This fresh contemporary folk outfit brings together three distinct musical voices, shaped by years of performing in acclaimed Irish traditional and folk bands, and as sought-after session musicians. Comprised of singer/cellist Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz, guitarist Ian Kinsella and bodhrán/bouzouki player Conor Lyons, their combined experience fuels a bold and dynamic sound; fusing Irish and American folk styles they weave haunting, ethereal stories to create original songs, reimagined folk ballads and traditional tunes. With the deep resonance of cello, the rhythmic pulse of bodhrán, and the melodic interplay of guitar and bouzouki, they craft a fresh yet rich folk sound that feels both timeless and nostalgic. Self-dubbed ‘a band of backers’, Saltaire’s music is a collective experience, rooted in collaboration and expanding outward via close friendships with some of Ireland’s most talented musicians in the folk and Irish traditional space. Some of these collaborators and co-conspirators include Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Ryan McAuley, Natalie Ní Chasaide, Laura Jo, Lucia Mac Partlin and more.
At the end of February this year, Saltaire unveiled their highly anticipated debut EP, Only Moonlight, to critical acclaim (Hot Press, RTÉ, including multiple RTÉ Radio 1 Recommends List additions, Irish Music Magazine, BBC Ulster, NuMuze, The Dublin Gazette, Hidden Track, etc). They were selected as official showcase artists at the Your Roots Are Showing folk music conference in Belfast, as well as the Culture Ireland TradFest showcase in Dublin, and have since been invited to perform across Europe, Australia, and the United States. Kicking off with the Culture Ireland Australia showcase tour at the end of May that culminated with a debut performance at the National Celtic Folk Festival in Portarlington, followed by a Fête de la Musique concert at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris in June, multiple festival appearances and gigs across Ireland to be announced, then in 2027 festival appearances to be announced in the US and Canada.
In March, Saltaire were selected by world renown producer/audio engineer Josh Rogosin (NPR Tiny Desk) to participate in the Dublin edition of his Global Sound Concert series, where they performed and recorded live in the iconic Windmill Lane Recording Studios. The concert is now available to watch at the Global Sound Concerts YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iwo_c3v1so
Saltaire can perform as a 3-6 piece, depending on venue, preference, fee, etc.
Sample tech spec -
For all enquiries please contact:
sheena@amplifyagency.ie // rhi@amplifyagency.ie // saltairemusic@gmail.com
Saltaire EPK
Following their haunting debut original single ‘The Axe’, which earned RTÉ Radio 1 Recommends inclusion, and their compelling rendition of ‘Matty Groves’, new single ‘Slip Jigs & Jenny’s’ continues to frame Saltaire’s ascent as compelling new players in the contemporary Irish folk and trad scene. Their highly anticipated debut EP, Only Moonlight, is out on February 27th.
The Axe
‘The Axe’ is an enthralling contemporary take on the ancient ‘murder ballad’ sub-genre of folk music. The song is inspired by the true story of the infamous Axeman of New Orleans, a serial killer who terrorised the city between 1918 and 1919. A bizarre and unsettling story, Saltaire explores the incident through music steeped in the macabre, navigating themes of fear, bigotry, the sensationalising of tragedy in pop culture/media, and the ways in which collective terror can either splinter or bind a community of people together.
Matty Groves
On the inspiration behind the single, Saltaire vocalist and cellist Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz shares: “We draw a lot of inspiration from boundary pushing folk bands of the 60s and 70s like Pentangle and Fairport Convention. The Fairport version of ‘Matty Groves’ has always riled me up - it's mischievous and dark, and sexy in a folky sort of way, so we used that as the springboard foundation for our own interpretation. This particular melody, commonly used in different adaptations of ‘Matty Groves’, shares its tune with the traditional Appalachian folk song ‘Shady Grove’, so we were really fortunate to have our friend and master 5-string banjo player Ryan McAuley bring that old-time character to the track.”
Slip Jigs & Jenny’s
With ‘The Axe’ and ‘Matty Groves’ introducing Saltaire as songwriters and folk collectors, ‘Slip Jigs & Jenny’s’ establishes the traditional instrumental dimension of what Saltaire has to offer. The track introduces Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz’s cello not only as an atmospheric and textural foundation to the Saltaire sound, but as a leading melody player in its own right. The entrance of other instruments taking over the melody (flute by Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, banjo by Ryan McAuley, piano by Catherine McHugh) atop a powerful and lush accompaniment foundation by Ian Kinsella and Conor Lyons on guitar/bouzouki/bodhran, opens up a mesmeric and multi-dimensional space for harmony and countermelody amongst all the players.
EP - Only Moonlight
The title ‘Only Moonlight’ directly references one of the lyrics from track 4, a cover of Lungs by Townes Van Zandt. The line: ‘Gather up the gold you’ve found, you fool its only moonlight’, suggests something transient, something illusory or unreliable - sometimes being a musician feels something like that; we try to gather gold in what we create and navigate the shifting shadows of doubt. This feels like a fitting and symbolic title for a debut EP.
All the tracks on the EP (including singles) were engineered, co-produced, and mixed by Alex Borwick. They were recorded at Black Mountain Studios and mastered by Seán Mac Erlaine. Artwork was done by Rachel Kenny.
Private soundcloud link to forthcoming EP -
“Listening to Dublin-based folk trio Saltaire feels like being told a scary story from which you can’t tear yourself away, and they’ve done it again with Matty Groves”
-Hot Press
Saltaire: a folk super-band. In the ever fertile landscape of Irish folk music, new groups often emerge carrying the tradition forward while gently bending it toward new horizons. The trio Saltaire do exactly that on their debut EP Only Moonlight, bringing together seasoned musicians whose collective experience give them quiet confidence and polish. Saltaire bring musical mastery and a deep understanding of the traditions they inhabit. The EP moves effortlessly between traditional Irish textures and moments that lean toward bluegrass and country influences, creating a sound that feels both rooted and expansive.
- Hidden Track
“Hauntingly beautiful; The music Saltaire creates is made for movie soundtracks. On my first listen of Saltaire I was completely blown away by the effortlessly beautiful vocals of lead singer Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz …
One thing that really stands out on each of their tracks is that energy and rawness of a trad session that is captured perfectly. You can feel the emotion on each track.”
- NuMuze
“Self styled as a dark-folk trio, [Saltaire] looks set to be one of the most exciting folk/trad groups to have emerged so far this year … On Only Moonlight, wherever you look, the musical reflection is dazzling”
- Sean Laffey, Irish Music Magazine
Saltaire Recently ~
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TradFest 2026 Culture Ireland Showcase - Dublin
Friday January 23rd 1:00-3:00PM
Saltaire are excited to announce that they will be showcasing at TradFest Dublin 2026 (supported by Culture Ireland) on Friday, the 23rd of January at the Grand Social
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Trad Folkin' Rocks at the Sugar Club
Saturday January 24th 8:00PM (doors 7:30)
Saltaire will be joining a killer lineup of trad and folk rabble rousers - don’t miss it
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Culture Ireland Australia tour - National Celtic Festival
Saltaire will be travelling across Australia alongside Séamus and Caoimhe and The Bath Street Boys, culminating in a debut appearance at the National Celtic Festival in Portarlington.
Upcoming ~
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Fête de la Musique 2026
Sunday June 21st - 6-10pm
For more than ten years now, the CCI’s Fête de la Musique has gathered several thousand people in the courtyard in an atmosphere that is both warm and festive. This year will be no exception: we will welcome three bands and artists, once again showcasing the vitality and richness of the Irish musical scene. This edition will focus on traditional music, featuring a unique Irish-Cypriot bouzouki collective and a high-energy folk band, Saltaire. The evening will end with the irresistible actress and soul singer Bronagh Gallagher, described as a “gem” by Dave Stewart and “pure talent” by Brian Eno. Oscillating between strength, audacity, and sensitivity, this promises to be another unforgettable evening!
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Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026
Saltaire will be joining the Trad Folkin’ Rocks lineup at this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Date and time TBA
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Electric Picnic 2026 - Spike Island
Saltaire will be making their EP debut on the Spike Island stage this year - Sunday Aug 30, time TBA
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