Dublin-based folk group Lankum exemplifies how traditional narratives evolve in contemporary contexts. Emerging in the 2010s, the quartet—Ian Lynch, Daragh Lynch, Radie Peat, and Cormac MacDiarmada—transforms traditional Irish music by blending folk melodies with experimental contemporary influences, creating immersive soundscapes that reimagine cultural heritage.

Their work draws from traditional ballads, work songs, and laments, yet ventures into experimental territories with drones and layered harmonies that push folk genre boundaries. This approach creates a dialogue between past and present, demonstrating how shared narratives adapt to new contexts while maintaining their cultural significance.

Socially, Lankum occupies a distinctive position in Ireland's cultural landscape, capturing nostalgia while addressing present concerns of migration, hardship, and resilience. Their commitment to authenticity—reviving lesser-known songs and reinterpreting classics with raw emotional intensity—shows how traditional narratives can be revitalised rather than preserved as static artefacts.

Culturally significant for bridging generations, their work resonates with traditionalists and younger audiences drawn to their experimental approach. In doing so, Lankum challenges stereotypes of folk music as static or overly sentimental, demonstrating the enduring relevance of shared narratives in a rapidly changing world.