Mary Coughlan

Information

DOORS OPEN 7.30PM. EVENT STARTS 8PM.
Over 18's only. Finish time is estimated.
This is a seated event.

Mary Coughlan, widely regarded as Ireland’s greatest jazz and blues singer and described by Hot Press as “one of our most openly raw performers”, comes to Boyle Arts Festival for a special live performance. With a career approaching 40 years, Mary has created some of the most uncompromising, deeply personal and universally resonant music by any Irish artist.

Born in Shantalla, Galway, Mary’s musical roots lie in jazz and blues, inspired by legends such as Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith, while her work also draws from pop, rock, folk and chanson, with Edith Piaf a notable influence. Her powerful voice first came to national attention in 1985 with her debut album Tired and Emotional, leading to appearances on The Late Late Show, a hit single with Delaney’s Gone Back On The Wine, and international tours.

Albums such as Under The Influence, Uncertain Pleasures, and Sentimental Killer cemented her reputation as an emotionally fearless and deeply honest performer. In recent years she has continued to reach new heights, including her acclaimed album Life Stories (2020), and in the same year she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Galway City.

As she approaches her fifth decade in music, audiences now have a rare opportunity to experience Mary Coughlan live in an intimate setting — a performance full of passion, honesty, and unforgettable music.