Cork-based duo Greene & Shine have announced the release of their new album, Like Sweet Summer Rains, marking a return to their original two-piece format. The record is available now via their Bandcamp page, with a series of Irish live dates scheduled in support over the coming months.
The release signals a shift from their recent work as part of the trio Greenshine, which included their daughter Ellie. Under that line-up, the group received a nomination at the RTÉ Folk Awards. The new album sees Noel Shine and Mary Greene revisit their earlier collaboration as a duo, continuing a long-running partnership within Ireland’s folk and Americana scene.
Like Sweet Summer Rains features ten tracks, combining original material with selected covers. The album includes six original compositions, one instrumental piece, a traditional American folk song, and three cover versions of lesser-known tracks by Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Jessie Winchester. Among the original songs, ‘The Night They Laid Me Out’ draws on a personal family story, while ‘Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí’ was inspired by a photograph taken on the morning of Greene’s wedding.
Advance releases from the album, including Dylan’s ‘Man In The Long Black Coat’ and the instrumental ‘Dear Little Snowdrop’, have received radio play across Ireland and the UK, as well as on stations in the United States.
Greene & Shine have recorded and produced their work independently from their home studio in County Cork, maintaining a consistent output across both duo and trio projects. Their music blends elements of folk, Americana and indie, with Shine contributing as a multi-instrumentalist and Greene focusing on songwriting. Her previous solo album, Sea of Hearts, received positive reviews, while her track ‘The Girl in the Lavender Dress’ reached number one on the RTÉ Radio 1 playlist and became one of the most played Irish songs of its year.
Both musicians have also contributed to recordings by a range of Irish artists, including Christy Moore, Frances Black and John Spillane, and have supported Mary Black on tour.
The duo will launch the album with a performance at The Corner House in Cork on 23 May, followed by dates at Cork Opera House, Galway Folk Festival and venues in Beara and Ballyvourney. Further performances are planned throughout the summer, including appearances at Cork Folk Festival and The Frozen Spoon in Miltown Malbay.
GREENE & SHINE IRISH TOUR 2026:
Sat 23 May 6pm – OFFICIAL CORK LAUNCH OF ‘LIKE SWEET SUMMER RAINS’, The Corner House, Cork
Weds 3 June – GREENE & SHINE Opening for MARY BLACK, Cork Opera House (The last of 3 dates supporting Mary)
Sun 7 June, GALWAY FOLK FESTIVAL, Monroes
Fri 19 June, LEHANMORE COMMUNITY CENTRE, Beara
Sun 21 June, Solstice Celebration, IONAD CULTURTHA Ballyvourney
Upcoming concert dates THE FROZEN SPOON, Miltown Malbay, CORK FOLK FESTIVAL