The Whileaways & Uproar Choir. Monday 28th December 2026

Clonmel World Music Presents:

The Whileaways (Ire)

with Special Guests UpRoar Choir

Monday 28th December 2026

The Abymill Theatre Fethard

Doors 7pm;

UpRoar Choir onstage 8pm;

The Whileaways onstage 8.45pm

Clonmel World Music is delighted to present The Whileaways, for its annual Christmas gig, on Monday 28^th December 2026. This is the fourth annual Christmas show with the Whileaways

Special guests on the night will be Clonmel’s UpRoar Choir, who will open the night, and sing a few songs with The Whileaways.

The Whileaways are a wonderful trio of songwriters, singers and musicians, formed in Galway in 2012. They have released four critically acclaimed albums, and are currently in the studio working on a fifth album.

Noriana Kennedy, Noelie Mc Donnell and Nicola Joyce had each toured and recorded extensively with their separate projects before coming together as The Whileaways. Indeed, each had played gigs and festivals all over the world and over a dozen recordings to their collective credit when they bsaveas egan to admire each other’s singing at gigs and sessions in their home-town of Galway.

When a tour of Australia presented itself in 2012, they decided to test the water as a trio. They were hailed as ‘a knockout of the festival’ at the legendary Port Fairy Folk Festival in Australia, and the success of that tour prompted the release of their critically acclaimed debut album the following year.

Acknowledging this coming together of independent forces, The Irish Times in it’s four-star review at the time said : “This is an audacious debut … from musicians whose experience pays ample dividends here”. Following the path carved out by their eponymous debut, the band’s 2015 release ‘Saltwater Kisses’ gave them band their firm footing in the Irish roots music scene. These three singers are cut from the same cloth and weave a tapestry of harmonies and beautifully crafted original songs. Their sound is true and their delivery is undeniably captivating.

The various life experiences in different places at different times have led by some musical alchemy to The Whileaways, a band of “perfected simplicity”, who combine their respective voices in sublime harmonies, singing songs the have mined from their own lived lives and the lives of others. By extension, they sing about the lives of all of us who have known family, love, loss and/or who have a sense of place.

A successful 2018 ended with a performance in Vicar Street as part of the  ‘RTE Folk Awards’ in which they were nominated for ‘Best Album’ and ‘Best Folk Group’.

The Whileaways are renowned for their live performances.

All three “Whileaways” are part of the much-lauded show Bird On The Wire, a collaboration with Pauline Scanlon which features a ten-piece band including strings, and explores the songs of songwriting  icon Leonard Cohen.

Noelie is also very busy as a member of The Sawdoctors, who are back playing to Sold Out audiences all over Ireland, The UK and The USA. Nicola is also a member of a great 4 piece group, The Half Set, with Pauline Scanlon, and Noriana is always busy with different projects!

Reviews:

“the sound of a fine band honing a distinctive sound” Lauren Murphy, Sunday Times Culture 

“Among the finest singers in the country…deceptively simple and deeply affecting…absolutely stunning melodies and harmonies” Hot Press

“Prepare to be spellbound” Sligo Live Festival.

“hollers for a chance to be heard in a live setting, so rich is its lyrical tapestry”  Siobhan Long, Irish Times

“a knockout and one of the best acts at the festival” – Sandy Brady, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Australia

“this bands musical penchant: perfected simplicity” – Colleen Taylor, The Irish Echo

Special Guests for the show are the UpRoar Choir from Clonmel.

UpRoar choir are fresh from the success of their Sold Out annual Christmas charity concert, in Old St Mary’s Church. All 30 members of UpRoar will be performing on the night in Fethard, in what will be an unforgettable night of songs and music.

Known for their powerhouse performances and eclectic repertoire, UpRoar Choir promises an unforgettable opening set. The Abymill Theatre will provide the perfect backdrop for this one-of-a-kind experience, showcasing the choir’s versatility and passion for delivering soul-stirring renditions.
UpRoar Choir are celebrated for seamlessly blending rock and choral elements. The performance will feature a diverse range of songs, from classic rock anthems to contemporary hits.