Pa Sheehy at Christ Church Cathedral (Photos)

Pa Sheehy Warms the Heart at Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford. Pa Sheehy's acoustic set as part of the Winterval festival was a marriage of powerful music and breathtaking atmosphere, creating a seasonal concert experience as the Christ Church Cathedral Live Series continued on Saturday night.

The 18th-century grandeur of Christ Church Cathedral was the silent star of the evening. The towering ceilings, the ancient stone, and the gentle, festive lighting of the venue provided a natural, stunning echo chamber that elevated Sheehy's already compelling acoustic style. The natural reverb of the cathedral was perfect for his stripped-back, heartfelt folk-pop. Every note of the guitar and every nuance of his distinctive, gravelly yet tender vocal was delivered with crystal-clear resonance, turning a concert into a nearly spiritual experience.

The setlist and storytelling set perfectly balanced the familiar anthems with the deeply personal songs from his solo EPs and albums. Crucially, Sheehy’s engaging, often humorous, Kerry banter between songs—sharing the origins and inspirations for his music—connected him instantly with the Waterford crowd, making the vast cathedral feel like a cozy fireside session.

Typically featuring only a small ensemble of guitar, piano, violin, and cello, the arrangements were sparse but emotionally rich, allowing the lyricism and melody to breathe and fill the cavernous space beautifully.

The night was made even more special by the performance of the support act, Jordan Hart and his wife, Emily. Their set gave just a glimpse of their folk roots with influences from indie, pop, soul, Americana, and the immense voice of Jordan.