For Folk's Sake create something timeless

Some bands arrive on the music scene so fully formed and polished it seems as if they’re destined for greater things and one such band is traditional trio, the humorously named, ‘For Folk’s Sake’, who play regularly in Ballina in An Sean Shebeen. 

While the band is currently without a residency, they thoroughly enjoy playing various venues and aim to continue doing so. 

Not content to rest on their laurels, the band also traverse the length and breadth of the county and even travel over to Austria to regularly perform in an Irish bar chain. The band comprises three Killala natives-  Emma Holmes - flute, whistle, vocals; Oisín O’Donnell – guitar and vocals; and Cara Donnelly - harp and concertina.

"We also play in many pubs across Mayo, some of our favourites being Doherty’s No. 9 Mulranny, Connolly’s Carrowtiege and Clann Lir, Belmullet," they explained. "However, we are also regulars in the McMullen’s Irish Bar chain in Austria! We spent Paddy’s Day 2024 in McMullen’s in Leoben and McMullen’s in Klagenfurt and we spent Paddy’s Day 2025 in McMullen's Klagenfurt and McMullen’s Villach. We’re returning to Austria at the end of July for the Rettl Romantik Kirchtag."

Queried if the band only performs covers, they answered in the affirmative.

"At the minute we only do covers, however we often put our own twist on the arrangement of the song to make it our own." 

All three members hail from Killala and like many musicians from the not-so-sleepy town were indoctrinated into and encouraged to perform traditional music from a young age. The members of For Folk’s Sake spoke fondly of growing up in the North-west and forming the band some two and a half years ago.

"We’ve all been playing music since we could talk! We all come from Killala and we grew up surrounded by trad music so there was no avoiding it. 

"The three of us have played together with Bofield Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann since we were young kids. However, the idea for For Folk’s Sake came about around October 2022 and we officially formed the band in December of 2022, so about two and a half years ago." 

Despite playing in various venues around Mayo and the regular gigs in Austria, the band don’t have plans for any tours at the minute but "would definitely love to do one in the future".

"We have gigs every weekend for the summer. We’re playing at the Feile Ceoil Oilean Chliara (Clare Island) on July 27th just before we head for Austria on July 29th!" the band concluded.

For Folk’s Sake regularly perform locally in An Sean Shebeen in Ballina and surrounding areas.