FERMANAGH musical trio Murray are three sisters who have grown up with a love of music.

After being approached to perform at a wedding, Charlene, Dearbhla and Eimear Murray began singing and playing together more professionally, but it was during June’s Lockdown that they decided to set up an official music page.

Here they speak to The Impartial Reporter about their favourite songs to play, their biggest gig to date and the best thing about performing.

Who are the members of your band and what instrument do they play?

WE RE are three sisters – Charlene, Dearbhla and Eimear Murray. Charlene plays the flute and whistle, Dearbhla plays guitar and banjo, and Eimear plays guitar and fiddle. We also enjoy singing together.

What’s the origin of your band’s name?

WE WERE very unoriginal and used our surname!

If anyone is creative enough to think of a better one, please contact us via Facebook on Murray Music!

What genre/genres do you consider your music to lie within?

FROM a young age, we attended music lessons in Roslea Comhaltas and so traditional Irish music is very much a love of ours.

Growing up, our highlight was the annual Sean McAloon Easter Concert, held in our local community centre where we were inspired by the numerous talented musicians that came from all over.

As we got older, we started to sing more regularly, usually in our kitchen and for low-key family events.

We mainly sing Irish Folk/ballads, but occasionally try Pop songs. After being approached to sing at a wedding, we began singing songs for ceremonies.

When did the band form?

WE HAVE always sung and played music together since we were children at home, so there was no real starting date of when the band formed.

However, after we were approached to sing at a wedding in September, 2019, we thought we would give it a go.

It was June, 2020, during Lockdown, when we finally bit the bullet and set up a Facebook page. The page is called Murray Music, if you would like to give us a listen!

What gigs do you have coming up?

THINGS are uncertain at the minute due to Covid-19; however, we have some weddings provisionally booked for 2021/2022. We really hope that they go ahead and that young couples get their big day.

What is the band’s favourite song to play, and why?

WE HAVE a few go-to songs, which are regular requests such Caledonia, Grace, and Red is the Rose. Granny Daly loves Lady of Knock, so it’s always a recurring one in her house.

What has been your biggest gig, to date?

SINGING at our first ever wedding was definitely our biggest gig to date. It was completely unexpected, as Eimear was studying in Cardiff, and was approached for us to sing and give a taste of home to Jonny and Clare’s wedding in Wales.

It was a very nerve-racking experience and we felt completely out of our comfort zone, but equally it was a privilege to be part of their big day.

It definitely gave us a taste for singing at weddings, and the ambition to be a part of many more special days to come.

Any funny/gig rehearsal stories?

JUST that we are glad we are sisters as we would probably have broken up by now with all the squabbles!

What does 2021 hold for the band?

WE ARE hoping for the opportunity to play in public again. Hopefully, restrictions will lift soon so that weddings can return to normal. We are also excited to get back into pubs to socialise at music sessions and enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere.

Who are your major influences?

CARA Dillon, The High Kings, The Dubliners, Christy Moore and Mary Black are up there as some of our main influences. There are also so many local talents in Fermanagh who are inspirational.

Our music teacher at St. Tierney’s P.S., Pat McCabe, definitely influenced our love of Traditional music, alongside the many tutors we had through the Roslea Comhaltas.

It is brilliant to see all the efforts of the Roslea Comhaltas through this pandemic to ensure young musicians still have the opportunity to play music through weekly online Zoom lessons. Check out the local talent on the Roslea Comhaltas Facebook page.

Also, we’re not forgetting mum and dad, who both have a good interest in Traditional Irish music, and who ran the roads with us as children to lessons and bought us a steady supply of instruments without complaint.

What is the best thing about preforming?

AS CLICHED as it sounds, it is nice to take something that we do as a hobby together, to a more public stage. It genuinely is lovely to be part of a couple’s big day and to sing a bride down the aisle to music of her choice.

It has also been great to upload songs onto our Facebook page to lift the spirits of some, and for the enjoyment of others, particularly during this difficult time.

Any final comments?

THANK you very much for providing us with this opportunity.

We also really appreciate all the positive feedback we have received since setting up the page. Please feel free to browse our page on Facebook via Murray Music.

Stay safe, and have a lovely Christmas and New Year.