John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and
dreamer. Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live
performances captivate audiences around the world.
As an artist his music appeals to listeners across many genres and generations. His vocal
style has a unique almost sean-nós like quality and his performances shimmer with the
magic realism that permeates many of his songs as he effortlessly flits between beautiful
poetry tinged with melancholy to roguish, irreverent humour. John has the ability to charm,
mesmerise and entertain in equal measure.
A native of Cork, the County he lovingly describes as “the centre of the universe” and a source
of huge creative influence throughout his career. John’s music is inspired by and encapsulates
Irish traditional music in its contemporary form – a reflection of Ireland today.
A two-time Meteor Award winner for Best Folk/Trad act John is one of the most accomplished
songwriters in Ireland. With an extensive back catalogue beginning with the 1997 album The
Wells of the World, his songs have been covered by Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Sean Keane
and many others. Twelve albums later in April 2021, John released his first independent album
in 20 years, 100 Snow White Horses.
John Spillane shared his most artistically ambitious work to date: Fíoruisce – The Legend of
the Lough, on Friday 13th September 2024. The concept album, released on double CD and
digital, features John alongside a stellar cast of collaborators: Ríoghnach Connolly, Eoghan Ó
Ceannabháin, Niamh Farrell, Nell Ní Chróinín, and more and has gone on to be named as
‘Album of The Year’ at the RTE Folk Awards.