Brenda Castles comes from a rich background of traditional music in Co. Meath.

She learned from neighbour Rena Traynor (née Crotty) from Kilrush. Rena was a relative of the renowned Mrs. Elizabeth Crotty (1885-1960). Later Brenda learned from well-known concertina maestro Mícheál Ó'Raghallaigh. 

In 2016 Brenda released her first solo album of Traditional Irish music on concertina, 'Indeedin You Needn't Bother' which received critical acclaim, positive reviews and frequent national radio play. It entered the top 10 selling albums on the charts of Custy's Music shop. She launched the album with concerts in the Cobblestone pub, at Fleadh Nua in Ennis and at the Catskills Irish Arts Week.

Television and radio work and appearances include TG4’s Glaoch an Cheoil, Gay Byrne’s Late Late Show as a finalist in the Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition, TG4’s Hup! And RTÉ’s Céilí House.

Playing with Mick Moloney’s Green Fields of America collective has sparked an interest in singing, harmonies, songs of emigration and songs from her native Meath. Performances with the renowned John Roberts have ignited an interest in song accompaniment on anglo concertina.

Brenda is much in demand as a performer and teacher and is a regular at arts weeks and festivals globally. She completed a residency at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris in August 2021 and is currently touring in the USA. She’ll be performing at the New York Tradfest while there and at the upcoming Temple Bar Tradfest upon her return to Ireland.

 

Brenda’s second album, ‘The Light Side of the Tune’, was released in November 2021. It is a collection of unusual versions of common tunes in the Irish music tradition.