- Mary Coughlan

- Mary Coughlan

Mary Coughlan is one of the finest singers to emerge from Galway and is widely regarded as Ireland’s finest jazz and blues vocalist.  Mary will play all her trademark songs including The Double Cross, Ancient Rain, The Magdalen Laundry and Delaney’s Gone Back on the Wine and her recent cover of the Joy Division song Love Will Tear Us Apart.

The vocal marrying of sardonic wit, visceral rage, orgiastic between-the-sheets passion, the tenderest of sorrowful regrets - this is Mary’s talent. Regardless of the elements she chooses to manipulate with flawless ease, Mary’s voice has always been an unforeseen, sudden seduction.

Whether you’re into folk, blues or jazz, you can’t fail to be moved by the emotional depth, expression and power in her voice, forged from an extraordinary life.

Mary has carved out a timeless and highly regarded career, with a legion of devoted fans worldwide. To hear Mary sing is truly to be at the core of the human heart.

Since her first album ‘Tired and Emotional’ rocketed her to overnight fame in 1985, she has recorded 15 further solo albums. Coughlan has sold out some of the UK’s most prestigious venues and has toured the US, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Scandinavia.

Throughout 30 years of her quite extraordinary life and recording career, Mary has drawn heavily from her legendary heroes: the grievous, teary outpourings of Billie Holiday (to whom she devoted a double album of her songs), the husky flirtations of Peggy Lee, Van Morrison’s soulful wails and the defiant chanteusery of Edith Piaf.

In June 2020, in recognition of Mary’s achievements and immense impact on the culture and arts community in Galway City, the Mayor, Mike Cubbard presented her with a 2020 lifetime achievement award.

The new album “Life Stories” was mostly written and recorded by Pete Glenister and Mary Coughlan at No Name Studio.