It was obvious from an early age where Eleanor McEvoy's interests lay.
The career of one of Ireland's most popular songwriters started at age four when she performed at an Irish music competition as the lead singer in her sister's band. At eight, she took up the violin, and attended the College of music in Dublin for piano and violin up until 1985. Upon finishing school she attended the prestigious Trinity College in Dublin where she studied music by day and worked in pit orchestras by night. She graduated from Trinity with an honours degree and was accepted to the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. Eleanor worked with the Symphony Orchestra for five years before she finally took the plunge and left the classical world behind her to concentrate on her real passion - songwriting.

Eleanor McEvoy achieved star status in Ireland in 1992 when her song "Only A Woman's Heart" inspired the title for and appeared on, the "A Woman's Heart" anthology album. It has since become the best selling album in Irish history, even eclipsing records by such legendary Irish artists as Van Morrison and U2. "A Woman's Heart" stayed in the Top 10 for over a year. Many of her followers will remember her performance at the Ballyshannon Folk Festival in 1993 with the touring Womens Heart, one of the great concerts of the Festival down through the years.

1994 saw the world-wide release of her self-titled debut on Geffen Records, "Eleanor McEvoy". Eleanor toured the USA, Europe and the Far East in support of the album, building up a loyal fanbase and racking up international sales. Leading Irish music magazine Hot Press placed the album amongst the top debuts of that year.
1996 was a busy year for Eleanor starting with the release of her second album "What's following Me?" described by Billboard magazine as "a...as must hear album.." this release featured the single "Precious Little". Eleanor again toured internationally playing to sold out venues in the USA and Europe. The second single, "Whisper A Prayer To The Moon" was featured in the Pierce Brosnan film, " The Nephew", which was released August 1998. Eleanor's involvement with film continued with her performance of "The Seabird" for the soundtrack of "Some Mother's Son" staring Helen Mirren , written by "Riverdance" composer Bill Whelan.

Eleanor released her third album "Snapshots" in 1999. Produced by Rupert Hine, the album recieved rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. The Boston Globe described the album as "a gem...Its traversal of country, Celtic, and cosmic bar room styles is exhilarating..... SNAPSHOTS effectively freezes the listener in its frame". It was on the third US tour for this album that she began her collaboration with the Belfast pianist Brian Connor.

On the release of the latest album Yola, UK Magazine MOJO wrote that "....the glorious simplicity of this release feels like a homecoming in every sense. ...the performances are beautifully restrained.." With co-writing credits going to Lloyd Cole, and Henry Priestman (The Christians), the album is available on the new "super audio" SACD format. Eleanor and Brian Connor have spent 2002 touring throughout Ireland, the UK, USA and Canada and will be returning to the USA and Canada for an additional series of dates in Sept- Oct 2002.

As a songwriter Eleanor has had her songs covered by artists as diverse as Emmylou Harris, Phil Coulter and Mary Black. Caroline Lavelle's version of the McEvoy/Lavelle composition "All I Have" features in the latest episodes of the cult USA television series "Six Feet Under".
In February 2008, Eleanor was happy to be one of the artists who participated in the recording, The Ballad of Ronnie Drew, which features the cream of Irish rock and folk music, as well as a number of international names. In addition to members of U2 and Kila among those who streamed into Windmill Lane to contribute over the two days of recording were Sinead O’Connor, Christy Moore, Andrea Corr, Shane McGowan, Bob Geldof, Damien Dempsey, Gavin Friday, Jerry Fish, Paul Brady, Paddy Casey, Mick Pyro, Mundy, Chris de Burgh, Ronan Keating, Eleanor Shanley, Mary Coughlan, and Glen Hansard, as well as The Dubliners and The Chieftains. All proceeds from the recoreding will be donated to the Irish Cancer Society.

Its great to see Eleanor return to the Festival.