Saltaire

Saltaire is a contemporary folk/trad trio consisting of singer/cellist Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz, guitarist Ian Kinsella and bodhrán/bouzouki player Conor Lyons. Together they create a rich tapestry of sound and storytelling, through a fusion of Irish and American folk & trad styles.

Saltaire weaves haunting, ethereal folk with rich storytelling, blending original songs with reimagined folk ballads and traditional tunes. With the deep resonance of cello, the rhythmic pulse of bodhrán, and the melodic interplay of guitar and bouzouki, they craft a fresh folk sound that feels both timeless and nostalgic.

Saltaire brings together three distinct musical voices, shaped by years of performing in acclaimed bands and as sought-after session musicians. Conor is a founding member of The Bonny Men, while Ian and Kaitlin have played with Frankie Gavin & De Dannan. Kaitlin also performs with 2025 RTÉ Folk Award winners Natalie Ní Chasaide & Iarfhlaith Ó Domhnaill, and all three members are part of Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin's live band, featuring on his debut solo album The Deepest Breath. Their combined experience fuels Saltaire’s bold and dynamic sound.

Saltaire recently released their stunning debut EP, Only Moonlight - a defining calling card that interlaces much-loved tunes and folk classics with bold original work.

Teasing the EP on RTÉ Radio One’s The Rolling Wave, the group have earned extensive praise from Hot Press, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Wales, Dublin Gazette and more, with the EP’s lead track, ‘Aldborough Parade’ being included on the RTÉ Radio 1 Recommends List last Monday, March 9th. They kicked off 2026 as official showcase artists first in Belfast at the Your Roots Are Showing folk music conference, then in Dublin the Culture Ireland TradFest showcase, and have since been invited to perform across Europe, Australia, and the United States over the coming months and into 2027 - starting at the National Celtic Folk Festival Australia this May, and the CCI Paris in June. Saltaire will soon be announcing a tour of Irish/UK dates to launch the EP at home in late summer/early Autumn.

Saltaire recently recorded an exceptional audio-visual set at the iconic Windmill Lane Recording Studios after winning the Global Sounds Contest, a competition series by award-winning audio engineer Josh Rogosin (NPR’s Tiny Desk). The recording will soon be made available on globalsoundconcerts.com.

You can learn more at saltairemusic.com, find their music on all major streaming platforms, and follow them on instagram @saltaire__

“Listening to Dublin-based folk trio Saltaire feels like being told a scary story from which you can’t tear yourself away, and they’ve done it again with Matty Groves” - Hot Press

"...completely blown away by the effortlessly beautiful vocals of lead singer Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz...one thing that really stands out on each of their tracks is that energy and rawness of a trad session is captured perfectly; you can feel the emotion on each track..." - Lewis Nevin (NuMuze)

"Saltaire bring musical mastery and a deep understanding of the traditions they inhabit. The EP moves effortlessly between traditional Irish textures and moments that lean toward bluegrass and country influences, creating a sound that feels both rooted and expansive" - Peter Burrows (Hidden Track)