What might a modern Irish revival look like in today's world?

RTÉ News​

02-06-2025

Noisín Co-founder Cian O'Connell introduces a new series of cultural events 'creating space for a new wave of expression rooted in tradition but alive to the present'.
What does it mean to be Irish today? That's the question at the heart of Nóisin, a collective of Irish creatives based between Amsterdam and Dublin, inspired by the Celtic Revival and Irish Renaissance of the late 1800s. Founded by Mark Toal Lennon and Cian O'Connell, Nóisin began with impromptu music nights - evenings of tunes, stories and spontaneous connection that soon evolved into deeper conversations about identity, heritage and the future of Irish culture.
In those early gatherings, a question emerged again and again: what might a modern Irish revival look like in today's world? For us, it's about more than nostalgia - it's about creating space for a new wave of expression rooted in tradition but alive to the present.
We've found that Irish identity often reveals itself most vividly from a distance. Living abroad can sharpen your sense of home, giving shape to the stories, sounds and symbols that define us. Nóisin's mission is to connect the diaspora and offer a platform for open, collaborative exchange - reimagining Irishness not as something fixed, but as something evolving. We do this through creative projects, live performances, printed matter and public programmes - all designed to celebrate the richness of Irish heritage while making space for new voices and visions.
Our ambition is big, but it's matched by the extraordinary talent we see rising across Ireland.
A highlight from last year was our Listener's Club: Christmas Special, held at Hen's Teeth in December in support of Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). The night was a heartfelt mix of song, story and solidarity, with performances from Was Man and Áine Smyth on fiddle, followed by an impromptu trad session featuring John Francis Flynn. The evening ended on a high with DJ sets by Cian O'Connell, Mark Toal Lennon and artist-producer Sean Kobina, who reinterpreted traditional Irish music through an electronic lens. It was a proper knees-up - a joyous celebration for a vital cause.
Now, we're getting ready to return to Hen's Teeth on Sunday, June 8th, with Rare Auld Times - an afternoon dedicated to Dublin's history and enduring character. Hosted by historian Donal Fallon and soundtracked by musician Phelim Drew, son of the legendary Ronnie Drew, this event will trace the gritty, vibrant soul of the city through story and song. It's a tribute to the people, places and spirit that make Dublin what it is — full of heart, humour and resilience.
Listen to Noisín's Here Comes The Spring mix
Looking ahead, we're expanding our work by platforming emerging Irish artists, curating new listening parties and publishing collaborative works. We're also investing in visual storytelling and design to explore fresh ways of expressing Irish heritage. Whether through zines, film, or sound, we're excited to keep asking — and answering — that central question: what does Irishness mean today?
Our ambition is big, but it's matched by the extraordinary talent we see rising across Ireland. We're always open to collaborations, so if you've got an idea, let's talk.
Grá mór,