John Spillane in concert

John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and

dreamer. Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live

performances captivate audiences around the world.

As an artist his music appeals to listeners across many genres and generations. His vocal

style has a unique almost sean-nós like quality and his performances shimmer with the

magic realism that permeates many of his songs as he effortlessly flits between beautiful

poetry tinged with melancholy to roguish, irreverent humour. John has the ability to charm,

mesmerise and entertain in equal measure.

A native of Cork, the County he lovingly describes as “the centre of the universe” and a source

of huge creative influence throughout his career. John’s music is inspired by and encapsulates

Irish traditional music in its contemporary form – a reflection of Ireland today.

A two-time Meteor Award winner for Best Folk/Trad act John is one of the most accomplished

songwriters in Ireland. With an extensive back catalogue beginning with the 1997 album The

Wells of the World, his songs have been covered by Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Sean Keane

and many others. Twelve albums later in April 2021, John released his first independent album

in 20 years, 100 Snow White Horses.

John Spillane shared his most artistically ambitious work to date: Fíoruisce – The Legend of

the Lough, on Friday 13th September 2024. The concept album, released on double CD and

digital, features John alongside a stellar cast of collaborators: Ríoghnach Connolly, Eoghan Ó

Ceannabháin, Niamh Farrell, Nell Ní Chróinín, and more and has gone on to be named as

‘Album of The Year’ at the RTE Folk Awards