Tubber mother and daughter duo to release their first single

A mother and daughter duo from Tubber have recorded a single, which they plan to release this autumn.

Teresa and Megan O'Hara, who just over six months ago joined forces as The Band Sí, recently recorded a cover of 'Does He Love You?' by Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire with the Ivory Sessions in Meath.

Describing it as a stripped-back, acoustic, version of the song, they said they are looking forward to hearing the final version from the recording studio, with a plan to launch a CD in the autumn.

This weekend they, along with Dan Egan, will perform ahead of Offaly group Ruaile Buaile in Kelly's Bar at The Ranch, Kilcormac, in what will be their first ticketed performance. They will also be recording two more songs with the Ivory Sessions shortly and plan to distribute all three songs to radio stations nationwide.

Music has always been in their blood, as Moate native Teresa explained. "From when I was a baby until now, and I think until the day I die, I'll always be singing in some form," she said.

She attributes her love of music to her father, Tommy Kavanagh, and said he was always known to be singing, whether in the house, fixing a tractor, or even driving along on his milk rounds.

"The connection he had with the song and the story it told, I think we got that from him. He was a huge part of our lives, and so encouraging," she said, explaining that she first began singing at 16 with Pat Dunne and his family band in Moate, before later singing as part of a four-piece band and eventually on her own.

And while family life took over for a while, when she married Seán and they had two daughters - Megan and her younger sister Maeve - Teresa had been toying with the idea of a return to music for a few years now.

"Just before Covid hit, I was planning on starting back into music, but then there was nowhere to go, so I recorded some songs and sent them to Strabane Radio. I sent in three songs - 'Shine Your Light', 'Walk on By' and 'The Late Late Show' and they all were selected in the Top 10 that year by listeners," she said.

This sowed a seed, and about three years ago she and Megan began talking about forming a band together. It wasn't until late last year, however, that they brought their plans to fruition and The Band Sí was born, a name suggested by Seán that both Teresa and Megan think is very fitting.

"Mam always loved the story of the banshee and thought it was very whimsical and Celtic," said Megan.

Teresa added: "I know the banshee is associated with different things, but it also means fairy woman so it's sort of a connection to our roots, I suppose, as women as well," said Teresa.

"I think it was important for us to get a feminine aspect in there," added Megan.

While they describe their core genre of music as country and Irish, they say they play a wide variety of songs and tailor their performances to the audience. Since establishing The Band Sí just over six months ago, they have played at venues across Westmeath, Offaly, Roscommon and Galway.

And with their first single now recorded and their first ticketed gig taking place this Saturday, they feel like they are truly ready to launch onto the music scene.

"I've been so looking forward to working with Megan for years and now it's happening," said Teresa, adding that she feels her late father Tommy guiding them along their journey.

Megan added: "I wasn't ready before now. I wasn't in the right head space and I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much."

Speaking about performing with her mother, Megan added: "Confidence-wise, I think I needed someone else there and the best person to have by your side is your mam."

Of course, working with family can pose challenges, but Teresa and Megan have found a way that works for them and allows them to keep their mother/daughter relationship separate from the music end of things.

"I think the best thing that has helped us is our planned meetings. Even though we live under the same roof we have a scheduled meeting and it works, it brings back the professionalism to it," said Megan, joking that she'll sometimes get a text from her mam asking her to push a meeting out by half an hour.

"We had to get used to each other as well," added Teresa, explaining that as musicians they had to find their way with each other, separate to their mother/daughter relationship.

As well as singing, Teresa plays guitar, while Megan plays fiddle and previously played violin with the school orchestra in Moate CS and spent ten years playing piano. She was a member of the award-winning Moate CS choir ten years ago, under the guidance of Ms Duignan, and has performed in pantos with Tubber Variety Group, as well as set-dancing, solo singing and singing with ballad groups for Scór.

She also plans to perfect the banjo, explaining: "Grandad left me his banjo. If you know how the play the fiddle you'll know the banjo because the notes are the same. I do dabble with it every now and then, but I want to really harness it and incorporate the instruments a bit more."

It's clear her grandfather, Tommy Kavanagh, was a big influence on both their lives musically and Teresa said: "It's something we grew up with, both of us." She added that her younger daughter, Maeve, plays bass and also sings. Her husband Seán also comes from a musical family, where there are singers, dancers and instrumentalists with a focus on Irish music.

"When you have a love for something, it pushes you," Teresa said. "The time is right now, even though I'm older. Years ago there used to be a barrier if you were older. That attitude was there for a while, but that has all changed."

She added that it's lovely to be able to share the experience with Megan, and for both of them to have each other to chat about their night as they make their way home from a performance.

With their first single just recorded, what do the duo hope to achieve over the next year?

"I would like us to have an album, get enough songs together for an album, and be on the social dancing scene. And maybe have our music video done," said Teresa.

Megan added: "I would like to be somewhat established in the social dancing scene. And have all of the little ideas we have brought to life - a music video and releasing our own songs."