Offaly's Mark Lyndon releases lead single of debut album 'Silhouettes'

Singer-songwriter Mark Lyndon has announced his debut album 'Silhouettes', arriving Friday, June 12, alongside its lead single 'Buckley’s Folly'.

The Offaly-born, Cork-based artist draws a line between Ireland’s past and present, shaping traditional stories into a contemporary folk sound. Built on archival research and interviews, 'Silhouettes' presents a series of songs rooted in real lives.

“Buckley’s Folly” tells the story of Eoin Buckley of Castleblagh, Ballyhooly, who constructed a stone cairn before leaving for World War I as a monument to himself. The structure still stands in North Cork’s Blackwater Valley, marking both his legacy and a moment in Irish history.

Lyndon said he tries to put himself in the mind of the person he's writing about, adopting a first-person perspective style of writing.

“When writing about historical events, I like to place myself inside the mind of the individual. Eoin Buckley must have been a remarkable character for his time, to build a monument to himself in an era defined by obedience to church and state.

"When he returned from World War I, Ireland had changed, and the ‘honour’ of serving in the British Army had faded in light of political shifts. I see the cairn as a kind of defiant gesture against the rigid norms of a monocultural society.”

Drawing from Blackwater Valley folklore, the album blends intricate guitar work with a strong vocal presence. It carries echoes of Nick Drake and Nick Jones, alongside the songwriting depth of Paul Brady and Richard Thompson, bringing overlooked Irish histories into focus.

Though this is his debut album, Lyndon has already earned national attention. His singles 'Nocturn' and 'First Light' received national praise from Hot Press and Irish Music Magazine. His song 'Nocturne' also featured in the IFTA-nominated short film PUNT.

Known for his live performances, Lyndon has shared stages with Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny, John Blek, Susan O’Neill, and Muireann Bradley, combining storytelling with detailed acoustic arrangements.

'Buckley’s Folly' is released today, Friday, April 24 on Bandcamp and streaming platforms. The full album 'Silhouettes' will follow on June 12, available digitally, on CD, and vinyl via Bandcamp.

Pre-orders for the album are now available on Bandcamp here: https://marklyndon.bandcamp.com/

Mark Lyndon will bring his show around Ireland, for an updated list please visit: https://www.marklyndonmusic.com/