The Oars
The OARS is a new contemporary duo featuring songwriter and guitarist Eoin Coughlan and multi-instrumentalist Brian Morrissey. Their new album, due for release in January 2024, was recorded and produced in Louisiana by multi-Grammy winner Dirk Powell who describes: “Listening to The OARS, one gets drawn in first by the infectious rhythms and magnetic musical chemistry. The tunes and grooves are rock solid yet always moving. The songs arrive in the centre of this feeling, full of brave lyrics, vivid imagery, and fearless emotion. Their combination of rawness and finesse is truly rare and instantly engaging”. The OARS are embarking on an Irish tour in 2024 and are already attracting attention from some of the main European festivals.
Eoin Coughlan
As part of the hugely successful group NOMOS, the lead vocalist/multi-instrumentalist and songwriter found himself touring extensively around the world playing alongside the likes of Emmylou Harris, Billy Bragg, Nancy Griffiths and Baaba Maal on some of the main world music stages. After five years on the international scene with NOMOS, the break-up of the band saw Eoin embark on a solo career that resulted in the release to huge critical acclaim, of his debut album, “Blood in Vein”, produced by David Odlum.
Brian Morrissey
Brian Morrissey is a renowned banjo/bodhrán/whistle player and percussionist. He is a member of the ground-breaking groups Buille and TarantaCeltica and has performed and recorded with artists such as Donal Lunny, John Spillane, Kevin Crawford, Jimmy Crowley, Nathan Carter, Luka Bloom and the late, great Micheál Ó Súilleabháin. Brian has also performed with many international artists including multiple Grammy winners Béla Fleck and Alison Brown. He is the founding director of Cork City Council’s “Lee Sessions” traditional music trail and is the creator and producer of the critically acclaimed production, Pulses of Tradition. Brian has also lectured and tutored in Irish traditional music at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick and at University College Cork.
Get to know The Oars
In September 2025, Eoin and Brian sat down with Geraldine from the Cork Creative Podcast to discuss their journey from separate musical worlds to forming their dynamic duo. They detail their creative process, the experience of recording with producer Dirk Powell in Louisiana, and the story behind performing with Robbie Williams and Garron Noone at Croke Park. The duo also share insights into their songwriting inspirations and future plans for new music and live shows.