The story
Dublin.
The road.
Zion.
A busker at fourteen.
Karl McConnon was born in Ireland and started busking on the streets of Dublin at fourteen to support himself.
He studied music at Kylemore College, then formed the duo The Temple Ba(r)stards with a cajón player and made a living on the streets of Ireland. Over the years he built a reputation in some of Dublin’s best-known pubs, including The Temple Bar, Oliver St. John Gogarty and The Arlington Hotel. He also founded Save Busking Temple Bar to protect the city’s street-music culture.
Photo: Ray Keogh“I started busking on the streets of Dublin at fourteen. I made my name in Temple Bar, and I left Ireland rather than stay quiet about what I believe. I live in Israel now, and I write from that conviction. You can’t kill a belief.”
Karl McConnon
Europe, the Middle East, Tel Aviv.
In 2015 he left Ireland to follow his own voice. He travelled across Europe and the Middle East and lived in Tel Aviv, playing music wherever he could.
Back in Ireland in 2020 he recorded the album “Journeys”, mixing his rock singer-songwriter roots with the sounds he found in the desert. It’s driving rock with live-band energy and lead guitar with a country edge. Influences: Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bruce Springsteen. Singles followed: “Same Auld Road”, “Stand Up and Clap Your Hands” and “Count on You”.
Photo: Ray Keogh“Heaven Has Gained Another Angel”
In 2024 Karl released his most personal song: a grieving prayer written after seeing the news. “God, can you hear our prayers / Let our people go.”
Recorded with Mikey Rogers at Sun Studios, Temple Bar, with drums by Nei Batera, and released with an official video by Record Replay Productions.
Watch the videoHe chose his side.
Karl is openly pro-Israel and pro-Jewish, and says so in his songs. He now lives with his family in the Upper Galilee, Israel, where he writes and records.
“For Zion’s Sake” is the sound of that conviction: a rock song about standing up for the truth, and for what you believe.
Hear the new single
Photo: Ray KeoghThe inner circle
First to hear.
First in the room.
New music, pre-sale tickets and the stories behind the songs. Straight from Karl, no noise.