Mary Coughlan

Mary Coughlan is travelling from her home in Kilmacanogue - on the far side of the parish - to celebrate the opening of The Shaking Bog Festival with an intimate and highly sought-after concert.

Mary Coughlan is arguably one of Ireland’s greatest and most beloved jazz and blues singers, a true artist who has carved out a timeless and highly regarded career and legions of devoted fans worldwide. Described as “Ireland’s Billie Holiday" Mary has overcome many obstacles and trauma to become a musical force like no other.

“Her life story gives weight to the truth that the best singers are the ones with the most painful lives”
- The Guardian‍

Her seminal first album Tired and Emotional rocketed her to overnight fame in 1985, and fifteen albums later, her ability to deeply connect with both the song & her audience remains undiminished, a testament to her inner strength and to the power of redemption.

Mary is in a league of her own, her glorious husky voice pulling every ounce of emotion from the music. This is the real thing, sung from the depths of her soul, a survivor who - to paraphrase Leonard Cohen - “was born with the gift of a golden voice.” This is why she is so loved. Resonant with the grief of Billie Holiday, the soul of Van Morrison and the defiance of Edith Piaf, to hear Mary sing is to hear the depths of the human heart. ‍

“A song is not complete unless it has been sung by Mary Coughlan.”
- Melody Maker