Irish singer-songwriter CMAT has criticised what she describes as a “fake version” of Irish culture, accusing Americans and the English of constructing and appropriating an inauthentic image of Ireland that does not reflect many people’s real experiences.
CMAT, whose given name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, has shot to fame in recent years, gaining recognition alongside other Irish acts such as indie band Fontaines DC and rap trio Kneecap. The surge in popularity for Irish music and culture has captured attention in both the UK and the United States, but not without controversy and debate about authenticity.
Speaking in a recent interview with Glamour UK, CMAT addressed her growing frustration with stereotypical representations and the romanticisation of Irishness overseas. She questioned the prevalence of traditional symbols such as Claddagh rings and GAA jerseys, observing their appearance everywhere—often worn or referenced by people who may not have genuine lived experience of Irish culture.
“There’s a very romantic vision of Ireland,” the singer remarked during the interview. “But I grew up in a place where it’s not very fun to grow up. This fake version of our identity was being built up by Americans and English people and claimed for themselves.” CMAT’s comments reflect a wider concern among artists and commentators about the presentation of Irish identity abroad, particularly in popular media and fashion.
The rise of nostalgia-driven imagery and symbols can lead, she argues, to a distortion of what it means to be Irish, erasing the more nuanced, sometimes harsh realities of life for many in Ireland. The tendency to latch onto a universally cheerful or quaint Irish experience, CMAT suggests, fails to do justice to the diversity and complexity inherent in contemporary Irish society.
CMAT is preparing for the release of her third album, ‘Euro-Country,’ due out later this year. The album features material inspired by personal experiences, including a track about her appearance at Radio 1’s Big Weekend. The BBC was obliged to disable comments on the performance after CMAT was subjected to a barrage of body-shaming attacks online. The incident is addressed candidly in her song “Take A Sexy Picture Of Me.”
In discussing the motivation behind the track, CMAT explained, “That song is about getting fat-shamed on the internet all the time. I wanted to really dig into commercial attractiveness and how women are pruned into this marketable product until they turn about 27.” The artist criticised societal expectations and the pressure placed on women to conform to narrow ideals of attractiveness, particularly in the music industry.
She further noted the broader impact of such public body-shaming, particularly on her younger fans. “I genuinely didn’t care that people got so angry that I thought I was sexy, but it forced a lot of 15-year-old girls who love CMAT, who might even be bigger than me, to witness a level of vitriol against a woman’s body against her will,” she remarked. Her willingness to confront such issues head-on has resonated with audiences and opened up conversations around body image and online abuse.
The full interview provides greater insight into CMAT’s perspective on Irish culture, her career, and the pressures she faces as a public figure. It is available in the May digital edition of Glamour UK. CMAT continues to use her platform to challenge assumptions, advocate for authenticity, and champion more honest depictions of Irishness in popular culture.
Her remarks come amid ongoing debates about who gets to define and represent national identities, particularly in an age of globalised media and cultural exchange. As Irish music enjoys new waves of international attention, CMAT’s message serves as a reminder to approach cultural appreciation with sensitivity and awareness of the lived realities that underlie national myths and symbols.