Cupla

Cupla are an exciting band from Mullaghbawn, Co. Armagh consisting of Emily Shields, Carol Hughes and Conor Murphy. Emily and Carol have been friends since Primary School and have played music together for many years. In fact they are studying A-Levels together at St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook, Newry

 

Their first gig together on stage as Cupla was playing support to Cara Dillon at the Soma Festival in Castlewellan and since then they have played at several festivals including the 2014 Fiddler’s Green Festival in Rostrevor and the Ballyshannon Folk Festival. Both Emily and Carol have also appeared on TG4’s ‘Scor Encore’ Series.

 

Carol is an All Ireland whistle playing champion and has made several TV appearances. Whilst Emily has played for many years with her family group and went through to the Finals of TG4’s ‘Feis and Blood’. In 2004 she recorded the CD ‘Christmas in Ireland’ which raised substantial funds for Newry Hospice. Emily’s Granny, Mary McQuaid from Rostrevor passed away in Newry Hospice and this was Emily’s way of thanking the Hospice for everything they did for her.

 

In 2012 Emily recorded a second CD called ‘Feels like Home’ to raise funds for the St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook, Foreign Project Schemes in Kenya and Romania. Over the years Emily has raised over £10,000 for various charities through her singing.

 

Joining Emily and Carol on the night is Conor Murphy who will also be appearing with the band Cúig on the Friday evening at the festival.

 

Cupla will be supporting the Fureys at the Sunday evening concert and we are delighted to welcome them for their debut at the festival.