Clare Sands is a sixth generation fiddle player and bilingual singer from Cork, Ireland.
Drawing deeply from the music of her ancestors, she weaves Traditional Irish roots with
Contemporary sounds and influences. Her songs are deeply connected to place and
where folklore, language, and activism meet melody. Known for her raw and infectious
energy, she embodies a fearless warrior-like spirit, that inspires and unites audiences
around the world.
Her eponymous album secured a place among the Irish Times’ Top 5 Folk Albums of
2022, and earned Sands a Best Folk Singer nomination at the Irish Folk Awards. Other
notable projects include the ‘hypnotic and tribal’ (BBC Radio 2) Tírdhreacha agus
Fuaimdhreacha (Landscapes & Soundscapes) EP, written and recorded across the four
seasons in the four provinces of Ireland and Gormacha, a musical odyssey that treads a
path between ancient Ireland and our natural world. Sands' passion for
collaboration has led her to perform with some of Ireland’s finest folk and traditional
musicians, including Hothouse Flowers, Paul Brady, Susan O’Neill, Niamh Regan and Sharon Shannon.
Her innovative musical creations are matched by electrifying live performances - Clare
brings her audiences on an exhilarating journey full of hope, celebration and heart.
Recent festival appearances include Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival (UK),
Fête De la Musique (FR), Festival Cervantino (MEX) and Port Fairy Folk Festival (AUS).
With a new album being released in Autumn 2026, Clare is showing no signs of slowing
down. She stands as a testament to the enduring power of music to unite and inspire - a
troubadour for the modern age, whose melodies resonate across generations and
cultures alike.
This is a Front Bar Gig Book Early.