About CUAS

RTÉ Folk Awards 2025 nominees for Best Folk Group and Best Emerging Artist, CUAS, comprising Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich (accordion, vocals), Nicole Ní Dhubhshláine (concertina, flute), Niamh Varian-Barry (fiddle, viola, vocals), and Kyle Macaulay (guitar, bouzouki), formed in early 2023 as a group dedicated to celebrating the vibrant and diverse musical traditions of West Kerry. Inspired by the region’s emotive songs and dynamic dance traditions, the group places the intrinsic connection between listener and performer at the heart of their performances.

CUAS has performed at festivals across Ireland and Europe, including Other Voices, Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Belfast Tradfest, Guinness Irish Festival Sion. Regular performances on national television include include Fáilte 2024, Fleadh Cheoil, Up for the Match, and their own TG4 special, Cuas in Lorient. In 2024, they performed in the National Concert Hall (NCH) with dancer Stephanie Keane as part of the Irish Traditional Music Archive’s Drawing from the Well series.

Their self-titled debut album, released in May 2024, was a live recording captured in Seanscoil a' Chuasa before an intimate audience of friends and is followed up by their first studio album Mo Naomhóigín Ó, released in September 2026.

In spring 2026 they brought an exciting new production Ball Nights to sell-out crowds across Ireland. Celebrating the night-visiting traditions found in West Kerry, the showcase featured CUAS alongside poet Dairena Ní Chinnéide, artist Dómhnal Ó Bric, West Kerry set dancers, and local guest artists.

CUAS Live Album 2024

To us, traditional music is about the inexplicable and intangible connection between performer and listener. For an audience present at a passionate and soulful presentation of traditional music the experience can be truly life changing.

Master musicians Tony MacMahon and Noel Hill successfully captured the raucous energy of Clare music and dance on their 1985 release “i gCnoc na Graí” when they transported the imaginations of listeners worldwide to a crowded pub in Co. Cork.

Indeed, West Kerry music, song, and dance bares many of the hallmark traits that Hill & MacMahon expressed in their music: the freedom, the wildness, and the passion. It seemed appropriate that we would try to emulate this spirited approach in our recording.

And so, we invited 50 friends, family members, set dancers, and enthusiastic strangers to an old schoolhouse in Cuas a’ Bhodaigh to join us in a night celebrating local music, song, and dance. We hope that the ensuing 14 track highlights from that evening give you a sense of the energy and warmth that we shared that night.