Laois opens door for young Monasterevin star to make Electric Picnic debut

A talented teenager from Monasterevin is over the moon after making his Electric Picnic debut thanks to the help of Youthwork Laois.

14-year-old musician Cillian Brennan hails from Monasterevin, and as he puts it, he covers 'pretty much anything and everything, from American Country to Irish-Indie Folk.'

When asked about his origins as an artist, Cillian replied: "I’ve been singing all my life, but I got a ukulele for my birthday two years ago and started playing the guitar this time last year and singing along with it."

"I started to find my voice through my love of country music from the likes of Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan and Tyler Childers," he added.

As for how he got selected for EP 2024, Cillian explained: "I entered a competition run by Youth Works Ireland Laois after my aunt heard me singing at a family party and sent me on a link to the competition.

"There was an audition process which I got through and ended up in the final on August 9, which was held in the Dunmaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise."

He continued: "All my family came to support me! There were a lot of brilliant artists on the night and I won my spot!

"I was the only solo artist, the other three lucky winners were great bands. I was ecstatic, it was very surreal."

Cillian concluded: "When I got home I popped into my grandad’s pub in Monasterevin, where my brother, Adam, was working and gave him a massive hug; he threw me a guitar and I sang for the whole pub! It was a brilliant feeling."

During Saturday of the EP weekend, Cillian played on the Hazelwood Stage for half and hour.

He elaborated: "There were so many people there, the scramble for tickets with all my family members had the family WhatsApp group buzzing for the week!

"On Friday, I was a 14-year-old playing in the Dunmaise Theatre, and the following Saturday I was on stage at EP!"

Cillian further said about his EP experience: "I have to say, it was probably the best experience I’ve ever had.

"We went over on Friday morning and I picked up my performers band and then we all went in to the Picnic."

Singer Cillian Brennan from Monasterevin delighted crowds when he played at Electric Picnic 2024.

"I also got to see Noah Kahan, Amble, Teddy Swims, Kasabian, Dean Lewis, Kodaline, The Wolfe Tones and so many more."

In fact, Cillian enjoyed his time at EP so much, he says that it has inspired him: "This experience has made me want to create my own music, but for the moment it’s back to school on Thursday for me after an absolutely brilliant Summer!"

When asked about who he would love to collaborate with, Cillian replied: "I have always loved Kingfishr, I had the opportunity to meet them in Wexford recently and they played live on the street, and they were incredible. I love their music style."

One person who is very proud of Cillian's recent success is his mother, Hilary, who said: "His Dad, Allan, is a big music lover and loves a wide range of music.

"It seems that Cillian has found the same love for music, as you would never know what song he’s going to play next."

She continued: "He has played once or twice in his grandad’s pub and we are all a little bit in awe of this every time, its not an easy thing to do.

"Seeing him living his best life on stage in both the Dunmaise Theatre and the on stage at the EP was just amazing; the stuff of dreams, the smile on his face was contagious.

"The amount of people that showed up to see him was fantastic."

Hilary added: "Cillian also plays rugby for Cill Dara and The North Midlands and he had a blitz on Wednesday last week... it was so funny, the phone never stopped ringing during the day, everyone was worried about him getting an injury before playing at EP!"

Cillian also said that he would like to thank Youth Work Ireland Laois, 'without whom none of this would be possible.'

He concluded: "I have met some of the most amazing people on this journey and it has been the most amazing experience."