An Intimate Evening with Mary Coughlan and special guest Ultan Conlon

Any encounter with Mary Coughlan, one of Ireland’s most revered and enduring performers, is a rare and special tonic. Travelling from her home in Kilmacanogue - on the far side of the parish – to join us, this is a rare chance to see Mary in such an intimate setting. 

The evening will begin with a soulful and honest conversation with filmmaker Alan Gilsenan and will then be followed by a full concert where Mary will be joined on stage by the brilliant singer-song writer Ultan Conlan, along with longtime musical collaborators Miceál O’Connor and Diarmuid Lally. 

Mary’s seminal first album Tired and Emotional rocketed her to overnight fame in 1985, and fifteen albums later, her ability to deeply connect with both the song and her audience remains undiminished, a testament to her inner strength and to the power of redemption. 

Mary is truly in a league of her own, her glorious husky voice pulling every ounce of emotion from the music. This is the real thing, sung from the depths of her soul, a survivor who - to paraphrase Leonard Cohen - “was born with the gift of a golden voice.” This is why she is so loved.

Mary Coughlan

Mary Coughlan is one of Ireland's most revered and enduring performers, widely regarded as one of the country's greatest female jazz and blues singers. Over a remarkable career spanning more than four decades, she has built a devoted international following through her uniquely powerful voice, emotional honesty and uncompromising artistry. Often described as "Ireland's Billie Holiday", Coughlan's music blends jazz, blues and chanson influences with a distinctive Irish sensibility. Her breakthrough album, Tired and Emotional, brought her to national prominence in 1985, and the years since have seen her release a celebrated catalogue of work exploring love, loss, resilience and redemption. Her ability to connect deeply with both song and audience remains undiminished, making her one of Ireland's most compelling live performers. Having overcome significant personal challenges, including childhood trauma and addiction, Coughlan has channelled her life experiences into music of extraordinary depth and authenticity. As The Guardian observed, "Her life story gives weight to the truth that the best singers are the ones with the most painful lives." In 2024, Mary celebrated 40 years in music with the release of her acclaimed album Repeat Rewind, a deeply personal and reflective collection that showcases both her trademark wit and her remarkable emotional range. Four decades after her debut, Mary Coughlan continues to captivate audiences with a voice and presence that remain truly unique.