At just 20 years old, with her 21st birthday only weeks away, Ballincollig native Ciara Kirby is balancing a life that sounds busier than most people twice her age. She is a full-time student at Cork School of Music, plays both camogie and football for Ballincollig with training four nights a week plus matches, and until recently worked part-time in retail too. Somewhere in between all of that, she has also been quietly building a music career.
Ciara’s love of music did not happen overnight and, listening to her speak, it is clear it was shaped slowly through family, encouragement and years spent around guitars and musicians who pushed her to believe in herself.
“Music became a big part of my life because of my family,” she tells All About Cork.
One of the biggest turning points came when her ‘bonus dad’ Kevin decided to start guitar lessons when Ciara was around 12 years old. Their teacher, affectionately nicknamed “The Rock” from Carrigrohane, came to the house for years and, according to Ciara, helped bring her out of herself.
“He really made me come out of my shell and start singing,” she says. “He used to say, ‘There’s no point in playing guitar if you won’t sing.’ From then on, my confidence grew.”
It was advice that stayed with her.
“Since then, I’ve never stopped singing.”
Music had already surrounded her long before those lessons started though. Ciara’s grandad is Ted Kirby of The Hollies and, according to her, guitars were always part of family life growing up.
“Every time we were in our grandparents’ house, the guitar was out,” she says.
“He has guided me for years. Every question answered. If I was ever stuck on a chord or needed help writing a song, he was always there to help. And still is.”
Over the years, Ciara also got opportunities to perform alongside her grandad Ted and her uncle Richard, experiences she says gave her valuable confidence from a young age.
“I also had the opportunity to play gigs with him and my uncle Richard too. It’s all great experience.”
Despite growing up surrounded by music, Ciara did not take the traditional route many young musicians choose. Instead, she enrolled in the Music Management and Sound course in Tramore Road Campus, something she now describes as one of the best decisions she has ever made.
“I heard all about Tramore Road campus and their wonderful Music Management and Sound two-year course,” she says. “It is without doubt the best choice I’ve ever made.”
The course opened doors to some of Cork’s best-known venues including the Opera House, Cyprus Avenue, The Crane Lane and Coughlan’s, giving her opportunities to perform in places many young musicians only dream about.
“The knowledge I gained was second to none,” she says. “Every single lecturer in that course pushed me to become a better musician. I can’t thank them enough.”
Those two years eventually led her to Cork School of Music, where she now studies full-time while continuing to juggle gigs, sport and everyday life.
Recently though, she made a decision that many young people might struggle with.
“In the last few weeks, I’ve decided to leave my part-time job and focus on doing some guitar lessons,” she says. “I have my car now, so nothing is stopping me.”
The decision, she says, was about finally creating more time around music and gaining flexibility after years of balancing work, college and training.
“I’m finding it works well for me because I can choose my own hours. And the best thing about that is that I’ll now have my Sundays free, which I haven’t had in two years.”
And there was another bonus too.
“Now I can go to all the Cork hurling matches.”
Like many young performers, Ciara is aware of how much social media now shapes music careers, although she admits she has not fully stepped into that world yet.
“I know everyone is trying to get noticed online, some with amazing talent,” she says.
“I’m not ready for that yet. But I will be. That’s my next goal.”
Her own songs are due for release soon and, when they are, she says promotion and social media will become a much bigger focus.
“As soon as my songs get released, which will be very soon, I’ll be promoting myself everywhere.”
For now though, live performances matter more to her than online fame.
“I much rather live, in-person performances than TikTok fame.”
Asked whether talent alone is enough anymore, her answer is refreshingly honest.
“Talent is enough, but you’ve got to hit at the right time,” she says.
“Being TikTok famous is a ten second opportunity to impress, then you’re swiped away.”
Despite growing up in a world built around social media comparison, Ciara says she tries not to focus on becoming like anybody else.
“I’ll be me and not a copy of someone else.”
That does not mean she does not have artists she admires.
“I do love Billie Eilish, her voice, her song arrangements, her whole vibe,” she says. “Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo too. It’s totally my genre.”
Asked who she would support if given the opportunity tomorrow, Ciara answers instantly.
“It would 1000% be Billie Eilish,” she says. “I love her. She is my biggest idol and inspiration.”
Her admiration runs so deep that she says she cried for weeks after missing out on tickets to see the singer live.
“But last week, I did get to see her concert in cinema form, which made me more upset,” she laughs.
Although many young singers dream about programmes like Britain’s Got Talent or The Voice, Ciara says she would never take that route herself.
“A few years ago, I did local talent shows,” she explains. “I’ve won something at all of them, first, second and third places.”
Yet television competitions hold little appeal for her.
“I’d never do a TV talent show,” she says. “I find they are scripted, controlling, and you don’t get a second chance.”
When asked about her proudest moments in music so far, two venues immediately come to mind.
“My proudest moments in music were probably playing in Cyprus Avenue and also Adare Manor,” she says.
“The whole room was silent as I sang, and I’ll never forget their reaction. It was a moment in time I won’t forget.”
Her first paid gig happened years earlier in Sliced Ballincollig when she was around 16 or 17 years old.
“The restaurant was sold out and it was a more intimate gig. All of my family were there too.”
Family appears repeatedly throughout Ciara’s story and, when asked who believed in her most, her answer comes quickly.
“My family, but most of all my Mum Tracy, has believed in me.”
Then comes the line that perhaps sums up their relationship best.
“She calls herself a ‘Momager’… but we call her ‘Tris Jenner’.”
Looking ahead to the future, Ciara’s ambitions feel grounded and refreshingly simple.
“In five or ten years’ time, I’d like to have my album out, maybe a few albums, to be doing gigs around Ireland and being someone else’s inspiration.”
And if younger Ciara, the girl learning guitar at home at 12 years old, could see where she is now, she says she would struggle to believe it.
“My very first gig was at 12 years old,” she says.
“If I looked ahead then and saw the places I have performed in and the college I am in right now, I just wouldn’t have believed it.”
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