Irish Artist Weaves Tradition with Modernity Through Keening
Róis, a 25-year-old musician from Fermanagh, is forging a unique path, blending ancient keening practices with contemporary music. Her journey reflects a powerful connection to her Irish heritage, expressed through both traditional melodies and modern sonic landscapes, offering listeners a raw, emotional experience.
Embracing Roots and Modernity
From a young age, Róis knew she wanted to make music. Her upbringing in Fermanagh instilled in her a deep appreciation for artistic expression, encouraged by her siblings. She found solace in music, using the piano to navigate her emotions. At 18, she studied composition at the Royal Irish Academy of Music before moving to The Hague. This move prompted Róis to explore her cultural roots, combining traditional Irish melodies with her contemporary influences.
I really like to scream in the car whenever I’m going through anything, and make weird vocal noises. No one can hear me. The car is probably the only place where you can do that – even in your house if you did it, the person next door would probably ring the police. Then it became the right thing to do musically, to express myself.
— Róis (@rois_music) March 17, 2025
“Keening for me is a catharsis; it helps me. It’s a guttural, visceral, intuitive way to voice your emotions.”
—Róis
The practice of keening, or lamenting the dead, dates back centuries. Today, according to recent data, around 30% of Irish people have engaged in some form of grief counseling ( Statista 2024). Róis believes keening can be a release of negative emotions, a way to connect with something larger than oneself.
The Power of Keening
Róis‘s grandfather, who played the bagpipes and sang, died a month prior to this interview. She explained how, after his death, she “just screamed.” She views keening as a way to deal with loss. She’s finding ways to incorporate traditional Irish cattle calls into techno tracks.
Róis prefers to remain somewhat anonymous, using the stage name, Róis. She is performing at the National Concert Hall on June 17th as part of the MusicTown 2025 concert series.
