The Éilís Kennedy Trio: Éilís Kennedy, Jeremy Spencer & Matt Griffin

Growing up in a West Kerry family for whom songs and singing are part of life, it is was no surprise that Éilís Kennedy lives and breathes singing. Like all her family, Éilís is fluent in the Irish language. She sings in Gaelic tradition of the region’s heritage but is well versed in broader folk and non – traditional styles.

Her father Caoímhín was a fine singer, teacher and poet and along with her uncle Muiris and her siblings, particularly her eldest sister Neasa, influenced her singing initially. Exposure to the English ballad tradition and folk revival and later still the rich traditions of American folk saw her songs and choices broaden. Music remained a central and balancing aspect to her life , and when she and her husband opened a bar specialising in traditional music in early 1990s Dingle, it became a mecca for those who had a primary interest in songs. Éilís’ Wednesday night singing sessions were rich in songs, singers and musicians and that tradition continues to this day.

She sings and plays music in John Benny’s Pub, Dingle, and has toured in Europe with guitarist Matt Griffin and fiddle player Jeremy Spencer.

Her first album Time To Sail was released in 2001 to huge critical acclaim and led her to travel with her fellow musicians on a journey which continues today.

From the traditional Amhrán na Leabhar to a cover of Sandy Denny’s Who Knows Where The Time Goesand a funky reworking of The Factory Girl, Eilís’ breadth and versatility shines.

That indefinable quality that raises one singer above the many in these days of talent glut, Éilís has it.  Mel McClellan  BBC Radio 2

Every once in a while, an album comes along which heralds a potentially, major yet underrated vocal talent   Irish  Music  Magazine