A long overdue hello from KMB! 👋
Welcome to Kearney Melia Barker Communications - a Cork-based PR and communications agency with deep roots in Ireland’s arts and culture scene.
Established in 1994 and rebranded in 2018, KMB is jointly managed by Jean Kearney and Louise Barker, alongside a team of associates and collaborators.
We have the privilege of working with some of the most exciting festivals, artists, and organisations across Ireland and beyond.
From strategic media campaigns, social media support, and event launches, to graphic design and press coordination, we specialise in authentic, story-led communications that connect and inspire.
We’re looking forward to sharing highlights, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and stories from the brilliant clients and projects we’re proud to be part of✨
#KMBCommunications #FestivalPR #MusicPR #IrishArts #ArtsPr
(Photo: LB. Feist at SFSH, Cork Opera House, Sept 2023)
What happens when the music of Iran meets the spirit of Waterford? 🇮🇷🇮🇪
Ar chuala tú cheana iad⁉️Have you heard them before⁉️
🎶 Cara sa Cheol 🗓️ Dé Domhnaigh | Sunday @ 22:30 @tg4tv
Out Now ✨
Rise is finally yours 🌤️
We’ll be on the @sixoclockshow@virginmediaireland One later today!! You can listen to the album live now! 🔗 Link in bio 🤍 #rise #newmusic #irishmusic #trad
🇳🇬 Toshín 🤝 Cáit Ní Riain 🇮🇪
Tar linn to see Nigerian-Irish soul singer Toshín Bankole meet Tipperary traditional singer, multi-instrumentalist and folklorist Cáit Ní Riain - le chéile, they explore each other’s musical worlds.🌍🎤🎹
Cara sa Cheol 🎶
Dé Domhnaigh | Sunday 🕥 22:30 @tg4tv
I’m hosting a Bandcamp listening party for my new album ‘Rise’ tomorrow night ✨
It’ll be the first chance to hear the album before it’s released on Friday — I’d love to have you there.
RSVP Link in Bio ✨🎶 🤍
Tomorrow, Ballydehob Jazz Festival returns for its 20th anniversary for the May bank holiday weekend.
Check out this beautifully written piece for RTE.ie from festival directors Joe & Caroline on what makes the festival, and Ballydehob, so special.
This weekend will see five headline concerts, two club nights, 50+ music trail shows, two aerial shows, clowning, singing & jazz dance workshops and a centrepiece New Orleans style jazz funeral parade complete with giant community made puppets.
There’s magic in the hills alright…🤍
@ballydehobjazzfestival@levis_corner_house_ballydehob
Out today ✨
A set of reels:
Martin Wynne’s No. 4 / The Humours of Castlefin / The Road to Garrison
Tunes I keep coming back to - full of drive, and shaped by recordings and players that have influenced how I hear this music.
With Ryan Molloy (piano) and Conal O’Kane (guitar)
The full recording also features the brilliant Kyle Waymouth (Canada) step dancing.
From my new album Rise - out May 8
If you have a listen, I’d love to hear what you think! #newirishmusic #irishtraditionalmusic #concertina #reels #irishtrad Videography: @michaelkellykelly
The West Cork Literary Festival 2026 programme is here 📚
Head down to Bantry from 10–17 July for an inspiring, jam-packed 8-day celebration of literature, storytelling, and creativity.
This year’s line-up features an incredible mix of voices including Sara Baume (@saraofthebaumes ), Jung Chang, Jonathan Coe (@jonathancoewriter ), Paddy Donnelly (@paddy ), Elaine Feeney (@ecfeeney11 ), Karl Henry (@karlhenrypt ),
Ashley Hickson-Lovence (@ahicksonlovence ) Anton Hur (@antonhur ), Charlie Mackesy (@charliemackesy ), Charlotte McConaghy (@charlottemcconaghy ), Dearbhla Mescal (dearbhlam), Annemarie Ní Churreain (@annemarienichurreain ), Laureate for Irish Fiction Eilís Ní Dhuibhne (@laureateirishfiction ), Miriam O’Callaghan (@instmiriam ), Louise O’Neill (@oneilllou ), Katriona O’Sullivan (@katriona_osullivan ), lan Rankin (@ianrankin2 ), Jessica Traynor (@traynorjess ), Sarah Webb (@sarahwebbwriter ), Djamel White (@djamelwhitewriter ), Nussaibah Younis
(@nussaibahyounis ) and so many more.
Expect 3-day writing workshops, masterclasses, readings, and in-conversation events, alongside a special focus on translated literature from across Europe and beyond 🌍
And it’s not just about the books… enjoy a Pop Up Gaeltacht, a trip to Whiddy Island, yoga on the lawn of Bantry House, or even a refreshing sea swim to reset between events.
🎟 Tickets:
• Friends & Workshop Booking: 7 April
• General Event Booking: 14 April
🔗 Full programme at www.westcorkmusic.ie
🎶 Coming Soon on TG4: Cara sa Cheol – A Friend in Music 🎶
A new six-part music documentary series celebrating creative collaboration between Irish-language artists and musicians from Ireland’s New Irish and immigrant communities.
Set in a rapidly evolving Ireland, each episode pairs artists from different cultural backgrounds to create bold new musical collaborations — sharing stories, influences, and traditions from Irish, African, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European cultures.
From first meeting to live performance, these collaborations explore identity, belonging, and connection.
Featuring Toshín Bankole, Cáit Ní Riain, Seamas Hyland, Shahab Coohe, Catríona Ní Ghribín, Sarraj Alsersawi, Aoife Ní Bhriain, Olesya Zdorovetska, GodKnows, Caoimhín, Ciara Ní É and Dara Abdurahman.
📅 Episode 1 airs Sunday 26 April on TG4
🌐 Available worldwide via TG4 Player
Produced by Setanta Films. Funded by Coimisin na Meán for TG4.
@setanta.films@tg4tv@cnam.ie@godknowsmc@caoimhinceol@aoife_music@caitniriainmusic@toshin_music@seamy_h@catgrib_@dara_abdurahman
