A naturally gifted storyteller in the true Celtic tradition.
Traditional Irish music. From Dublin, Ireland, now based in Nova Scotia.
Available for live performance, session work, and recording.
Quick Facts
- Origin: Dublin, Ireland
- Based in: Nova Scotia
- Experience: 10+ years performing
- Formats: Solo. Duo. Full band (The O’Ciarmhaics and The La La Las)
- Instruments: Fiddle, guitar, mandolin, Irish bouzouki, whistle, low flute, keyboards
- Additional: Recording, mixing, and mastering for acoustic and traditional music
Bio
Short
Ross Ó Ciarmhaic is a traditional Irish musician from Dublin, now based in Nova Scotia. With over 10 years of experience, he performs both as a solo artist and as part of The O’Ciarmhaics, bringing a grounded, authentic approach to Irish and Atlantic folk traditions. He is also a composer, with original work featured on his recent album and available for film, television, and gaming projects.
Long
Ross Ó Ciarmhaic is a Dublin-born musician whose work is steeped in traditional Irish music and shaped by years of performance across Ireland and Canada.
Now based in Nova Scotia, Ross performs regularly as a solo artist and with The O’Ciarmhaics, a three-piece group featuring Christian Kirby and Tim Kirby. Together, they deliver a crowd-pleasing repertoire of jigs, reels, sea shanties, and traditional Irish songs, with a sound that is both faithful to the tradition and alive in modern performance settings.
In addition to his traditional work, Ross also performs with the South American-influenced group The La La Las, expanding his range while maintaining a strong foundation in acoustic and folk instrumentation.
Alongside live performance, Ross works in recording, mixing, production and mastering, with a particular focus on traditional and acoustic music. His approach prioritizes clarity, balance, and the natural presence of instruments, ensuring that recordings retain the character and detail of live performance.
Ross is also an active composer, with original material featured on his recent album and available for film, television, and gaming projects, bringing the same attention to detail and musical sensitivity as that found in his live work.
Music
Listen to selected recordings below, including live and studio performances.
Performance Formats
Ross performs in a range of formats suited to different venues and event types.
Solo
A solo performance that blends traditional Irish music with the stories that shape it.
Drawing from places across Ireland, from Clare and Sligo through Cork, Dublin, and into the North, Ross builds each set as a journey through music and memory.
With a natural sense of storytelling, performances move between tune and narrative, placing the audience in the moment and, at times, somewhere further back in time.
Suitable for: Intimate venues, listening rooms, and settings where connection with the audience is central
Duo / Small Ensemble
Ross and Christian Kirby together! A fuller sound with added rhythm and shade, maintaining flexibility while increasing energy and presence.
Suitable for: Festivals, listener gatherings and home concerts
Full Band — The O’Ciarmhaics
Ross performs with Christian Kirby and Tim Kirby as The O’Ciarmhaics. The group delivers a strong traditional set of jigs, reels, sea shanties, and Irish songs – both traditional and original.
Suitable for: Festivals, venues, private parties, cultural events, home concerts
Full Band — The La La Las
Ross also performs with The La La Las, a four-piece Latin American, Cuban and Irish roots fusion band featuring Ross, Christian, Carlos, Tim, and often with special guests. Entertaining, highly danceable, and full of energy, the group blends Latin American tunes with Celtic rhythms, songs, and acoustic roots.
Cubano-Céltica!
Suitable for: Festivals, cultural events, private parties, community events
Set & Performance Details
Ross’s sets are built around traditional Irish jigs and reels, alongside Irish songs and laments, with flexibility to match the venue, audience, and event type.
Repertoire can lean instrumental, vocal, or mixed depending on the setting.
- Typical set length: 45–90 minutes
- Multiple sets available if required
Technical & Logistics
Ross provides a flexible and reliable setup suitable for a wide range of venues.
- PA system available for small to mid-sized venues
- Minimal setup requirements
- Solo, duo, or full band configurations
- Travel available
Ross can provide a full, yet compact PA system where required (850w–1.4kw), simplifying event logistics for venues and organizers.
Session Work / Recording
Ross is also available for session performance, recording, mixing, and mastering, either on site or at his own studio Northern Voice, located on Nova Scotia’s North Shore.
His work focuses on traditional Irish and acoustic music, with an emphasis on preserving the natural tone, presence, and space of each instrument.
Suitable for:
- Artist recordings
- Traditional sessions
- Acoustic projects
- Mixing and mastering for release
Contact
For bookings, session work, or general enquiries, please get in touch.