What inspired IMLÉ?

Cian Mac Cárthaigh: I wanted to create something new in the Irish language, using different styles of music that hadn’t been particularly used for Irish music before – everything from indie to pop to trip-hop, and hip hop as well. Something different in Irish that I would’ve listened to when I was in school, or would’ve liked to listen to when I was young. I was inspired by Welsh bands, like Super Furry Animals, who were doing psychedelic indie and things like that in their own language.

What's the response been like, making music in Irish?

Róisín Seoighe: At the moment, there’s a big interest in music as Gaeilge in a modern style. You don’t really have to have knowledge of the language to enjoy the music. I think it’s cool to do more modern things as Gaeilge in a poetic way and through a songwriting perspective. I feel IMLÉ probably came before the big surge started, but it’s great to be in an era now where there’s such an interest in it.

How does your new song ‘Sláinte’ differ from your past work?

James Shannon: It kind of lands into the genre of pop and hip hop at the same time. I haven’t really heard much of that and I think lyrically, not many artists are talking about the theme of everyday life in that way – it stands out in that regard. I’d originally written it to a remix of another song called ‘Fáilte Isteach’ and that’s even more of a club song, it’s got a techno beat. So, I wrote it over that, in that quick style of rapping, which I honestly prefer.

How did you feel when you heard that ‘Peacach’ was chosen for the opening credits in Bodkin?

Cian: Delighted! Just really proud.

Neil Ó Briain: As a musician you’re always plugging away, working hard, so any bit of recognition you get is brilliant and inspires you.It’s an interesting time to be making music in Irish, because when people are watching Netflix now, they’re happy to watch it with subtitles in a way they weren’t years ago.

Ireland seems to be happy to accept stuff in other languages that aren’t English. It feels like a time now where music – it was always judged first and foremost on the quality – but the fact that it’s in Irish is almost an aside now.

• ‘Sláinte’ is out now