney. Janice Long on BBC Radio 2 and John Kennedy on XFM invited Maria to perform live sessions.
2012 - LP ‘Little Basement’ and a mini album ‘Back To You’ in 2014.
Maria received national UK radio coverage thanks to Janice Long and Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2, Huw Stephens and Rob Da Bank on BBC Radio 1 and in Ireland Alison Curtis on Today FM, John Creedon and Lilian Smith on RTE Radio 1. Maria then relocated back to Cork.
2018 - Her acoustic cover of Genesis hit ‘Follow You, Follow Me’ was featured on a national Bank of Ireland Ad campaign on TV/Radio and online. Maria also performed the track on Ray D’Arcy’s live TV show on RTE 1 and on Sean O’Rourke on RTE Radio 1.
2023 - Maria released One More Day, a raw and deeply personal EP. The title track, One More Day, is a moving tribute to her younger sister Áine, who passed away suddenly in 2019.
Maria continues to make her mark on the country and Americana scenes with a voice rooted in honesty and warmth. In 2024, she was invited to perform at the prestigious Black Deer Festival in Kent, and opened sold-out shows in Whelans, Dublin and in Coughlans in Cork. She also played a showcase for the acclaimed UK label Loose Records in London.
In 2025, Maria returned to the renowned Country 2 Country Festival at the O2 in London—one of the UK’s biggest country music events—revisiting the stage where she first performed during C2C's second-ever edition in 2014.
March 2026 – Maria will release the debut single from her upcoming album ‘ My Mother’s Daughter’ for Mother’s Day. Written during a songwriting retreat in Nashville last August, the track was shaped under the mentorship of acclaimed artists Rodney Crowell, T Bone Burnett, Vince Gill, and Mike Campbell, and arranged with producer and singer-songwriter Alyssa Bonagura.
