Sephira
Irish classical / traditional violin duo
title: "Sephira" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["carrickmacross", "musical-groups-from-county-monaghan", "irish-women-violinists", "irish-women-classical-violinists", "irish-classical-violinists", "irish-women-violinists"] description: "Irish classical / traditional violin duo" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sephira" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Irish classical / traditional violin duo ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox musical artist"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Sephira - The Irish Rock Violinists |
| background | group_or_band |
| origin | Carrickmacross, Ireland |
| genre | Classical Crossover, Celtic, Instrumental Rock |
| years_active | 2006-present |
| label | Cicero Records |
| website | |
| current_members | Joyce O'Leary |
| Ruth O'Leary | |
| :: |
| name = Sephira - The Irish Rock Violinists | background = group_or_band | origin = Carrickmacross, Ireland | genre = Classical Crossover, Celtic, Instrumental Rock | years_active = 2006-present | label = Cicero Records | website = | current_members = Joyce O'Leary Ruth O'Leary Sephira also known as Sephira - The Irish Rock Violinists are an Irish band consisting of sisters Joyce and Ruth O'Leary, who both play the violin and provide vocals.
They released their debut album Believe in 2006. Its style is classical crossover with traditional Irish influences.
Early life and education
The sisters are from Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland.
They started studying violin in early childhood: Joyce at two years of age and a half and Ruth at six. Joyce performed in the National Concert Hall, Dublin aged just three, playing a Bach minuet. She was named Ireland's Most Promising Violinist when she was nine.{{cite web |url=http://irishamerica.com/2013/08/sisters-sharing-musical-talent-and-health-issues/ |title=Sisters Sharing Musical Talent and Health Issues |last=Rota |first=Kara |date=August 2013 |website=Irish America |publisher= |access-date=2018-06-02 |quote= }}
Ruth studied music performance at London's Guildhall School of Music to study for a BA in Music Performance. She continued her studies in Dublin, where she received a first-class honours B.A. with a performance of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto at the National Concert Hall, Dublin. During her years of study, Ruth performed with acts such as Rodrigo y Gabriela and featured on their Live in Manchester and Dublin album.
Performances
Sephira toured the US with the PBS show Celtic Thunder between 2008 and 2010. Irish Music Daily They have also played with Enya, Andrea Bocelli, Kanye West and Michael Buble.
Specializing in theater shows, corporate events, and private events, they have performed at private events for Prince Albert of Monaco, the late Larry Hagman, Priscilla Presley, Linda Gray and the women of Congress in Washington, D.C. They have also performed for other dignitaries including a US president, US vice president, US Secretary of Homeland Security, and the US National Coast Guard Foundation.
Personal Lives
In 2014 the sisters spoke out about their health issues with hemochromatosis and autoimmune disorders, urging other people to get checked for these conditions.
Background to Albums
- "Believe" (2006). The album was recorded in The Cauldron Studios, Dublin, and was produced by producer and instrumentalist Bill Shanley. Other musicians featured on the album include Ruby Ashley, William Butt, Noel Eccles, Karen Hamill, and former band member Colm Henry.
- "Sephira" (2008) released for the US market. This was a mix of "Believe" favourites and the 2008 EP "Love of my Life".
- "Starlight" (2011) was a Christmas album.
- "Eternity" (2012). This EP was dedicated to their late friend and mentor, Larry Hagman.
- "Sephira Believe Limited Edition" (2016) This album was released for the 10th anniversary of Sephira's debut album, Believe.
| Artist = Sephira | Image = | Caption = Sephira photoshoot 2024 | Alt = Sephira photoshoot 2024, Dublin, Ireland | Studio = 3 | Music videos = 5 | EPs = 2 | Singles = 2
Irish Rock Violinists and sister duo Sephira have released three studio albums, two EPs, one single, and three music videos.
Discography
Studio albums
::data[format=table title="List of studio albums with release date, label, formats, and track listings"]
| Title | Release Date | Label | Formats | Songs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Believe | 1 March 2006 | Cicero Records | CD, digital download, stream | |
| Sephira | November 2008 | Cicero Records | CD | |
| Starlight | 6 November 2011 | Cicero Records | CD, digital download, stream | |
| Sephira Believe Limited Edition | March 2016 | Cicero Records | CD | |
| :: |
Extended plays (EPs)
::data[format=table title="List of extended plays, with release date, label, formats, and track listings"]
| Title | Release Date | Label | Formats | Songs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Love of My Life | September 15 2008 | Cicero Records | CD | |
| Eternity | April 9 2013 | Cicero Records | CD, digital download | |
| :: |
Singles
::data[format=table title="List of singles, with release date, label, and formats"]
| Title | Release Date | Label | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pirates of the Caribbean | 13 November 2020 | Cicero Records | Digital download, stream |
| Haunting 4SuMotion & Sephira | 13 February 2023 | Affiliate | stream |
| :: |
Music videos
::data[format=table title="List of music videos, with release date"]
| Title | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Love of my Life | August 2007 |
| Hallelujah | October 2014 |
| Pirates of the Caribbean | December 2020 |
| Angel | 28 July 2021 |
| Despacito | 27 August 2021 |
| :: |
References
References
- [https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/ruth-and-joyce-oleary-we-had-a-goal-and-went-for-it/30437623.html ''Independent.ie'']
- [https://www.irishamerica.com/2013/08/sisters-sharing-musical-talent-and-health-issues/ ''Irish America'']
- "Bill Shanley biography at Mary-black.net".
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::