The Mary Wallopers

“They’re revitalising Irish trad for a new generation with rowdy reinterpretations of hand-me-down odes to sex, devilry and drink (mainly drink). Like the Dubliners, the Pogues and Jinx Lennon before them, they elevate the displaced and the downtrodden, sticking two fingers up to the establishment and, in doing so, yanking a thread that unites all rebel music from folk to punk and rap” The Guardian 

“These youngsters are all about presenting vibrancy, saltiness and edge via roots music from a bygone age, at a moment when such qualities are all but absent form contemporary pop” Mojo

The Mary Wallopers release a new track - The Blarney Stone - today. The track is taken from the band’s forthcoming album Irish Rock’n’Roll, which is due out on October 6th. 

Said to bestow the gift of the gab on anyone who kisses it The Blarney Stone has long been the subject of Irish song and myth. The Mary Wallopers’ full throttle version of the traditional folk song made famous by singers like Tom Lenihan and Margaret Barry brings the legend to the music halls and festival stages of the 21st century.

The Mary Wallopers on the track: “The Blarney Stone is a famous monument in Ireland. It’s said if you kiss it you get the gift of the gab. More business minded Irish people over the years have made their own blarney stones charging unsuspecting tourists for a kiss, this is their story.” 

The Mary Wallopers second album - Irish Rock’n’Roll - is released on their own BC label on October 6th. It features previously released tracks The Holy Ground and Wexford and arrives off the back of packed out shows at Glastonbury, Latitude, Boomtown and Kendal Calling. Following the release of the album, the band play their biggest UK tour to date: 
Following the release of Irish Rock ’n’ Roll they will play an extensive UK tour beginning in the autumn. They have also announced a series of new dates in Ireland for December-

The Mary Wallopers were formed by brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy and their friend Sean McKenna who began traveling the length and breadth of Ireland singing and collecting songs. During lockdown, they build up a huge online following playing livestreams from their home studio. In the years since, the band have expanded to a seven piece and built a fierce reputation as a live act.  

The Mary Wallopers are: Andrew Hendy - banjo; Charles Hendy - guitar; Sean McKenna - guitar; Seamas Hyland - accordion; Finian O’Connor - pipes/whistles; Roisin Barrett - bass; Ken Mooney – drums.