Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, known professionally as CMAT, is a 29-year-old Irish singer-songwriter who gained fame during the lockdown era with her catchy, country-inflected pop songs. After struggling to launch her music career while working in various low-paying jobs in Manchester, she wrote the life-changing track 'I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!' in a moment of emotional turmoil. Her debut album, 'If My Wife Knew I’d Be Dead,' topped the Irish charts and expanded her audience internationally. CMAT is known for her vibrant personality, bold fashion choices, and outspoken views on social issues, including body positivity and capitalism. Her third album, 'Euro-Country,' reflects her personal experiences and the socio-economic struggles in Ireland, igniting conversations about mental health and the music industry's role in addressing societal issues.
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Recent news mentions
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson pops up like a periscope at the end of a runway 20 metres from the stage and surveys the 20,000 or more people in front of her.
Five-star performance by a pop star at the top of her game – The Irish Times
Ireland· 2026-05-31
CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, performed on the main stage of Big Weekend on Sunday evening.
CMAT hits back at 'horrible' abuse after Radio 1 Big Weekend set
United Kingdom· 2026-05-29CMAT, real name Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, has won the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Album of the Year for Euro-Country.
CMAT wins Choice Music Prize Album of the Year for Euro-Country – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-03-06
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson's Euro-Country tackles everything from male suicide to beauty standards.
Unexpected comebacks and operatic popUnited Kingdom· 2025-12-22
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, better known as CMAT, is an Irish singer-songwriter whose album Euro-Country explores themes of loneliness and alienation in modern society.
Flamboyant, furious and full of hope: CMAT is the sound of 2025 | John HarrisUnited Kingdom· 2025-12-21
CMAT is at this stage less a pop star than a phenomenon.
One of the best gigs of 2025 by an artist at the peak of her powers – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-06
CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, announced she will postpone her sold-out UK tour due to wisdom tooth pain.
Irish singer CMAT postpones UK tour due to wisdom tooth painUnited Kingdom· 2025-10-02CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, has been nominated for her third LP Euro-Country.
CMAT and Fontaines DC among artists nominated for Mercury Prize – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-10
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, known as CMAT, is constitutionally too young to run for president this year.
Eight people who would make a great president of Ireland – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-04
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, known as cmat, was seen in a top from Hildur's brand, marking her rise in the music world.
Elizabeth Hurley vekur athygli í íslenskum kjól
Iceland· 2025-09-01
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, better known as CMAT, is an Irish pop star and songwriter whose new single Euro-Country reflects the struggles of her generation in post-recession Ireland.
The emblem of modern Ireland? Not fiddles and Guinness but a soulless shopping plaza | Emer McHughUnited Kingdom· 2025-08-25
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, aka CMAT, has announced her biggest Irish concerts to date.
CMAT announces biggest Irish shows to date – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-22
Country-pop sensation Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson lets loose.
The weekend in pictures – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-04
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, aka CMAT, is a country-pop sensation from Dunboyne, in Co Meath.
This powerhouse set could be the performance of the festival – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-03Pop singer CMAT has criticised the cutting of Irish language lyrics of her new song Euro-Country on BBC Radio.
BBC denies cutting Irish language lyrics from debut broadcast of CMAT’s new song – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-07-23The singer CMAT shared a short clip of her new single on social media last week, with a sample of the lyrics reflecting her feelings about Bertie Ahern.
It’s a relief to know young CMAT was taking notes, saving up her rage at Bertie – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-07-19
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, known as CMAT, opened the main stage at Nos Alive 2025.
Entre tesão e terror, os Nine Inch Nails fecharam o Nos Alive | Festivais de Verão
Portugal· 2025-07-13
Irish singer CMAT ended her performance on the Pyramid Stage by saying it was 'the biggest moment' of her career.
Capaldi's comeback, celebrity sightings and lots of spoonsUnited Kingdom· 2025-06-30
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, known professionally as CMAT, is a pop star from Ireland who gained fame with her song 'I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!'.
‘Ireland is a really hard place to live unless you have money, which we didn’t’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-06-09
