Meet Laura Doherty: The Musical Journey of a Longford Native with BIIRD
Longford native Laura Doherty, a talented musician, is a key member of the 11-piece band BIIRD, which has gained popularity worldwide and performed with top artists. Laura, who hails from Moyne or Dromard in north Longford, started her musical journey at a young age, learning to play the fiddle and guitar. She joined BIIRD in 2024 after being invited by Lisa Canny, the band's creator, whom she met at a party in Gweedore.
Laura shared her musical beginnings, including her involvement in various bands and her tour with Celtic Legends after finishing her Leaving Cert. She also recounted her experience performing with Ed Sheeran and other renowned artists. Laura highlighted the creative freedom she enjoys with BIIRD and the opportunity to share the stage with music icons as her greatest achievements.
As a fiddle player, Laura finds rhythm to be a challenging technique, especially in coordinating both hands to maintain melody. She described life on the road with BIIRD, navigating logistics without a tour bus and the excitement of potential tours in Australia and New Zealand. Despite the challenges, Laura cherishes the camaraderie within the band and looks forward to spending Christmas with her musical family in Ireland.
While Laura previously taught music with Music Generation Carlow, her focus has shifted to BIIRD and other projects, leaving little time for teaching. She advised aspiring musicians to network with other talented individuals, take chances, and stay connected to their roots. Laura emphasized the importance of perseverance, support from loved ones, and enjoying the musical journey.