About
TRÚ, supported by Tia Bow, are headlining the Lisburn & Castlereagh Fringe Fleadh Festival with a free concert in Lisburn Cathedral. The trio’s sophomore offering further explores the intersection between traditional folk material, original songwriting styles and contemporary production techniques.
The band’s name nods to their shared heritage. The trú was a mythological trio of poet-musicians in ancient Ulster. They were revered throughout the Celtic world, some believing their songs and stories came to them from the future. Others maintained that the trú were possessed by spirits during performance. As such, they were considered gatekeepers to the Otherworld.
It’s here where this Northern Irish trio draws their inspiration. Michael Mormecha, Zachary Trouton and Dónal Kearney grew up with different musical palettes, but also came from distinct cultural identities as children of the Peace Agreement in Northern Ireland. The trio has mixed heritage (British-Ukrainian, Ulster-Scots and Irish Nationalist) and together they have fostered an unusual and fruitful collaborative ethos based on respect and exploration. Leaning into their individuality, an eclectic repertoire of influences (from Clannad to Nine Inch Nails via Joni Mitchell and The Beatles) makes for an intriguing chemistry.
TIA BOW (Support)
Tia Bow marks a new chapter for Irish songwriter Fionnuala Fagan-Thiébot, shifting from oral histories to deeply personal storytelling. Her upcoming album, Blackberry Path, due for release in Autumn 2026, blends acoustic and electronic textures with transcendent vocals, synths, strings, guitars and beats, creating compelling soundscapes that explore the space between shadows and sunlight through story-driven lyrics and a fresh take on contemporary folk.
Produced by Michael Mormecha of Tree Song Studios and featuring Irish-Filipino musician Clare Galway, the sound has been described by Hot Press magazine as one that “bridges folk, rock and electronica,” while its singles have already received support from Chordblossom, GoldenPlec, BBC Radio Ulster and RTÉ’s Folk on One.
