Iona Lynch of Cliffords: Egotistical men seem threatened by a girl with confidence

As they prepare to move to London and finish their debut album, Cliffords reflect on Cork’s rising music scene, artistic growth, and the challenges frontwoman Iona Lynch faces as an outspoken woman.

Guitarist Iona Lynch of Indie group Cliffords at the bands rehearsal studios in Cork. Picture: David Creedon

It has been a whirlwind few years for Cork indie-rock band Cliffords. After winning a University College Cork (UCC) battle of the bands competition in 2022, they released several EPs — most recently 2025’s Salt of the Lee — and have spent the last few years on the touring merry-go-round. When I catch up with the members ahead of their Heineken Greenlight gig at the Savoy on Saturday, they’re taking a breath after an intense first half of 2026 — if writing their debut album qualifies as ‘taking a breath’.

In a dark rehearsal space in Cork, the band’s frontwoman, lyricist, and guitarist Iona Lynch is seated on the ground, next to trumpet player and bassist Gavin Dawkins, lead guitarist Harry Menton, and keyboard player Locon O’Toole. Together they’re enthusiastic, informed, and passionate. Whether the topic is Cork’s music scene or sexism in the music industry, they come with opinions based on real-life experiences.