Bernadette Morris

Bernadette Morris is a performer whose craft is strongly rooted in tradition but has brought her own take to the Great Irish Songbook.

‘An ear for great songs and a fine voice to bring them to new generations’ - Colum Sands BBC

‘Bernadette’s sweet pure voice rings clear above the rich and diverse arrangements, on a well-chosen selection of songs both traditional and contemporary ‘ Paul Brady

Tyrone singer Bernadette Morris made a striking debut with 2013's All The Ways That You Wander, a mainly traditional collection, in both English and Irish, which won praise from no less an authority than Tommy Sands and Paul Brady, as well as extensive radio and television airplay.

Building on the success of her debut album, Co. Tyrone born Irish singer Bernadette Morris continued to wow audiences throughout Ireland and beyond with her fresh take on traditional Irish folk songs and her growing collection of new material which fit comfortably into the trad and folk genre.

All the Ways you Wander, produced by Sean Óg Graham of Beoga fame, is a varied and unique album with a rich mix of newly arranged traditional songs and contemporary songs from the writing of Barry Kerr and John Spillane. Raised in a musical family, her talent is the type that can’t be taught - her modern versions of lilting Gaelic laments are delivered with undeniable charm and ease.

Over the years Bernadette has supported some stalwarts of the folk and traditional music scene including Cara Dillon, Eddi Reader, Brian Kennedy and Julie Fowlis. Bernadette and her band enjoyed a very successful tour of Germany and Belgium as well as a tour in the US, with appearances in New York, Boston and at Folk Alliance in Kansas City. More recently Bernadette has completed a short Tour in Australia, beginning at the National Celtic Festival in Portarlington and continuing in Melbourne and Sydney.

‘Pure of pipes like an Irish Kate Rusby’ - The Scotsman

The newer EP ‘Where the heart is’ – is a collection of five songs, co-written with various talent from across the North of Ireland, Scotland and the US. Recorded in the beautiful Amberville studios by Arborist’s Ben McAuley, who recently recorded Van Morrison, it features a collection of heartfelt songs, drawing on her own life experience. Bernadette has squeezed a lot into the last 4 years since the release of her debut album including getting married, touring, buying a home and having her first child, all of which are the inspiration for her new work. Each song reflects a period of time or place in her life and although they are very personal to her, they are themes relatable to us all.

The range of the tracks is a reflection of the diversity of her co-writers which include

The Answer’s Cormac Neeson, Donal Scullion, NI Soul Troop, Scottish singer- songwriter Bob McNeill, Country Music star Johnny Brady and Nashville’s Allen McKendree Palmer.

Morris has gathered together a group of accomplished musicians on this EP including guitarist Niall McCrickard, Briste’s Emma Robinson on flute and whistles, Rohan Young on bodhrán, Niall Hanna on harmonies and pianist Richard Hill from Arborist. Morris also plays violin on the EP. She is currently working on a 3rd collection of songs including co writes with Eleanor McEvoy and Arborist’s Mark McCambridge.