Episode 65 – Ciaran Halton | Music, Mental Health, Going Viral & Life Without the Drink

In Episode 65 of The Temple Bar Podcast, hosts Jim Win and Philip Noone are joined by Ciaran Halton — banjo and bouzouki player, viral Irish musician, and one of the most distinctive emerging voices in modern Irish folk.Ciaran shares his journey from a chance banjo encounter at 15, to gigging in Santa Ponsa, building a following on TikTok and Instagram, and navigating the real highs and lows of life as a working musician in Ireland. The conversation moves fluidly between humour and honesty, touching on mental health, creativity, alcohol culture, and why Ciaran made the decision to stop drinking — and how it changed both his life and his music.This episode blends chaotic gig stories, viral comedy songs, and deeply personal reflections on anxiety, panic attacks, and the pressures of performing while struggling internally.🎶 Live music included — featuring both Ciaran’s viral comedy material and a powerful original song written about mental health, sobriety, and recovery.In this episode:​How Ciaran Halton started playing banjo by pure chance​Bouzouki, banjo & the modern Irish folk revival​Going viral with comedy songs vs writing from pain​Mental health struggles within Irish music culture​Life gigging in Santa Ponsa & the cost of nonstop partying​Quitting alcohol as an Irish musician​Anxiety, panic attacks & the lack of rural mental health services​Social media, TikTok virality & handling online comments​AI in music: useful tool or creative threat?​The decline of rural pubs & the future of live music in IrelandThis is a funny, vulnerable, and deeply honest conversation about music, identity, creativity, and what “success” really looks like behind the scenes.🎧 Listen now and follow Ciaran Halton for more music, madness, and moments of truth.⸻🔗 Follow & Support📍 Ciaran HaltonInstagram / TikTok: @ciaranhaltonmusic📍 The Temple Bar PodcastAvailable on YouTube, Spotify & all major podcast #TempleBarPodcast #CiaranHalton #IrishPodcast #IrishMusic#IrishFolk #ModernFolk #Banjo #Bouzouki#MentalHealthMatters #MusiciansMentalHealth#IrishTikTok #TikTokIreland #GoingViral#SobrietyJourney #AlcoholFree#LiveMusicIreland #CreativeLife#PodcastClips #IndependentIrishMusic