Ciara as a member of BIIRD

It looks like there are only 8 members of BIIRD now, according to this article. (It was 11 before.)

https://www.rrampt.com/event/biird-canada-and-usa-tour

That’s kind of sad. Maybe they just forgot to mention the others??

Who exactly did we lose and what instruments did they play? I hope the Shruti box player is still around. Do any BIIRD connoisseurs know?

So it seems that the three missing members are

1. Aisling Sage, who plays fiddle and whose collaborations include Lord Of The Dance. Here’s the BIIRD post introducing her https://www.instagram.com/p/C5ldhc9M2CZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/aisling_sage?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== This is her account. She’s still tagged BIIRD in her bio but it seems she’s touring with someone else this summer.

2. Claire Loughran, who plays fiddle and harp (which it seems as though every member of BIIRD plays, even if not with the group?). Here’s BIIRD’s post introducing her: https://www.instagram.com/p/C51JZm2siJx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

And https://www.instagram.com/claire_lough?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== is her Instagram. She also has BIIRD tagged in her bio and her last post was with them. So I don’t know what that’s about.

3. Aoife Kelly, who plays cello and—you guessed it!—fiddle. Interestingly, on their post introducing her (https://www.instagram.com/p/C5_a7wQMx8r/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link), BIIRD mentioned that members would come and go, so maybe she was never intended to be with them for long. The cello is lovely, though, so that is kind of a shame. At least the Shruti box player is here.

Aoife (https://www.instagram.com/aoifekmusic_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) does not have BIIRD tagged in her bio, and her latest post didn’t mention them at all, so that ship might have sailed.


I also noticed that the article mentioned a member, Laura Doherty, who I believe normally goes by Laura Jo, but they might have replaced her with someone also named Laura…? But I think they’re the same person.


You know, BIIRD’s post mentioning how they’re a collective says they want to amplify traditional Irish musicians everywhere, and their drummer is Dutch…maybe I have a chance at joining BIIRD someday 🤔

@stars_at_dawn
Oh wow. Thanks for the research. I think you are the resident expert on BIIRD then. I am also wondering if maybe some of the girls don't want to tour, but maybe will rejoin when back in Ireland.

@CWazyTom
I was also looking at the tour stops. It's interesting b/c it's a mix of:
- opening for Ed Sheeran
- Irish Fests
- bars / clubs
Hmm...

@stars_at_dawn
Oh wow. Thanks for the research. I think you are the resident expert on BIIRD then. I am also wondering if maybe some of the girls don't want to tour, but maybe will rejoin when back in Ireland.

Oh, thank you! That’s a good insight on touring…do we know who all toured with Ed Sheeran?

It seems that there’s been more members who have at least collaborated with BIIRD. They’ve following 15 people, and minus @absolutelilt, which is a collaboration between members Lisa and Niamh. I think before Hannah was their drummer, someone named Siân Monaghan (https://www.instagram.com/siany_drumsutm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) served that role.

And it seems that Laura Jo and Laura Doherty are in fact different people (https://www.instagram.com/_lauradoherty_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==). I think the latter has been a member longer than Laura Jo has, though, as she played guitar in one of their music videos.

I believe Nicole Lonergan is a newer member as well (https://www.instagram.com/nicolelonergan_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==).

I do wish BIIRD would announce each new member, though. Things have gotten confusing 😭.