A SINGER-songwriter whose roots lie in Counties Fermanagh and Monaghan has released her second studio album, called ‘The Offering’.

The new recording from Clara Rose is a collection of 10 songs that bring the listener on a journey through folk rock, blues, funk, soul and contemporary folk.

Although Clara Rose now lives in County Meath, she has plenty of local connections.

Her grandmother, Elizabeth Monahan (nee Gunne), was born on the shores of Lough Erne and spent many summers rowing across to Trannish Island with her father to tend their cattle there.

Clara’s musical influences have come from a varied background.

Her grandfather, Eamon Monahan, worked as a musician until his retirement.

He performed across Monaghan and Northern Ireland with his show band, ‘The Northern Airs’.

Clara’s mother, Elizabeth Monahan (nee Deery), is a fantastic singer and songwriter and toured with many bands.

Her father Alan Monahan is a gifted guitarist and vocalist.
‘The Monahan Family’ have toured as a family playing shows in Germany and more recently, a mini-tour of Northern Italy.

Clara has an All-Ireland Medal for Sean-Nos singing at the age of 12.

With Irish traditional music being her influence at this time she then began to explore other influences and through her teens was a member of some ‘all girl rock bands’... the kind who never played a gig but practised every weekend.

In Maynooth University, while studying music, she was a member of the Classical Choral Society, The Maynooth Gospel Choir and formed her first blues band, ‘Jungle Train’, who did play gigs!

She began writing and performing her own music in university.

Her style developed and she began to play solo gigs on the Dublin Music Scene (Whelans, ‘The Ruby Sessions of Doyles) and Monaghan (McKenna’s Brewery).

As she developed as a songwriter/performer, this lead to the creation and recording of her acclaimed debut album, ‘A Portfolio’ which she independently released in 2010.

The album saw her embark on a nationwide tour with her band as well as achieve national and local radio airplay, TV appearances and critical acclaim.

Clara Rose is a featured artist on the 2013 album release from Irish Blues Harmonica legend, Don Baker, ‘My Songs, My Friends’.

She features alongside Sinead O’Connor, Finbar Furey, Mick Pyro, Liam O’ Maonlai, Brian Kennedy and Paddy Casey, among others.

Clara and Don formed a collaboration and recorded an album together, ‘Baker Rose’ (2016) and went on a national theatre tour.

In 2017, Clara Rose became part of a stage show called, ‘Ladies in the Blues’.

There are four women backed by a top-class band who tell the story of the blues through the female voice.

2018 promises to be an exciting year for Clara Rose as she releases her new album, ‘The Offering’.

It was produced and recorded by Gavin Glass in Orphan Recordings.

It features stellar performances from The Clara Rose Band - Sean Beatty, Tony McManus and Michael Black - aided by the musical professor Gavin Glass and guest appearances from vocalists Elizabeth Monahan, Claire McLaughlin and Paula Higgins.