Shania Twain Discovers Her Irish Heritage in the Form of a Guitar

This week, independent creative agency The Public House have once again worked in collaboration with EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and the Irish Family History Centre to celebrate the Irish heritage of a global superstar. Genealogy experts in the museum delved deep into Shania Twain’s lineage, uncovering centuries of Irish connections. 

Shania Twain has spoken lovingly about her Irish grandmother, Eileen Pearce, who was born in Newbridge, Kildare in 1911. However, until now, this was all she knew of her Irish heritage. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and the Irish Family History Centre traced her roots all the way back to Ireland’s pre-famine era, with links to both Kilkenny and Kildare. 

Upon learning about these deep rooted connections, and with the potential to present an ancestry report to the music icon, The Public House found a bespoke way to bring her lineage to life. 

Working with artist and musician David Rooney, Shania Twain's ancestral story was etched directly onto a telecaster guitar. With nods to Celtic symbolism, emigration, perseverance, and her roots in both Kildare and Kilkenny, the guitar brings Twain's genealogy to life in a unique and striking way.

Speaking on the project, David Rooney said: “My own family history of emigration made this process incredibly rewarding, constantly uncovering new things as I sketched, illustrated and burned this art onto a guitar for such an icon. It’s magical to think that someone of Shania’s stature might play this guitar, it’s really extraordinary, and I hope there’s a tune in it for her in the years to come ”

In addition to the guitar, a detailed breakdown of the illustration enclosed in an ancestry report was presented to Shania Twain before her headline concert in Malahide Castle on Friday 28th June. 

​​Aileesh Carew, CEO of EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, told us, “In uncovering Shania’s Irish roots, EPIC is once again shining a light on the astounding impact Irish emigration has had on the world. It was a pleasure to present her with this ancestry report and beautiful gift, and a pleasure to speak with her about her love for this land. We invite her fans to visit EPIC and experience the unforgettable stories of how those who left Ireland have shaped the world.”

Paul Kinsella, art director in The Public House, added, “Collaborating with EPIC, the Irish Family History Centre, and David Rooney allowed us to craft something really special and unique to celebrate the Irish ancestry of a music icon.”

This work is another example of the agency’s anti-formula approach to building attention grabbing work that is in line with their philosophy that ‘Boring Doesn’t Sell’. The independent creative agency works with a diverse portfolio of ambitious clients including FBD Insurance, EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum, 48, Cadbury and Barnardos.