Mother and sons create beautiful harmonies

An Irish family is making their mark on the music industry as their different tastes blend together to create a wonderfully unique sound.

Nóirín Ní Riain is a respected and admired Sean Nós singer in Ireland. Her beautiful voice has captured countless audiences and earned her the reputation as one of the country’s leading performers.

Her two sons Owen and Moley Ó Súilleabháin are also singers and have performed together for years.

When the three family members join forces their harmonies and blend is a joy to behold. They have worked with international stars including Sinéad O’Connor and Russell Crowe in the past.

The three spoke about their sound to Houston Matters, ahead of their performance at the University of St. Thomas’ William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies.

You can listen to the interviews below. Nóirín explained that she has grown up singing after spending many happy times at family gatherings in Co Limerick with her family.

She also identifies that traditionally in Ireland, song is used as a way of dealing with grief and emotions.

In the second audio interview, Owen talks about meeting Russell Crowe. He revealed that he and Moley were hired as part of a choir for an unveiling of a statue of Irish actor Richard Harris.

The brothers then got talking to the Gladiator actor afterwards and they became friends.

Owen and Moley have since performed with Crowe all over the world, and even get to hang out with his band. Moley describes them as “kind of a dishevelled Rat Pack”.

The friendship has also led to Owen and Moley making an appearance in one of Crowe’s movies, Winter’s Tale.

Take a listen to the interviews below and enjoy some of the YouTube videos of the family performing.

Click on the links to visit the websites of Nóirín Ní Riain and Owen and Moley Ó Súilleabháin.