Australian-based Áine for home gig to mark Return to the Sea

Groove Tube with Cian O’Connell

Few singer-songwriters can boast a catalogue of music as eclectic as that of Áine Tyrrell.  The Clare native’s sound has benefitted from both her Irish upbringing and her time living and performing in Australia where she is currently based. Undoubtedly encouraged by the songs of her father, famed folk singer Seán Tyrrell, Áine draws on a variety of sounds and cultures in her work.

On Saturday September 7, she plays Galway City’s Black Gate Centre as part of a highly anticipated Irish tour. The show comes roughly six months after the release of Áine’s second full-length album Return to the Sea. The 11-track LP is as diverse and mesmerising as might be expected. With a broad range of genres and influences spanning multiple continents, it is an album that raises questions of identity and belonging, while simultaneously showing Áine at her most patriotic.

“Growing up, my Mum was American and my Dad was Irish,” she recalls. “So, from the start, there was never really an easy answer. Then, living in Australia and playing music over here, I suppose you’re never considered Australian within the music community here – you’re in the ‘World music’ bracket or something different. I find the same when I go home to Ireland that because I’m not living there, I’m not really part of the music community that’s there all the time. I feel very welcomed and there are lovely connections with Irish musicians that are out here touring in Australia but at the same time, my identity is never anywhere, if you know what I mean.”

Galway is something of a second home for Áine. With family ties and fond memories of gigs here, September is set to offer a welcome return to the city. She points to the value of Irish audiences in cultivating a powerful show.

“My family are all from Galway – my Nana and all my cousins and aunties and my Dad,” she notes. “For me, coming to Galway is like coming home. I played a show there two years ago and it was just beautiful. I remember the first show I did when I landed was in Mayo with Declan O’Rourke. I was like ‘Oh I haven’t played in Ireland for so long, I’m not sure they’re gonna get it’, and Declan said ‘It’s music . . . It doesn’t matter, they’re gonna get it’ and it was just such a beautiful welcome.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app

The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City  and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.