The Breath, singer and flautist Ríoghnach Connolly (RTÉ Best Folk Singer 2025) and Manchester-based guitarist Stuart McCallum (The Cinematic Orchestra), play the Cairde Sligo Arts Festival this July. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
The duo play Thursday 9 July at 9pm in St. John's Cathedral.
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Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Ríoghnach: I'm from Armagh, I have a daughter named Macha and I think monarchy is immoral.
How would you describe your music?
Stuart: No one has ever really come up with a description that encapsulates everything we do, but alt-folk, with jazz and ambient influences.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Ríoghnach: My grandparents, and a far-reaching familial base covering Armagh, Ardboe, Co. Tyrone, Muineglas, Co. Antrim, Glandore, West Cork and Manchester.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Stuart: Paul McCartney.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Ríoghnach: The Score by The Fugees and Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette on tape.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Stuart: I Punched Through The Wall by Quickly Quickly.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Ríoghnach: It depends on the day. But the entirety of Done by Frazey Ford: "I'm sorry that you don't like your life. But I fought for my own victories and for the beauty in my life."
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Stuart: Brian Eno's generative app Bloom 10.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Ríoghnach: Come to a gig. It's all online. But live is the thing.
Alan Corr
