Introducing The Haar
The Haar has its origins in a chance meeting between fiddler Adam Summerhayes, bodhrán player Cormac Byrne, and traditional Irish singer Molly Donnery at a trad session at the Craiceann Bodhrán Festival on Inis Oírr, resulting in an improvised live performance recorded beside a shipwreck on the wild Atlantic coast. What began as a spontaneous moment has grown into one of the most compelling bands on the Anglo-Irish folk scene.
Where Tradition Meets Spontaneity
The Haar embody a unique ‘live reactive composition’ approach — embracing both spontaneous improvisation and traditional structures — making their music unafraid to transcend borders whilst remaining recognisably born of the traditional music all members have grown up with. The result is something that feels both ancient and utterly alive.
Four Exceptional Musicians
The Haar brings the formidable singing talent of Molly Donnery combined with three of the most exciting instrumentalists on the folk and traditional music scene: Cormac Byrne, Adam Summerhayes, and Murray Grainger. Their spontaneity thrives on mutual trust, creating what one reviewer described as a splendid balance of swirling instrumental magic and beautifully sung narratives.
Why You’ll Enjoy Them
Their album ‘Where Old Ghosts Meet’ has earned rave reviews, solidifying their reputation as a must-see live act. If you love folk and traditional music played with fire, intimacy, and a sense of the unexpected, The Haar will be an evening to remember.