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From Trafalgar Square to global stages: BIIRD's meteoric rise
An 11-piece all-female Irish traditional music collective, BIIRD, stunned 10,000 spectators in London's Trafalgar Square on St Patrick's Day 2024-despite many members meeting for the first time just hours earlier. Two years on, the group has sold out venues across the UK and Ireland, toured stadiums alongside Ed Sheeran, and cultivated a worldwide fanbase-all without releasing a debut record.
The vision behind the 'Spice Girls of trad'
Founder Lisa Canny, a seven-time All-Ireland harp and banjo champion from County Mayo, had nurtured the concept for nearly a decade. Her goal extended beyond music: to redefine the portrayal of women in traditional and folk genres.
"There are iconic shows like Riverdance and Celtic Woman, but female representation in these productions remains outdated," Canny said. "Our aim is to change that narrative."
Fiddle player and harpist Sal Heneghan described Canny as "the baddie of trad," known for defying conventions. "There's never been anything like this in traditional music-an all-female group with a bold, grungy aesthetic," Heneghan added.
A band born from networks, not auditions
BIIRD wasn't assembled through formal auditions. Instead, Canny drew from her connections in the traditional music scene, bringing together musicians already familiar with each other's work. The group's size fluctuates between eight and 11 members, depending on the performance.
"She handpicked us all, and suddenly we were 11. She just said, 'We're going with this now.' We're all so unique, and she wanted a stage for every one of us."
Zoran Donohoe, concertina player from County Cavan
A bold aesthetic and unshakable roots
BIIRD's visual identity is as striking as their sound. Collaborating with Irish designers like Simone Rocha and Paul Costelloe, the group embraces sustainable, theatrical costumes-corsets, glitter, and dark tones-marking a sharp departure from the stereotypical image of Irish folk musicians.
"Our first photoshoot turned heads in the trad world," Donohoe recalled. "We were wearing things we'd never imagine, but now we love it. It's like wearing a costume every day."
Flautist and singer Miadhachlughain O'Donnell, from County Down, admitted the outfits took adjustment. "I usually wear tracksuits, so performing in restrictive clothing was a learning curve."
Despite their modern styling, BIIRD insists their music remains firmly rooted in tradition, blending Irish lilting with fiddles, flutes, harps, banjos, cello, and concertina.
From pub sessions to stadiums with Ed Sheeran
The band's journey from intimate gigs to global stages began with word-of-mouth praise. Their breakthrough came after an impromptu session with Ed Sheeran at a County Wexford pub during the 2023 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
"He instantly said, 'You're great-come on tour. What do you need?' It was amazing."
Zoran Donohoe
Sheeran kept his promise, inviting BIIRD to open for him alongside Beoga, Amble, and Aaron Rowe on his ongoing Loop tour. The group has since performed in stadiums across Australia and New Zealand, where Heneghan-who relocated to Sydney last year-was surprised by their existing fanbase.
"The feedback was incredible. So many Irish people there already knew about us-it was great craic."
Sal Heneghan
Debut album in the works amid relentless touring
BIIRD is currently recording their first album at Decoy Studios in Melton, England. Donohoe described the process as smooth, thanks to the group's chemistry. "We're used to playing together and speaking up if there are issues," she said.
The album is expected to feature original compositions by Canny. Meanwhile, the band prepares to rejoin Sheeran for US tour dates later this year.
A legacy beyond the stage
For O'Donnell, BIIRD's impact extends beyond music. "Younger girls seeing women in this space might inspire them to pick up instruments," she said. "Hopefully, this isn't just our moment-it lives on."
