Who are 3 on the Bund?
Inspired by their individual diverse musical backgrounds, 3 on the Bund blend tradition with innovation. Their complex layered arrangements consist of both traditional and newly composed material which is played with an energy and passion that is completely authentic.
Founded in 2019, 3 on the Bund came together through the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick and “rapidly went from unknown to hot property” (Folk World) Impressively managing to record, produce, and release their debut album ‘Frenzy’ during the Covid-19 pandemic, this band have been going from strength to strength within the Irish traditional music scene and are in high demand.
As individuals, all are award-winning and accomplished performers with experience touring worldwide. Each has graduated with a first-class honours degree in Irish traditional music from the University of Limerick. As a group, they have already travelled to the UK, the US and Asia, and have toured extensively across Ireland, Germany and several other European countries. In April 2022, they headlined the Irish Heartbeat Festival tour, a month-long tour across Germany and Switzerland. In 2023, they performed to sold-out crowds at Germany’s Rheingau Musik Festival and Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, and later that same year, they headlined the month-long Guinness Irish Christmas tour across Austria. 2024 is also proving to be a big year for 3 on the Bund. In April, they embarked on their first solo tour of Germany, as part of Zeitgeist Irland 24, an initiative of Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. In October, they are due to headline the six-week-long Irish Folk Festival tour of Germany in October / November. The band are also currently working on their second album due to be released in late 2024.
Meet 3 on the Bund
Rebecca McCarthy-Kent
• Fiddle •
On fiddle is Waterford multi-instrumentalist Rebecca McCarthy-Kent; equally accomplished in both classical and traditional music, she has numerous accolades to her name including the Fiddler of Dooney (2010), Bonn Óir Seán Ó Riada (2019) and multiple All-Ireland Fleadh titles in both fiddle and piano. Also a notable composer, she was most recently chosen as one of ten Irish composers to contribute to the highly anticipated publication Folk Tunes from the Women (Tickell 2023). When not touring, she spends her days performing with various projects, including Celtic Steps the Show, and teaching at festivals, summer schools and universities across the country and beyond.
Susan Coleman
• Vocals | Concertina •
Bringing a north-westerly influence to the band is Susan Coleman, hailing from Castlefinn, Co. Donegal. She grew up in a home filled with music on both sides of her family. She learned music from her mother’s side, the renowned Harper Family from Donegal. Her singing she learned from her father’s family, the Colemans and Hirrells. Following in her family’s footsteps, Susan has gained widespread recognition through competition, winning numerous awards at All-Ireland level Fleadhanna. Susan is currently working full-time as a musician, performing with various bands and projects, teaching at festivals across Europe, as well as offering private lessons.
Simon Pfisterer
• Uillean Pipes | Flute | Whistles •
Simon’s musical journey began when he was eight years old, leading him from the folk music of his native Bavaria to the traditional music of southern Italy, to the music of northern Scotland and eventually to Ireland, where he found his love for Irish music and the uilleann pipes. Alongside touring with numerous projects including German-based folk band Cara (Irish Music Awards, Kaarster Stern, Freiburger Leiter) and recording countless albums with his own bands as well as a guest artist, he released his double solo album “Half-Way There” and “Another Way to Go” in 2022 which catapulted him to the top of the young generation of Irish musicians. His album was received well by critics with Irish Music Magazine describing his music as “sizzling with a wild youthful burst of energy” and the album being nominated for the prestigious “Price of the German Record Critics”.
Seán Kelliher
• Guitar | Bodhrán •
Hailing from Killarney, County Kerry is multi-instrumentalist Seán Kelliher. He began to learn Irish music at the tender age of seven and since then, has travelled the world as a solo and group performer on a multitude of instruments. His musicianship has earned him several awards including two All-Ireland Fleadh titles and the prestigious Micheál Ó hEidhin Medallion from Comhaltas (2016). When not touring with 3 on the Bund, Sean can be found performing with his other projects including The Rising, the Taobh na Mara Céilí Band (2022 All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band champions), Celtic Steps the Show, and with world-renowned singer Tommy Fleming.
Ella McGroy
• Keyboard •
From the most northerly point of Ireland, fiddler and pianist Ella McGrory comes from Culdaff in Inishowen, Co. Donegal. An All-Ireland Fleadh winning musician, she has taught and performed worldwide, most recently at the infamous Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France. In 2021, Ella and her sister Deirdre released an EP titled ‘Loinnir’ which was heralded by Altan’s Mairéad Ní Mhaoinigh for illustrating “the depth of maturity in their performances and approach… bringing a contemporary sound which breathes new life into the old”. Most recently, Ella was featured with her sister on the TG4 television series, Ceol ón Earagail (2024). When not touring, Ella continues to have huge involvement in the Inishowen Traditional Music Project, performing, teaching and helping with events.