Ciarán Moran writes about the Dublin he knows.
In Episode 5 of Two Auld Folkers, Gerry Browne and Mick O’Brien sit down with the singer-songwriter for a lively conversation about music, family, community, songwriting and the road from Dublin’s inner city to major stages at home and abroad.
Ciarán started writing songs at 13. He talks about the youth clubs giving him room to learn, the people who encouraged him, and the early influence of Sparky, a youth worker who introduced him to songwriting and stayed part of his life long after those first sessions.
One of Ciarán’s earliest songs was about a neighbour living with heroin addiction. Other young writers around him were writing about sunshine, flowers and everyday subjects. Ciarán wrote about what he saw around him.
This instinct still shapes his work.
His songs draw from Dublin flats, family life, addiction, loyalty and community. He speaks about his EP Life in Our City and why he avoids being boxed into one genre. Folk, rock, ballads and heavier material all sit inside his music.
The conversation also turns to a major run of live shows in 2024.
Ciarán recalls supporting The Wolfe Tones across three nights at the 3Arena. He talks about the nerves, the preparation and the detail behind those performances. The band rehearsed the set, planned the lighting and worked through the opening so everyone knew what to expect once they walked onstage.
Two days later, Ciarán was in New York for five gigs, including a show at The Dead Rabbit. He speaks about treating each trip as an experience to enjoy, rather than another step on a career ladder.
There are plenty of laughs along the way.
A support slot with Macy Gray leads to Ciarán admitting he knew fewer of her songs than he first thought. The story soon ends up with a joke about finding a Macy Gray tribute act in Finglas.
Mick brings the Irish folk music history into the room. Gerry brings the stories.
Before long, the conversation moves through The Fields of Athenry, The Flight of Earls, old recordings, competing versions and the arguments following famous songs for decades.
There is also a memorable detour into Robbie Williams’ Angels and Irish songwriter Ray Heffernan, with Gerry recalling a conversation he had with Ray about the song.
Ciarán speaks openly about the music industry too.
He talks about being overlooked, watching other artists get opportunities and learning to stop measuring his progress against everyone else. His approach now is simple. Put the blinkers on. Keep moving forward. Do your own thing.
Music runs through the episode from start to finish.
Ciarán performs The Old Triangle with a stripped-back feel and follows with The Fields of Athenry, putting the lyric and story at the centre of the performance.
He then performs one of his own songs, Over You, giving Gerry and Mick the chance to hear the writing they had spent much of the episode discussing.
If you enjoy Irish folk music, songwriting and stories rooted in real places and real people, this episode deserves a place in your queue.
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEqF7GEWvT0c
Follow Ciarán Moran:
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ciaranmoranmusicireland
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Produced By Graco Studios:
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Irish Folk Music, The Music Of The People.
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