Clare Sands “The Breath” with Rioghnach Connolly, Stephanie Keane

An unforgettable highlight of the Ballincollig Winter Music Festival, The Breath brought together three extraordinary Irish artists—Clare Sands, Ríoghnach Connolly, and Stephanie Keane—for a boundary-breaking celebration of music, movement, and connection.

Clare Sands is a sixth-generation fiddler, bilingual singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist known for her fearless fusion of traditional Irish music with contemporary genres like blues, jazz, and spoken word. Her performances are a visceral experience—ritualistic, raw, and rhythmically rich. With a reputation for deeply collaborative and socially conscious work, Clare’s musical world is one of inclusion, celebration, and powerful feminine energy.

Joining her was Ríoghnach Connolly, the irrepressible vocalist and flautist best known as the frontwoman of BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winning The Breath and as part of Honeyfeet. With a voice that soars from delicate whispers to thunderous cries, Ríoghnach embodies the spirit of folk rebellion and soulful improvisation. Her charisma and command lit up the room with both humour and depth.

Stephanie Keane, a contemporary Irish dancer of extraordinary emotional range and physical presence, brought a visual storytelling element that elevated the performance beyond music alone. Her rhythmic dialogue with Sands’ fiddle and Connolly’s vocals created a mesmerising interplay of tradition and innovation—feet echoing heartbeats, movement echoing melody.

Together, the trio delivered a performance that was elemental and electric—drawing from the well of Irish heritage while carving new paths forward. The Breath was more than a concert; it was a celebration of womanhood, wildness, and creative freedom—captivating an audience that left The White Horse both moved and transformed