Mary Coughlan: A Song and a chat

Galway native, Mary Coughlan is joined by axis director Mark O’Brien for a song and a chat as she performs some of her best hits with her band.

St. Patrick’s Festival and axis Ballymun are delighted to present one of Ireland's most important singers recorded live in the axis theatre.

This specially curated intimate gig sees Mary chat to axis Director Mark O'Brien about her work and singing some of her favourite songs.

Galway’s Mary Coughlan is arguably the greatest female singer to have emerged from Ireland in recent times, the equivalent of Irish vocal royalty. The word ‘legend’ is not one to be used lightly, but in this case is entirely appropriate.

“Dubbed as Ireland’s Billie Holiday, Mary is a jazz & blues singer whose life story gives weight to the truth that the best singers are the ones with the most painful lives” (The Guardian). Whether into folk, blues or jazz, no one can fail to be moved by the emotional depth, expression and power in her voice, forged from an extraordinary life.

Her most recent record was released on Hail Mary Records. Life Stories was released in 2020, co-written by Coughlan and the talented producer and composer Pete Glenister.

“Coughlan has with Life Stories delivered a work that confronts life in the round and in the raw rather than offering fake panaceas. These days, we need her more than ever.” Jackie Hayden, Hotpress review.