About
A Story Steeped in Sound
Fiárock is a band that celebrates the traditional music of Ireland with a new and refreshing sound. With a wide palette of colours from bright and driving to lush and intricate, the group’s masterful arrangements reflect the depth and diversity of each of its members. Hailing from both sides of the Atlantic, the quartet brings together their combined experiences in several musical traditions to weave a rich tapestry that is both authentic and unique, bound together with a passion that can be felt in every tune and song.
Clíona Halley
Concertina
Clíona Halley is a concertina, fiddle and traditional piano player from Castlemartyr, Co. Cork. Besides Irish traditional music, she is also fully trained on classical violin and piano. Clíona has performed worldwide and was part of the Comhaltas Tour of Ireland, Britain and Canada in 2014. In 2019, she performed on the main stage at Disneyland Paris for St. Patrick's Day. She recently represented Ireland, performing Irish music at the World Expo in Dubai. Clíona has many accolades to her name, which includes being part of the 2019 Oireachtas na Samhna winning traditional music duet. Clíona completed her Masters in Irish Traditional Music Performance at the University of Limerick in 2019 and graduated with a First Class Honours. She enjoys teaching concertina workshops at festivals around Ireland and has recently been a tutor at the renowned Meitheal Summer School.
Nicolle Fig
Bodhrán, Singer
Nicolle Fig was born in Mexico City. Years later, she moved to Texas and then Ireland, where she developed a passion for Irish culture, its music and its people. Nicolle specialises in bodhrán and traditional singing. Nicolle’s distinctive lyrical style of bodhrán playing has made her a highly sought-after musician and accompanist, both at home and abroad. She is also an in-demand teacher. Her success is reflected by her large following on YouTube, where she has developed a strong professional reputation as a welcoming and skillful teacher. Nicolle attended the University of Limerick, where she studied under renowned masters of music. She graduated with Honours in 2016 and later in 2020 and earned both a BA and an MA in Irish Traditional Music Performance. Recently, Nicolle had the honour of representing Ireland at the World Expo in Dubai 2020 and toured in Spain with Crisol – Flamenco Celt.
Evan Powell
Piano
Evan’s love for the piano reaches back to his early years, but his journey into Irish traditional music began while studying for his Bachelor’s degree in jazz performance at Florida State University. His style of accompaniment bears the subtle tracings of his jazz roots, where the intricate harmonies of artists such as Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett hold a strong influence. He is also a passionate educator, and has been a guest lecturer on the topics of harmony and improvisation both in the United States and abroad. He currently resides in Austin, Texas where he works as a web developer.
Darragh Carey-Kennedy
Banjo
Darragh Carey-Kennedy is an Irish traditional banjo player from Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. He has won numerous All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil titles in a range of different instruments, including the mandolin and miscellaneous competitions. Darragh recently graduated with a First Class Honours Bachelor’s degree in Irish Music from the University of Limerick. He was also a recipient of the FLCM from the London College of Music in Irish Traditional Music Performance. Darragh recently received his TTCT qualification from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and achieved the high achiever's award in this course. He has been teaching Irish traditional music from a very young age and has given workshops on the banjo at various festivals, including Scoil Éigse at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2019 and 2021 and Meitheal Irish Traditional Music Summer School in 2022. Darragh is currently the Youth Officer of his local Comhaltas branch and loves promoting Irish traditional music to the younger generation.