Tipperary musician to feature on new Irish music show on TG4
Cáit Ní Riain will feature on episode three of Cara sa Cheol, airing on TG4 on May 10
TG4 presents Cara sa Cheol (A Friend in Music), a new six-part music documentary series launching April 26 that celebrates creative collaboration between Irish-language artists and musicians from Ireland’s New Irish and immigrant communities.
Set in an evolving Ireland, Cara sa Cheol pairs artists from different cultural backgrounds to create bold new musical collaborations.
Each episode follows a creative exchange as two artists step into one another’s communities - sharing stories, influences, and lived experience rooted in Irish, African, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European traditions.
From first meeting to final performance, each collaboration becomes a rich exploration of identity, belonging, and connection.
The third episode of the series, to be broadcast on May 10, features Tipperary traditional and folk singer Cáit Ní Riain with Nigerian-Irish soul singer Toshín Bankole.
Cáit Ní Riain is a traditional singer, multi-instrumentalist, and folklorist with a Master’s in Irish Folklore and a member of the innovative ensemble The Weaving.
Her work reflects a deep engagement with the living traditions of Irish music.
Toshín Bankole, a Nigerian-Irish soul singer from Dundalk, is renowned for her powerhouse voice and captivating stage presence.
She has opened for Macy Gray, performed at Electric Picnic, and released acclaimed EPs blending soul, R&B, and funk.
Together, Cáit and Toshín unite rooted Irish tradition with contemporary soul, creating performances that cross continents and genres while highlighting the emotional depth and cultural resonance of both musical traditions.
The series also features multi-instrumentalist Seamas Hyland, Iranian composer Shahab Coohe, singer Catríona Ní Ghribín, Palestinian oud player Sarraj Alsersawi, classical and traditional violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain, Ukrainian-born composer Olesya Zdorovetska, poet Ciara Ní É and Irish bassist of Ethiopian heritage Dara Abdurahman, and Irish Zimbabwean rapper GodKnows alongside multi-instrumentalist Caoimhín.
Blending Irish traditional music with rap, soul, and global musical forms, Cara sa Cheol reveals a contemporary Ireland shaped by migration, diversity, and shared creativity.
The title cara sa cheol, meaning “a friend in music”, captures the essence of the series: the powerful bonds forged through collaboration, transcending language and cultural difference to connect communities.
Each episode culminates in a live concert performed before a local audience in meaningful community spaces. These performances capture the emotional and creative depth of the collaborations, showcasing music as a living, shared language.
Episode 1 of Cara sa Cheol airs Sunday, April 26 on TG4 – subtitles options available, and audiences outside of Ireland can view via the TG4 online player.