BIO
Ciara McNally is a rising singer-songwriter from Carlow, Ireland, whose heartfelt lyrics and melodic instinct have earned her national and international recognition from a young age.
Ciara’s musical journey began early—by the age of 14, she had already written over forty original songs and taught herself guitar, keyboards, and drums. Her original song "Complicated," written at just 12 years old, was a finalist in the prestigious International Songwriting Competition (ISC) in Nashville, competing against thousands of entries from around the world.
Her influences range from Adrianne Lenker, Grouper, Elliott Smith and Tori Amos, shaping a sound that blends intimate indie sounds with classic singer-songwriter storytelling.
Ciara has performed at Visual Carlow’s Live & Local series, represented her hometown at the Irish Youth Music Awards, and featured in local initiatives like Carlow’s Busking Festival, where her raw talent resonated with audiences and mentors alike. She’s also developed her craft through workshops with artists such as Luan Parle.
With a voice that carries honesty and warmth, Ciara McNally is carving out a name as one of Carlow’s most promising musical voices. She continues to write, perform, and evolve—laying the foundation for a bright future in music..
Ciara’s interview and songs with Martin Bridgeman
“Ciara McNally was brought to my attention during the early part of the Summer in 2025. She came highly recommended by people in the Carlow music scene and no wonder: Olivia is a hugely talented songwriter with a quiet ambition to match.
She visited the studio for “Ceol Anocht”, and I was very taken with Olivia’s approach to songwriting. There’s care and attention to the lyrics and you hear potential in each song. You get the sense that there’s clear thinking to potential arrangements, but on their own, they carry a weight.
One or two of the lyrics hit hard with a definite edge, an iron fist in a musical velvet glove. Olvia is one to watch and she deserves all the good things that are her due” - Martin Bridgeman