About | Sinne

Brian Ó hEadhra | Fionnag NicChoinnich perform songs from the Gaelic, Scots and Irish traditions as well as newly composed material drawing inspiration from music and cultures primarily from the North Atlantic fringe.  

Brian grew up in St John's, Newfoundland, Canada, and Dublin, Ireland.  Fionnag is from the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. They are based in Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands. Over the past 25 years, they have performed across the globe and recorded on many albums with acts such as Anam, Cruinn and Mackenzie, as well as performing on various projects including international films and game soundtracks.  Fionnag received the Gaelic Singer of the Year award at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards 2020 whilst Brian was nominated for the same award in 2019.  

The duo has released three albums; "TÌR - Highland Life & Lore", "TUATH - Songs of the Northlands", and "Càirdeas".  TÌR was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2018 International Folk Awards.  All albums have received high critical and public acclaim with TÌR being described as “…destined to become a classic of contemporary folk music... an inspired, beautiful album” by Folk Radio and TUATH as a "masterpiece" by Irish Music Magazine.  Their latest album Càirdeas was released in 2021 and was described by Irish Music Magazine as "one of the most appealing acoustic albums of the year... this is a work of deep cultural importance... the album is a model for every artist who has something to say and sing about."

"Brian Ó hEadhra and Fionnag NicChoinnich are two extraordinary artists... Both are outstanding singers and songwriters and some of the best voices in the world of Gaelic language." World Music Central

"The most vocally talented, versatile and engaging male vocalist in Gaeldom."  fRoots

Brian Ó hEadhra

Based in Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland, Brian Ó hEadhra is an acclaimed singer and songwriter performing with acts Brian Ó hEadhra | Fionnag NicChoinnich, Cruinn, and McKerron Brechin Ó hEadhra.  Performing traditional and contemporary music and song, he has toured the globe with the band Anam and has recorded on over twenty albums over a thirty-year career. 

Having been brought up in Newfoundland, Canada and Ireland, as well as having strong links with Scandinavia, Brian draws inspiration from our rich North Atlantic cultures and societies.  

Brian has worked in arts management and Gaelic development over many years and works part-time as Partnership & Development Manager for Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Scotland's Gaelic language board. 

Brian is a trustee of Findhorn Bay Arts, co-convener/founder of the North Atlantic Song Collective (NASC) and owner of Inverness-based educational and cultural organisation Ealantas. He owns and runs an independent record and music publishing company Anam Communications.  Brian holds a BA Hons degree in Irish Folklore and English Literature from University College Dublin.  

www.brian-oheadhra.com

Fionnag NicChoinnich

Fionnag NicChoinnich is from the Isle of Lewis and has been singing and writing music in Gaelic and English from a young age.  She has performed in bands and projects including Seelyhoo, Mackenzie, Anam, Cruinn, and Struileag.

She released a solo album entitled Elevate on Linn Records in 2006 which received high critical acclaim.  In 2017 she sang and performed on two major media projects; The Outlaw King - a Netflix film which came out in 2018 and the computer game  The Bard’s Tale IV.  

Fionnag NicChoinnich received the Gaelic Singer of the Year award at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards 2020 whilst Brian was nominated for the same award in 2019. 

Fionnag has worked as a music tutor for various youth projects in the Highlands including the Youth Music Initiative, run by Fèis Rois, Eden Court classes and Arts Play.  She currently works in archiving in the Highlands.  

“Her voice ranges from gentle and tender to full and forceful, while her lyrics are always thought provoking and insightful. She also has a particularly ingenious turn of phrase, writing lyrics that invoke emotions on the listener.” 
Living Tradition

“...a magnificent and often hauntingly evocative voice” Audiophile Audition