Biography

The Hanna Sisters — Mary, Nuala, & Breige — grew up in the small village of Maghery, Co. Armagh, surrounded by a rich and enduring musical heritage. Their maternal grandfather was a talented fiddler, and their father’s family was deeply rooted in traditional Irish music, ensuring that melody and rhythm were a constant presence in their home near the shores of Lough Neagh. From the earliest days, the sisters were immersed in music, developing both classical and traditional foundations that would later define their distinctive sound.

All three are classically trained and graduates of the University of Ulster, where they earned Music degrees before completing their P.G.C.E. teaching qualifications. Their dedication to music extends beyond performance — each has also worked as a music educator, sharing their skills and passion with new generations. Collectively, the Hanna Sisters master an astonishing range of instruments: Mary excels on piano and keyboards and also plays guitar; Nuala’s first love is the violin, but she is equally proficient on piano, guitar, tin whistle and bodhran; and Breige alternates between whistles, violin and banjo while also playing the piano. Their seamless harmonies and intricate instrumental arrangements form the heart of their signature blend — a sound where classical precision meets Celtic soul.

As teenagers, the sisters performed as part of a five-piece family band with Frank on drums and Clare on vocals and guitar, entertaining at community events across the region. While studying in Belfast, they continued to perform locally, balancing academia and their growing musical ambitions. Before long, they became known as one of the most exciting acts in the Celtic music scene, touring across the UK and supporting major artists such as Capercaillie and Westlife. Their debut album Maiden Voyage is largely composed of covers of songs and tunes from their early years, captured their traditional roots, earning them the 2001 Irish Post World Award for Best Newcomer.

Family life later reshaped their path but deepened their artistry. During quieter years, they focused on songwriting and as the group’s sound matured, they incorporated original songwriting and more modern arrangements resulting in the 2005 release About Time — an album praised by Hot Press critic Jackie Hayden as “classy, intelligent pop blended with exhilarating Irish traditional musicianship.” The sisters toured the album across Ireland, England, Denmark, Sweden and Germany, and they performed at numerous festivals throughout those regions.

Echolocation: An Acoustic Collection (2008) featured their reinterpretation of well-known folk favourites and modern classics in a beautifully stripped-down acoustic style with piano, rich vocals, close harmonies, and traditional Irish instrumentation. In 2012 the original single Prayer to Heaven inspired by the death of the girls' father from Leukaemia. Mary takes the lead vocal on a heartfelt tune with emotive lyrics that come with traditional, country, and folk overtones. Lately, the sisters have collaborated with their nieces, Kate Lavery and Sarah O’Keefe, on fresh interpretations of modern covers, and with their cousin George Hanna on a stirring rendition of a traditional immigration song.

Today, The Hanna Sisters captivate audiences with their heartfelt performances and the haunting tones of Irish instrumentation, blending sibling harmonies with a sound that evokes the ethereal grace of Enya, the contemporary sparkle of The Corrs, and the timeless authenticity of The Chieftains.