The Way We Are

This week’s edition of NCIrish’s Album of the Week features “The Way We Are” by The Tumbling Paddies, the debut album from one of the most exciting six-piece bands on the Irish music scene, blending trad, folk-rock, and pop sensibility with a Northern Ireland heart.

About the Album: “The Way We Are” is the debut studio album by The Tumbling Paddies, released in September 2022 on Sharpe Music. The six-piece from County Fermanagh — Gareth Maguire (lead vocals, tin whistle), Ciaran Owens (banjo), Lee Jones (guitar), Martin Treacy (accordion), Oisin McManus (keyboards/bass), and John McCann (drums) — co-wrote the album’s original songs with their manager Andy Cox. Led by the hit single “The Way I Am,” the record showcases the band’s catchy melodies, foot-stomping rhythms, and harmonies rooted in Irish tradition with a contemporary twist.

Why It’s Influential: The Tumbling Paddies have built a devoted following through relentless touring and electrifying live shows, selling out venues from local halls to the 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin. “The Way We Are” introduced their sound to a wider audience and established them as a band to watch — equally comfortable at a ceili-minded festival or a mainstream country-folk stage. For NC Irish readers curious about what’s happening north of the border and across the island, this album is a perfect entry point.

“The Way I Am“: The album’s calling card and title-track in spirit, “The Way I Am” is an upbeat anthem of self-acceptance and belonging. Its singalong chorus and driving rhythm explain why the song became a staple of their live set and helped the band break out beyond their Fermanagh home base.

“Springsteen In The Dark“: A fan favourite that nods to the Boss while staying firmly in Tumbling Paddies territory — accordion, banjo, and all. It’s a good example of how the band honour Irish and American influences without losing their own identity.