a bit about
the lads

Ispíní na hÉireann are a revolutionary trad fusion collective from Dublin, formed in 2018 and fronted by Tomás Mulligan, Paahto Cummins, and Declan Gillen. Rooted in Irish traditional music yet fearlessly inventive, the band brings together some of Ireland’s most exciting and talented contemporary musicians for a raucous and unique musical experience.

Rooted in Irish traditional music yet fearlessly inventive, the band brings together some of Ireland’s most exciting contemporary musicians, with backgrounds spanning classical, jazz, opera and bluegrass.

Blending original compositions with unabashed reimaginings of staple traditional repertoire, Ispíní na hÉireann craft a sound that is raw, raucous, and unmistakably Irish. Their music fuses technical mastery with sharp wit, storytelling, and social commentary — performances that are as thought-provoking as they are electrifying; equal parts musicianship, mayhem, and meaning.

Following the success of their debut album Hard Working Men, the band are gearing up to release their much-anticipated second record Poxtail Soup, showcasing their trademark mix of chaos, humour, and heart. With a reputation for exhilarating live shows and a bold approach to genre, Ispíní na hÉireann continue to redefine what contemporary Irish music can be.

Ispíní na hÉireann on The Point of Everything Pocast

Paahto Cummins, Declan Gillen, and Tomás Mulligan sit down with The Point of Everything to talk about the making of Poxtail Soup, the band’s journey so far, and the strange, joyful chaos that fuels their music. A deep dive into creativity, collaboration, and the stories behind the new album.

Meet a few of the Sausages

Some questions with the lads

  • Tomás:

    Rum Sodomy, and The Lash. The Pogues got me back into Irish music when I was rebelling against it.

    O’ Brother, Where Art Thou? Soundtrack. It was the only CD in my parents car when we were younger that wasn't Irish music, and this was before the M1 Motorway, so every trip to my granda's in Armagh was over 2 hours. A lot of listening to that really sparked an interest in Americana for me.

    Look Over The Wall See The Sky - John Francis Flynn. I like this because he is my friend and it’s an exceptional album

    Aongus:

    Our Love - Caribou

    Fibs - Anna Meredith

    Comb Your Hair and Cut It- Catherine McEvoy, Micheal O’Raghaillagh, Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh

    Pádraig Óg:

    Seize the Day- Damien Dempsey

    Gusty’s Frolics- Seán Keane

    Skinty Fia go Deo- Fontaine’s D.C.

  • Tomás:

    Spancil Hill. It was the first time we reimagined a song and it worked out. We had tried it with other songs and they sounded OK, or now with the gift of hindsight, quite awful. But this one worked and gained traction and I'm proud of what we did with it.

    Aongus:

    Talk to Joe. The lyrics are hilarious. They really capture the laziness of the show’s creators - the caller’s impassioned gripes used as material to make money for them and RTE.

    Pádraig Óg:

    A Health to the Company. In comparison to the rest of the tracks on this album, this song completely alters the mood. After the madness and lunacy of the first 6 tracks, the listener is brought back to reality with this lovely duet between Tomás and special guest Méabh Mulligan.

  • Tomás: The Scratch calling me up on stage at the Point was an absolute trip

    Aongus: Playing the 3 stage at Electric Picnic. Place was going mad - it was a bit surreal.

    Pádraig Óg: The whole band performing as special guests for The Scratch’s encore set at their two sold out gigs in Vicar Street. The atmosphere in the room was off the charts.

  • Tomás: Sneaking into the Red Hot Chilli Peppers in the Phoenix Park when I was 14 is a stand-out anti-establishment moment for young me.

    Aongus: Telling my Dad I thought I had heard every piece of music when I was 3. He didn’t even look up from the paper.

    Pádraig Óg: My earliest musical memory is being dragged to my older brother’s tin whistle class as a toddler being made to sit in the room for the duration of the class. In hindsight, this tin whistle class definitely doubled as a baby sitting service for me. I have vague memories of tunes being played over and over while I sat in the corner playing with toys.

Paahto Cummins of Ispíní na hÉireann at the 3Olympia

  • Bodhrán & Dancing

  • Guitar & Vocals

  • Banjo & Vocals