Rattling Ark is an Irish alternative trad/folk group formed by cellist and composer Kevin Murphy (Slow Moving Clouds), alongside Thomas Haugh, and Lizzi Murtough.
Yesterday the group released, ‘Leprechaun’, the first single from their debut album ‘Top of a Mountain’, set for release June 19th. Inspired by Maggie Barry’s rendition of the song, this version captures the madness and absurdity of Barry’s version but adds a haunting surrealism courtesy of a throbbing bassline, avant garde electronics and a deranged violyra solo by guest performer Aki of Slow Moving Clouds. The tune is also accompanied by an astonishing video made by Brian Kelly.
Rooted in traditional forms but shaped by experimental approaches, the debut album draws on influences that range from the acoustic interplay of Pentangle to the darker textures of The Haxan Cloak and the contemporary folk sound of The Gloaming.
Murphy plays cello and sings; Haugh works across zithers, percussion and electronics; and Murtough contributes cello, shruti box, keyboards and vocals. Guest musician Aki (Slow Moving Clouds) features on nyckelharpa and violyra.
While the cello is rarely at the centre of traditional Irish music, it takes a leading role here. Murphy uses it to carry melodies—jigs, reels and polkas—while also building layered arrangements that underpin a set of Irish and Scottish folk songs performed by himself and Murtough.
Haugh’s instrumentation bridges acoustic and electronic worlds, adding texture without losing the music’s grounded feel. The result is a sound that moves between the intimate and the expansive, keeping one foot in tradition while pushing beyond it.
‘Top of a Mountain’ will be launched at The Bello Bar, Dublin, on 19 June 2026, followed by a nationwide tour.
TOUR DATES
June 12 – Fennelly’s of Callan, Kilkenny
June 19 – BelloBar, Dublin
July 23 – University College Cork
January 23 (2027) – Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Dublin
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