Susan Rowland is the founding member of The BUGS.
Also a long time member of Sligo Band ‘Those Nervous Animals’, her claim to fame being the little voice singing ‘John’ in their hit single ‘My Friend John’.
Susan moved to Ballinamore in 2021 and put out a call on social media to see if there might be any adults in the area interested in forming a ukulele collective.
The response was unbelievable with people coming down from the hills, as far away as Bornacoola and so The BUGS were born. Our first year was spent learning and building a bank of songs.
We’re an eclectic bunch with windmill builders, company directors, nervous animals, retired teachers, tour guides and jam makers among us. We have an international component too, while we have band members originally from Leitrim, we also have BUGS from as far away as Switzerland, England and Mayo!
Many in the group had never played before, while others are returning to music after a long hiatus. Most of the BUGS had never gigged before so it has been a great adventure.
The fun and camaraderie in our weekly rehearsals is palpable.
BUGS has been a revelation really, a wonderful way to meet new like minded people and a fun way to make music in a relaxed atmosphere.
