2025 Performers

For four decades, Altan has been to the forefront of traditional Irish music, blending the raw energy of their native Donegal-fiddle style with a rare, melodic sensibility. Altan has always been regarded as tradition bearers, bringing their native Donegal music to a wider public and keeping true to their roots, while exploring modern arrangements and textures to entice new followers.

Audiences from Ireland to Japan to Australia to Europe have embraced their heartwarming, dynamic live performances and their exquisitely produced, award-winning recordings. Over a dozen releases to date, ranging from the most touching old Irish songs to hard-hitting reels and jigs.

Adding to their long list of awards and honors, fiddler, singer and founding member Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh was the recipient of the Gradam Ceoil/Traditional Musician of the Year in 2017.

N.E.A.R.T is a vibrant new Irish traditional music band from North County Dublin and Meath, comprising of six talented musicians: Ruadhan Collier O’Brien, Niamh Landale, Ciannait Lawlor, Cathal Mac Conchra, Aoibheann Nic Conchra and Edith Lawlor. The group began as a school project with Coláiste Ghlór na Mara in Balbriggan .

Despite their young age, the musicians of N.E.A.R.T. have already gained recognition for their skill, passion, and dedication to Irish traditional music. Whether playing at local sessions, festivals, or special events, they captivate audiences with their lively sets and deep connection to the music.

United by a genuine love for Irish traditional music and culture, and the Irish language, the group brings fresh energy to the tradition while staying true to its roots.

Uilleann pipes, whistle and flute

Mick is a highly regarded performer and teacher of the Uilleann pipes, whistle and flute.

Mick has recorded and broadcast extensively both at home and abroad as a soloist and with various artists. Though Mick has delved into various different music genres, it is as a traditional artist that he is best known.

With his daughter Aoife Ní Bhriain and Emer Mayock, they released two albums from the Goodman Manuscripts, bringing to life music collected in the Munster region, in the mid 1800’s by Canon James Goodman.

Mick and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh have worked for many years creating a special fiddle and piping duet.

As Anita Botman says in a review of their first album “Kitty Lie Over”

“Now I know why this album is so well loved and has such raving reviews. It's an inventive album and a classic at the same time. I don't like the term "must have" but it does apply to this album.”

In 2023, Mick received the coveted award, “Gradam Ceoil na Bliana” (Musician of the Year) from TG4, the Irish language television station in Ireland.

Born into a musical Dublin family, Ciara Ní Bhriain started learning violin at a young age and with her siblings enjoy learning both classical music and traditional Irish music, which they heard regularly at home.

Now recognised internationally as a performer, Ciara has toured with artists including Birkin Tree, Carlos Nunez, and Frankie Gavin and the Provenance. She also spent two years as resident performer at Raglan Road, in Disneyland Florida.

More recently, Ciara featured as soloist with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, performing The Princess Grace Suite, composed by Frankie Gavin. A little closer to home, Ciara has toured Ireland with Johnny Óg Connolly, performing his composition, An Cosán Draíochta.

Ciara studied Audio Production and Music Project Management at Dublin’s Sound Training College and is currently working in TV production. She can regularly be heard on Irish radio and television, most recently appearing on TG4’s Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy.

Bríd is an Irish traditional fiddle player from Castlefinn, Co. Donegal and now living near Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. Encouraged by her parents she grew up learning and playing Irish traditional music with her sisters in the Finn Valley area. With music on both sides of the family she is carrying on the tradition of fiddle playing. She won numerous under-age All Ireland titles and other prestigious fiddle awards including the Senior All Ireland, Oireachtas na Gaeilge and Fiddler of Dooney.

Bríd an MA graduate of the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance at University of Limerick has toured extensively and has performed with many great musicians including Dermot Byrne Steve Cooney Donogh Hennessy Danny O'Mahony Arty McGlynn Harry Bradley Tony O'Connell and Cyril O'Donoghue. She has been hailed as one of the leading exponents of traditional fiddle playing of our time. Bríd is highly respected as a teacher and has tutored at many Summer Schools and Workshops throughout Ireland and in France, Holland and the USA. Her first solo CD was released in 2015 and has enjoyed much success to date.

Bríd teaches fiddle at all levels and has extensive experience over many years both in class and one-on-one scenarios.

Past teaching venues include:
*Fiddle Week Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal * Scoil Éigse (CCE) *Irish Arts Week, Catskills, USA *Fiddlers Farm, Niedorp, Holland *Joe Mooney Summer School, Drumshambo, Co Leitrim  *Café Concert, Toucouleur, Brittany, France

More information coming soon

Pádraig is one of the most popular and sought-after Set Dance Masters on the Irish dance scene. Pádraig hails from South Armagh, but Pádraig and his wife Róisín make their home in Annagassan and have been dancing together since they met in 1989. Indeed, it was through dancing that they first met, when mutual friends paired them together as the “perfect couple” on and off the dance floor.

Pádraig studied Irish Dancing as a child, but when he met legendary Set Dance Master Connie Ryan, he was hooked on the Traditional Sets of Ireland. Pádraig and Róisín were members of the Slievenamon Set Dancers who toured throughout the United States. They have produced two DVD/CD packages entitled “The Full Set” 1 & 2 with their group “Faoi Do Chois” (On your feet). They teach weekly classes in Co. Louth and workshops throughout Ireland and also have held master classes in the USA, UK, Italy, France, Dubai, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Corsica and many other locations around the World. They are regular teachers on Joanie Madden’s Folk ‘n Irish Cruises and at the North American CCE Convention. Pádraig has been the resident tutor at the Catskills Irish Arts Week since 2011.

Pádraig composed the Merchant Set, dedicated to long-time friend Ned O’Shea, owner of the Merchant Pub in Dublin, where Pádraig and Róisín taught classes for many years. The Merchant Set was voted the most popular set in an online poll. Pádraig also composed the CroisLoch Set dedicated to his parents from Crossmaglen and Camlough in Co. Armagh. It was Pádraig’s mother, Maura (RIP), who first introduced him to Irish dance. His parents went social dancing most weekends. Maura continued to dance until she was in her ninety. Their latest composition in The Corsican Set, based on the centuries old quadrilles still danced in Corsica today.

Pádraig is known for his intricate footwork and attention to detail in maintaining the special features of each individual set. He caters for dancers of all ages and abilities in a relaxed and friendly manner.

MacDara Ó Raghallaigh is the youngest of a musical family of Rathmolyon, Co. Meath and he was reared on music. Their home on the family farm was one filled with traditional music and song, and Irish was the everyday spoken tongue. MacDara Ó Raghallaigh fiddle playing is often described os 'brilliant', 'amazing', 'top-class'.
These accolades indeed fit well as MacDara has earned a reputation as one of Ireland's outstanding fiddle players. His playing style is highly individual, personal and deeply rooted in the pure tradition. What strikes you is the personality and flair in the music and the driving rhythm and pulse that is delivered by a powerful fluid bowhand.

Tom Doorley was born in Dublin in the early 1970’s and has been playing for many years in both Classical and Traditional music circles, in Ireland and abroad. In his younger years he received lessons from Vincent Broderick, Micheál Ó hAlmhain, Cormac Breathnach, the late Seamus MacMathuna and is heavily inspired by the music of Matt Molloy. After winning the All-Ireland flute competition he continued on with his studies in classical flute qualifying with an honours degree in performance in the Dublin Institute of Technology (TUD) and Trinity College Dublin. Tom further explored the development of his flute playing while studying with acclaimed flautists such as Julius Baker, James Galway and Marzio Conti in the Boccherini Conservatoire in Lucca, Italy. From his studies Tom has been developing a mix of methods in expressive tone, technique and interpretation in helping students develop their musical skills and musicianship.

After his studies he joined with the internationally acclaimed Irish traditional band Danú and performed professionally with them for fourteen years. He has toured the world performing Irish music and promoting Irish culture. As a recording artist he has recorded multiple albums and a dvd with Danú, Julie Fowlis ,and even featured on Disneys’ movie soundtrack “Brave”. He also had the pleasure in performing and recording with Irish singing legend Liam Clancy.

Tom currently lectures and teaches on the Irish traditional music course in Technological University Dublin (TUD). He currently holds the position as musical director of the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland (NFOI) where is composing new repertoire and developing exciting new ideas for this wonderful and vibrant orchestra. Tom recognises the importance of imparting his knowledge of music and sharing his experiences with students in helping them develop their musicianship and instrumental skills so as they can enjoy the richness and excitement of Irish traditional music.

Gradam Ceoil TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year 2024

Derek Hickey hails from Adare, County Limerick. Both his grandfathers played fiddle and his own musical career began at ten years of age when his uncle left an accordion in the family home. Derek progressed to dance tunes within weeks though he didn't begin lessons - under the tutelage of Donal de Barra - until he was 12.
Derek's professional career began three years later when he joined the Shannonside Ceili Band. Formed by the Liddy family the band was particularly popular in the north of the country. It also toured extensively in England and made regular trips throughout Europe. In 1991 Frankie Gavin asked Derek to join him for regular sessions in his then leased hotel in Kinvara, Co. Galway. One year later, at just eighteen years of age, Derek joined Arcady, Johnny 'Ringo' McDonagh's band. Frances Black, Brendan Larrisey and Patsy Broderick were also members of the band at that time and many other household names have played in the line-up, including Sharon Shannon, Cathal Hayden and Gerry O'Connor.
In 1995 Derek joined the legendary De Danann alongside Frankie Gavin. He toured with De Danann until 2003. He spent some time teaching as a button accordion tutor on the BA Irish Music and Dance at the Irish World Academy. Alongside teaching he returned to performing with De Danann and he continues to tour nationally and internationally.

Originally from Belfast, Colm McGonigle was first taught to play traditional Irish music on the concertina by his father. He learned to play piano as a child and later the Irish harp. While studying and working in Cambridge, U.K. he played annually at the Cambridge Folk Festival and performed across London including weekly sessions at the Auld Triangle in Finsbury Park, the Club at the Ivy in the West End and the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall. Colm was harp tutor for the London Irish Music School & Feith an Cheoil School of Music and taught workshops at The Return to Camden Town Festival, The Trip to Birmingham Trad Festival, Celtic Connections in Glasgow & Festival Interceltique de Lorient. Upon completing his doctoral studies in 2016, Colm moved to Dublin and now enjoys teaching and performing throughout Ireland. Recent performances include the Music Generation Laois Tionól, Céilí House to promote Lá na Cruite 2024 and Ceol Mharlaí Orchestra Concert at Féile Nasc 2025. This is his third visit to the Skerries Traditional Music Weekend.

Brian Fitzgerald hails from Bulgaden, near Kilmallock in Co Limerick.

He has toured with various Irish traditional music groups in Ireland, UK, Australia & North America , Australia & Asia.

He recorded his first album with Oisin Mac Diarmada (fiddle) & Michael Rooney (harp) in 2000. Brian was also a guest artist on James Keane's solo album( Sweeter as the years go by) along with the group Turas in 1999.

Brian's first solo album 'Turning Hay with a Crowbar' was released in 2023.There are also recordings of Brian playing with his wife, Lorna Fitzgerald (button accordion), on Seize The Moment in 2005 & The Teach Ceoil Concerts in 2011.

Brian has tutored at master classes at Scoil Eigse. Willie Clancy Summer School & in the University of Limerick as well as many workshops throughout Ireland.

He also works as tutor & assessor in the training of Irish music teachers on Comhaltas' TTCT courses.Brian has recently been added to the list of examiners for the SCT exams.

Siobhán Bhreathnach was born in Dublin and lives in Skerries. She initially learned the harp in school and discovered traditional music through the vibrant youth scene in south Dublin where so many talented musicians were based. She was recorded on a Gael Linn production (Bualadh Bos) and she played in groups with her brothers and friends and appeared on television and radio programmes of the time. She was a founder member of the all-women traditional music group Macalla. She toured and made two recordings with Macalla (Mná na hÉireann and Macalla, on the Gael Linn label) and has a solo recording of music from Celtic countries (The Celtic Harp, Ossian Publications) from which several of her arrangements have been published in an accompanying book. She also recorded a collection of songs for schools with singer Seosaimhin Ní Bheaglaoich and concertina player Mary MacNamara.
Siobhán studied concert harp at the Royal Irish Academy of Music where she was awarded a Teaching Diploma. She plays fiddle as well as harp and has a particular interest in the fiddle music of County Donegal.

Éilís Needham is a multi-instrumentalist from Hazelwood Co. Sligo. She has numerous All Ireland titles to her name on both the harp and button accordion and most recently became the Winner of the prestigious International Harp Competition at the O’Carolan Harp Festival in Keadue, Co. Roscommon in August of 2024. She was the All Ireland Senior Champion in the Harp Slow Airs competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Mullingar in 2022. She released her debut album titled "Fuinniúil" in 2017. Éilís has appeared on TG4, RTÉ and Raidió a Gaeltachta. She performed on the TG4 “Fleadh Fest” series that aired summer of 2021 and has won many competitions with her newly composed tunes. One of her own tunes was published in the Irish Music magazine in 2021. Éilís was a finalist in the prestigious Bonn Óir Seán Ó Riada competition that took place in Co. Cork in both 2021 and 2025. Éilís performed in the National Concert Hall as a finalist in the Siansa Gael Linn competition and she really enjoys teaching music on a weekly basis in Cork city.

Emer Ní Scolaí is a 21 year old harpist from Dublin. Her harping roots stem from age 7, when she first heard the harp at a concert and was immediately enthralled by its unique sound and presence. She has been playing classical and traditional harp ever since her passion for Irish music was instilled in her by her late grandfather, the well-known Clare singer and flute-player Séamus Mac Mathúna. She has had the pleasure over the years of having many opportunites to cultivate her love for harping, from attending music schools like the Willie Clancy summer school and the Cairde na Cruite harp festival, as well getting to perform both solo and alongside her two sisters in their exciting up-and-coming band ‘Sult’. Her favourite peformances include the 2019 spot on the Body & Soul stage at Electric Picnic, opening for Moya Brennan and Clannad at the Seamus Ennis Arts Centre and giving tribute to the great piper Liam O Floinn in the National concert hall. She attends the Fleadh Cheoil every year and is the recipient of 7 All-Ireland titles from the years in Sligo, Ennis and Drogheda.

Muireann is from Lusk Co. Dublin. She began learning the piano at the age of 5 and then started learning the harp and the age of 7.

Muireann grew up playing music with her brother. She learnt to play music in CCÉ Craobh Seán Treacy, Playpiano Swords and by attending workshops at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy and The Joe Mooney Summer school in Drumshanbo.

Muireann is currently studying Music and Gaeilge in Maynooth University.
She has 3 All Ireland medals from Solo Duet and Trio competitions at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. and is a member of the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland.

Larry Egan comes from Parkbridge, rural Co. Wicklow and has been playing the Button Accordion since childhood! By the age of eighteen, he had won four All – Ireland titles. In 2003 ‘The Kitchen Recordings’ album was released on the ‘Clo Iar Chonnachta’ label to much acclaim and was recorded with Sean O’Driscoll, in Sean’s kitchen in Cork. As a member of various groups, and as a solo artist, Larry has toured and taught Irish music all over the world including countries as far away as New Zealand, North America, Scandinavia, Japan, and China.

Ciarán Somers is an Irish traditional musician specialising in the wooden flute, Tin whistles and the Uilleann pipes.  He lives in Muine Bheag, County Carlow in the rural south east of Ireland. He has been a member of a number of performing groups including ‘Bearu’ and the ‘Geantraí Players’.

He has recorded tracks on a number of albums including ‘Wooden Flute Obsession’, a compilation of Irish flute playing and on ‘Selected Recordings from the Willie Clancy Summer School’. 2009 saw the release of ‘Faoi Bhláth’ - a duet recording with virtuoso fiddle player, Dave Sheridan and accompanied and produced by Guitarist, Nicolas Quemener from Brittany, France. Ciarán is on the annual staff of the Willie Clancy Summer School in County Clare and is in regular demand as a visiting instructor at a plethora of summer schools and music festivals.

David Sheridan hails from the village of Tubber, Co.Offaly. He began playing the tin whistle in primary school and moved on to the fiddle when fellow Offalyman, Dan Cleary, began teaching this instrument in the local town of Moate. As a young player, he won provincial and national titles both as a solo musician and in duets, bands etc. He was successful in All-Ireland competitions such as Fleadhanna, Scór and Oireachtas.

David has toured Ireland, Britain and USA with Comhaltas groups and has since represented Ireland in festivals in Japan, China and Mozambique among countless European events. He has appeared on most of the traditional music programmes shown on RTE and TG4, from ‘The Mountain Lark’ (1986) to ‘Geantraí’(2023).

In 1986, David moved to Carlow, where he now resides. He is a fixture on the local traditional music scene, playing in sessions and performing on stage. He met many great musicians here in Carlow and Kilkenny and with these heroes has helped to put Carlow music on the map. He spends a lot of his time teaching Carlow youngsters to play and some years ago helped to form RíRá, a teenage traditional performing group. Students of his have gone on to win All-Ireland titles for themselves. He also runs the Carlow Fleadh Cheoil and he spearheaded two Leinster Fleadheanna in this small county. He, along with wife Michelle ran a successful folk club in Carlow for 10 years, bringing the best musicians and singers to the town. He has recorded some notable CDs over the years including ‘Faoi Bhláth’ with flautist, Ciarán Somers, ‘However Long the Day’ with piper, Brian Hughes and two
recordings with ‘The Raw Bar Collective’ alongside Conal O’Grada, Benny Mc Carthy, Colm Murphy and Nell Ní Chróinín.

Troy Bannon is a flute player from County Meath with a strong rhythmic traditional style. He has played all over Europe, America and the UK with various outfits over the years, the most notable of which were Providence with whom he recorded the album 'Providence III' in 2005 and also made many TV appearances including the TG4 music show Geantraí. He is also a member of the 3 time all-Ireland winning Naomh Pádraig Céilí Band. Troy has taught at workshops all over the world and also teaches a regular class in his home county of Meath.

More information coming soon

Liam Flanagan is a fiddle player originally from Charleville, County Cork but now living near the town of Kilfinane, County Limerick. He grew up playing as part of Craobh Cronain CCE in Freemount, Co. Cork under the guidance of Con Herbert and Gary Shannon and now regularly performs with Derek Hickey, North Cregg, Danu, and many more, having toured across Europe and the USA. He has also featured on many TV and Radio programs such as Port, Hup, Geantrai, and Bosca Ceoil.

Guitar & bouzouki player with Arcady in the early 1990's.

Guitar with Sean Keane (singer) band 1994- 1996.

Founding member of traditional band Providence 1998.

More information coming soon

Vincent Doherty is a singer and flute player originally from Derry City, he has lived in Dublin since the late 70's. He first performed at the old Tradition Club in Slattery's of Capel Street in 1979. Since then he has appeared regularly at various singing events across Ireland and beyond. An exponent of "the northern style" he was greatly influenced by the singing of fellow Derryman Kevin Mitchell and Tyrone's Geordie Hanna. He regularly plays music in Dublin's Cobblestone Pub where he also taught Set-Dancing for many years. On the release of his album "The High Walls of Derry" Damien Dempsey wrote, "Vincent's voice lilts, flows, and weaves, leading you on a wonderful journey, a magic album.

Paul Bradley is a violin maker and fiddle player based in Armagh City.
His solo album Atlantic Roar (1997) received wide acclaim. Paul is a tutor at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy and with the Armagh Pipers Club.
His fiddles are played by Sinéad McKenna, Andrew Caden, Declan Folan and many other great traditional and classical players.

Paddy Tutty was born in 1981 and comes from Dungarvan, in west Waterford. Paddy’s musical start in life was a little later than most to say the least, as he didn’t actually start playing until he was seventeen. Coming from a musical family, Paddy remembers his grandfather, the late Tommy Norris playing the fiddle when he was growing up, along with Traditional Irish music being played on the radio at home. This was certainly a massive inspiration to him from an early age, however Paddy was never pushed into the music and thankfully this seemed to make him work even harder when he finally did start.

Paddy remembers being inspired by a Danú concert that he attended in his hometown, Dungarvan, Co Waterford. He started playing the bodhrán soon after in sessions in Dungarvan and very quickly progressed on to the fiddle. Paddy now plays regularly in his hometown and further afield with various other musicians.

Paddy is self-taught on bodhran, fiddle, banjo and upright double bass.

Paddy is a founding member of the group Caladh Nua. With four acclaimed albums to-date, the group formed back in 2009 with their debut album 'Happy Days'. This was followed-up by 'Next Stop' (2011), 'Honest to Goodness' (2014) and 'Free and Easy' in 2016.

Caladh Nua have toured professionally for over ten years and have performed all over Europe, China, the US and India.

As well as having a musical family background, Paddy was also very fortunate that there was a high standard of carpentry skills going back through the generations of his family. For his Leaving Cert woodwork project he made his first fiddle which would ultimately steer him in a direction that was both difficult but very rewarding. He has made many violins since and has come a long way to a point where he now has his own successful violin making business and has an instrument making website, paddytuttyinstruments.com

Between Caladh Nua and with various other groups, Paddy has played in the US, UK Newfoundland China, Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Austria and New Zealand.

The band has been fortunate to share stages with great bands such as the Chieftains, Danu, Dervish and Beoga and many more. Paddy is delighted to be able to bring his music and the tradition to
 audiences worldwide.

Uilleann piper Néillidh Ó Maolagáin’s music is embedded in a great tradition. He is a son of acclaimed Leitrim fiddle-player and piper Tom Mulligan and was born in Dublin. He is a piper for whom playing music is a lifelong preoccupation and who plays with warmth and emotion.

He has developed and cultivated his own style of piping, which is grounded in the styles of the old piping masters. He is a great admirer of Irish sean-nós singing and this can be clearly heard in his emotive interpretation of these great songs.

Néillidh has released three solo albums to date. Along with teaching and guesting on other albums, he has performed at many festivals around the world. He has collaborated with conductor Robert Houlihan and played with Orchestras in Serbia, Hungary, and Romania. More recently, Néillidh has performed at home and abroad with renowned Leitrim poet and playright, Vincent Woods.

His two sons, Fiachra and Oisín, are both pipers and fiddle-players and his two daughters, Caoimhe and Éabha, play fiddle, harp, concertina and are both renowned sean-nós dancers.

Dónal Kearney is "fear an tí" for Skerries Folk Club at their monthly session on the last Sunday of the month. His own folk project TRÚ has twice been shortlisted for the Northern Ireland Music Prize (2021 & 2024) and has toured the USA, Canada and Europe. He is also co-founder and co-host of the monthly Singing Session at The Seamus Ennis Arts Centre in the Naul. From 2012 - 2018, Dónal toured and recorded with ANÚNA across Asia, North America and Europe and his solo voice features on video games soundtracks for World of Warcraft and Nintendo. Dónal is a founding Director of Balbriggan's Irish Institute of Music & Song and co-founder of Skerries Pop-Up Gaeltacht.

John Kelly Jnr - Artist & Musician

John Kelly Jnr, based in Dublin, has dedicated his life to two profound passions: painting and traditional Irish music. A gifted artist, John has exhibited his oil paintings in Clare, Cork, and Dublin, captivating audiences with his striking landscapes, evocative portraits, and modern abstract works. His creative journey is deeply rooted in the rich heritage of Ireland, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of Clare and the vibrant cultural life of Dublin. Each piece reflects a profound connection to the world around him and a commitment to artistic exploration.

In addition to his work as a painter, John is a celebrated musician from a family renowned for their contributions to traditional Irish music. His father, the legendary fiddle and concertina player John Kelly from West Clare, was a towering figure in Irish music, and his brother, James Kelly, is one of Ireland’s most accomplished fiddle players. John himself has carried on this remarkable legacy, performing with groups such as Baker’s Well and Kelp, as well as the Castle Céilí Band and Ceoltóirí Chualann.

For over 40 years, John has been the director of the fiddle school at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy (SSWC), an institution deeply intertwined with his family’s musical heritage. Alongside his brother and children, who are also teachers at SSWC, John has played a vital role in preserving and passing on the traditions of Irish music. He continues to perform regularly in sessions across Dublin and Clare, enchanting audiences with his skill and passion.

John's music has taken him on tours throughout Europe and Africa, showcasing the depth and beauty of Irish culture on a global stage. These experiences, along with his deep familial ties to Irish music, inform his art, where music and painting converge in a shared celebration of rhythm, colour, and life.

John lives in Dublin with his wife Mary, a native of Kilfenora, Co. Clare, whose landscape and spirit often inspire his work. His artistry, both on canvas and in music, reflects a lifelong dedication to the cultural richness of Ireland and the power of creative expression.

Paudie O Connor is an accordion player from County Kerry. His music is heavily influenced by the the Sliabh Luachra musical tradition of East Kerry and North Cork. In 2014 with Aoife Ni chaoimh he released the highly acclaimed album Didn’t She Dance and Dance. Paudie learned the craft of playing for set dancers from the fames Johnny O’Leary playing for set dancers in the famed Dan O Connell’s pub in Knocknagree. In 2005 he released the critically acclaimed solo album Different State and in 2007 released Wind and Reeds with Jim Murray and piper John O Brien.

Jim became interested in traditional music with a group of like-minded friends and was taught by musicians like Des Leech, Darach de Brún and Mary Bergin. He was also lucky enough to have as contemporaries many great musicians like Dubliners Paul O’Shaughnessy and Mick and Denis O’Brien, and Kerry fiddler Maire O’Keefe. As well as these musicians, his flute playing was strongly influenced by the flowing styles of players like Paddy Carty and Paddy Taylor and later by the rhythm and playing of Donegal music. He is interested in the music of the North Dublin area and plays many tunes with local associations. He is married to harpist and fiddle player, Siobhan Bhreathnach and lives in Skerries.

More information coming soon

More information coming soon

Alan Byrne is a traditional tenor banjo player from Dublin. His playing can be heard at sessions throughout the Fingal area and at festivals nationwide. Alan holds a senior all Ireland banjo title and has toured with CCE on several occasions. He is also one of the growing number of traditional musicians who has moved to Skerries in recent years.

From Monaghan originally, but now resident in Swords, Seán is member of the award-winning Irish traditional group Téada and has performed frequently throughout the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. With the group he has also recorded six albums, the most recent of which Coiscéim Coiligh (2022) was released on the Gael Linn label. He is the recipient of a TG4 Gradam Ceoil award (2016) for his ‘Our Dear Dark Mountain With The Sky Over It' project, which focused on the musical heritage of the Sliabh Beagh region of north Monaghan/east Fermanagh. At present, he works at the newly established Irish Institute of Music & Song, Balbriggan as Head of Programme Development/Lecturer in Irish Traditional Music.

Fiddle

A highly respected fiddle-player based in Co. Meath, John has been described as “a supreme traditional musician” in recognition of his sensitive and rhythmical interpretation of traditional tunes. John has collaborated with many of Ireland’s leading musicians, and has been a member of a number of groups including with Bakerswell, Kelp and Providence, and is currently a member of the ‘Gatehouse’. A tutor at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, he has toured extensively in Europe, New Zealand and the USA and has a number of CD recordings to his name.

Guitar and Concertina

Dubliner Jacinta McEvoy plays concertina and guitar. Much sought after as an accompanist, she is a frequent performer on radio and has recorded with a number of notable musicians including the late Chris Droney. In 2009 she published ‘Dancin Time’ a folk and Irish dance pack for schools. She has appeared at a number of festivals with the all-female group ‘Macalla’ and is currently a member of the group ‘Gatehouse’ with whom she has performed throughout Europe and Ireland.

Bodhrán player Conor Lyons (Bodhrán & Bouzouki) began playing traditional Irish music from an early age, learning his craft from his family and neighbours. Throughout his career, he has featured on many different stages and shows and is a member of the critically acclaimed Irish traditional group ’The Bonny Men’.
His talents have brought him across the globe to perform his music, most notably at the prestigious venue of Carnegie Hall in New York. He has also toured extensively throughout Europe with various other high-ranking musicians and is a regular performer at venues and theatres across Ireland.
From a young age, competitions and performances were commonplace for Conor, and he is the only bodhrán player to claim the title of 'World Champion' twice.
He also plays the Bouzouki, a Greek instrument that has come to the fore in Traditional Music for which he is a great exponent of it. Featuring on many group and solo recordings of Irish musicians, Conor’s skills on both the Bodhrán and Bouzouki have come to be well regarded among Irish musicians and he is a highly sought after recording musician.