Iarla Ó Lionáird was born in the West Cork gaeltacht area of Cuil Aodha in 1964. The area was rich in singers and the 12 Ó Lionáird children were no exception. Their mother taught them many traditional songs, passed down from her own mother, and her sister, Elizabeth Cronin. Iarla began performing at the tender age of 5, his first radio broadcast was at age 7, and he recorded Aisling Gheal at age 12 for the Gael Linn label. He also performed with the Cor Chuil Aodha (choir of Chuil Aodha), founded by Sean O’Riada. Since then he has worked in radio, film and TV production, and is the lead singer for the Afro Celt Sound System. Not just a pretty voice, Iarla has a B.Ed from Carysfort College in Dublin and taught primary school for 7 years, while still maintaining a strong interest in matters musical and performing as time allowed. In 2003 he completed a MA in Ethnomusicology at the University of Limerick.

An Australian of Irish ancestry, Steve Cooney has been living in Ireland for many years. One of Ireland’s leading guitarists, he is also a much sought-after and highly regarded producer, having worked with many of the big names in the Irish music industry. From the age of seventeen he has been playing in rock bands including Bushwackers, Fruitcake and the successful folk/rock band Red Gum.1981 he bought a one-way ticket to Ireland where he joined Stockton’s Wing, playing bass guitar and didgeridoo. Since then he has been very active performing and recording with Seamus Begley, Dermot Byrne, Sharon Shannan, Altan, Martin Hayes, Mary Black, Sliabh Notes and many others.