FREE EVENT - EVERYONE WELCOME!

The most loved event by the community is back. Come along for free arts & crafts workshops for kids, live music, classic record club with DJ Paddy, and refreshments available at Native Coffee’s stand!

Admission is free, open to all ages and people from all backgrounds...we can't wait to see you!

Super Sundays perfectly sum up what we are all about: supporting our artists, introducing, and developing new, young an emerging artist, and most importantly doing it with the full support and company of our loyal community. Remember to get here early!

STRICTLY 18+ - BYO

Kris Drever is among Scotland’s most acclaimed and distinctive contemporary musicians, celebrated for his warm voice, virtuosically expressive guitar playing and imaginative and evocative songwriting. Raised in the Orkney Islands, Drever has carved out a unique place at the intersection of traditional folk and modern acoustic music, as a solo artist and as one third of the award-winning trioLau.

Over the course of his career, Kris has won hatfuls of honours, including BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for Best Singer, Best Original Song, and Best Group withLau. His solo work combines lyrics of depth and authenticity with expertly pitched arrangements, exploring themes of place, identity, and social change, delivered with clarity, compassion, and poetic insight.

Kris will be playing some brand-new songs from his new album ‘Doing this for love’ as well as a selection from his back catalogue of originals and his storied interpretations of traditional material.

Theatre performance / Doors 7pm / Strictly 16+ / No BYOB permitted

The Duncairn is delighted to bring to our north Belfast community, Changelings, from Yorkshire-Ulster duo, Adderstone; Cath Heinemeyer and Gemma McDermott, storyteller-musicians with a left-field take on life, love and climate.
Up on a high windy mountainside sits a Cailleach, a hag whose days as a powerful goddess are long behind her (if they were ever quite as impressive as she remembers).

The world is changing. She who once held such sway over the weather has been usurped by humans.  

And a retired climate goddess needs a hobby - so why not take up kidnapping? But the only ones she seems to be able to reach are the different ones, the ones who find it hard to ignore her nighttime calls.
The Changelings. 

Adderstone take you deep into their world, through alt-folk song and proper good storytelling. 

"A sublime interweaving of song, spoken word and myth" (Tim Ralphs, Beeston Tales) 

 "We were somehow dropped into their story...I was totally riveted. People cried and laughed and sighed a lot." (Beth Guiver, Story Forge) 

On Saturday October 17th Community Garden Support and the Seed It Union will be coming together with Belfast Seed Savers in the Duncairn for a deep dive into the amazing practice of seed saving and why, especially now, it matters more than you might think! 

Showcasing local agro-ecological seed and demonstrations on how to save seed from vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit, this free event will give you the chance to get hands on with the amazing seeds that feed our world, talk with local seed savers and share your stories of the seeds you love to sow, grow and hopefully save. 

Feel free to bring your own seeds or come along to learn. We will provide envelopes and labels available to take away seed, and also give you a chance to check out the new Duncairn Seed Library.

Andrew Lintott will also give a scything demonstration at the Duncairn Wildflower Meadow. Andrew Linnot is a Heritage Mower, specializing in traditional, biodiversity-friendly land management. Rather than working with mechanical engines, Lintott advocates for the use of the traditional Austrian scythe. He leads introductory, hands-on participatory workshops that teach people how to assemble, sharpen, and wield a scythe safely and effectively. Come and help us collect seed and cut our meadow! 

This is an in-person event. It is free, but ticketed - suitable for all ages. 

Pre-book your free spot now!

This workshop is made possible by Live Here Love Here

Friday 16th October

12pm - 4pm

Cost: £40

Materials included

Knife carving, otherwise known as whittling, is one of the most accessible and enjoyable woodcrafts you can experience. During the class, participants will use traditional tools to shape green [unseasoned] wood. The beauty of green wood lies in its ability to be shaped easily as it is soft and easily worked with hand tools.

During this workshop, Stephen Ryan from Green Woodwork Ireland will teach you the skills needed to whittle wood. Each participant will learn axe and knife carving skills to produce their own spatula from locally sourced, freshly cut wood.

This class is suited to all levels including complete beginners.

NB: As you will be working in a workshop environment, sturdy footwear is important. A good pair of boots is ideal; if you have steel toe caps, this would be even better. Open-toed or low-cut footwear is not suitable and may mean you cannot participate in the workshop. The tutor will supply safety gloves but if you have your own tight-fitting safety gloves feel free to bring them along. You must be aged 16 or over to attend this class. All tools and materials are supplied.

STRICTLY 18+ - BYO - Doors 7pm

Hailing from Wexford, Rachel Grace is fast emerging as one of Ireland’s most compelling new voices in contemporary pop and soul. Blending heartfelt songwriting with rich, expressive vocals, she has built a reputation for crafting songs that are both emotionally resonant and instantly memorable.

Drawing influence from modern pop and classic soul, Rachel’s sound is defined by its honesty and warmth. Her influences span soul, folk, and pop, with emotion and authenticity at the heart of everything she creates. With a voice that moves effortlessly from intimate and delicate to powerful and commanding, she brings a distinctive depth to every performance. Known for her intimate and engaging live performances, she has supported the likes of Gavin James, Roisin O, Jack L and Wallis Bird and has worked as a session musician for Roisin O and Irish Women In Harmony. 

Rachel has been steadily gaining attention across the Irish Music Scene, with releases that showcase her evolving artistry and a growing fanbase drawn to her authenticity. Whether performing stripped-back acoustic sets or full-band arrangements, she creates a captivating live experience that highlights both her vocal ability and natural stage presence. Having just released her debut album ‘Never Grows Old’ to critical national acclaim, she will be playing her first Headline show in Belfast in The Duncairn on October 9th 2026 alongside talented musicians Amy Lindsay & Colm Lindsay.

This upcoming performance offers a chance to experience her sound up close—an evening of soulful melodies, honest storytelling, and undeniable talent.

Doors 7pm / 18+/ BYOB

Multi-instrumental folk artist Malin Lewis melds the Scottish West coast tradition, with a one-of-a-kind, self-made bagpipe. They perform in a trio alongside fiddle player Sally Simpson and guitarist Ali Hutton, making music filled with ideas inspired by European folk traditions, queerness…and the universe.

After having toured across the UK, Canada and Europe, Malin released their debut album ‘Halocline’ in May 2024 on Hudson Records to critical acclaim. A halocline is a visible layer that forms between salt and fresh water, and is home to its own unique ecosystem. For Malin, halocline is a metaphor for their trans identity and living in the space between.

Malin’s unique timbre is born from the deep connection that comes from making and composing for their own instrument. Their two-octave Smallpipe creates a whole new world of sound, captivating audiences at every opportunity. Inspired by the likes of Martyn Bennett, Duncan Chisholm and Sharron Shannon, their music is as lively as it is thought provoking and sensitive.

Recently, Malin has been recording music for The Outrun film (starring Saoirse Ronan) as well as composing pieces for contemporary dance and theatre. They have also been learning the säkkipilli, traditional Finnish bagpipes which fell out of popular use and became extinct in the early 20th century.

“Stunnin”’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - RnR Magazine

“New sounds from quiet genius” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Songlines

“In short, Halocline is quite exceptional”’ - KLOF Mag

*“Ground breaking Celtic music … Malin has taken the pipes to new levels of innovation” - Irish Music Magazine

“Ear bogglingly good... perhaps the most vibrant debut instrumental performance of this or any year” - At The Barrier

“The future of Scottish folk is here” - The Wire Magazine

Doors 7pm / 18+ / BYOB

Réalta, the dynamic Belfast-based traditional group, are an exciting act on the Irish music scene earning stellar reviews for their live performances and innovative approach to traditional melodies.

Réalta have toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia and North America and their unique approach to the genre have made them a festival favourite. Described by Irish Music Magazine as “A full-bodied pipe and whistle extravaganza” the band features dual uilleann pipes, whistles, guitars, mandolin, bodhrán and fiddle. Their infectious energy, impressive musicianship, creativity and deep love for the music is evident throughout every performance.

Listeners can expect to journey through energetic reels, rhythmic jigs, soulful airs and thought-provoking songs... blending words and melodies from sources both old and new.

Doors 7.30pm / 18+ / BYOB

Niamh Bury

Joseph Peach & Will Goan

Abby Oliveira

A Duncairn Cabaret this Friday, featuring one of the most captivating new voices on the Irish folk scene, Niamh Bury. She’ll be joined by the supremely talented Scottish duo Joseph Peach & Will Goan, along with some wonderful spoken-word musings from Derry-based Abby Oliveira. We hope you can join us for a chilled-out evening in the company of these three brilliant acts.

One of The Duncairn’s most loved events, Loungin’ is taking its unique blend of music, spoken word and storytelling beyond North Belfast and into communities across the city. Bringing emerging artists and established performers together on the same stage, these relaxed cabaret-style evenings create new connections between artists and audiences, offering affordable access to outstanding live performance in welcoming local spaces.

Doors 7.30pm / 18+ / BYOB / Fleadh Community Fringe Festival

The Breath bring their powerful blend of folk, traditional influence and honest songwriting to The Duncairn for a very special concert. Expect a rich night of songs, atmosphere and stripped-back musicianship from one of the most respected and distinctive acts currently working across the Irish and UK folk scene.

Doors 7.30pm / 18+

An unforgettable evening celebrating the masters of Irish traditional music, song, and dance. Featuring some of the most respected and dynamic performers in the tradition today, presented by Belfast’s very own Neil Martin. 

Oíche speisialta ag ceiliúradh máistrí cheol, amhránaíochta agus damhsa traidisiúnta na hÉireann. Bí ag súil le ceol cumhachtach, amhráin bhinn, damhsa a thógann an croí, agus croílár beo an traidisiúin curtha i lathair ag Neil Martin. 

Caitlín Nic Gabhann & Ciarán Ó Maonaigh

Caitlín Nic Gabhann is a leading concertina player, dancer and teacher from County Meath, widely recognised for her innovative work in performance and education. Ciarán Ó Maonaigh is a fiddle player from Gaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal, known for his distinctive regional style and long-standing contribution to the tradition. Together, they perform internationally, combining deep-rooted tradition with contemporary creativity across music and dance. 

Is seinnteoir consairtín, damhsóir agus múinteoir iomráiteach as Contae na Mí í Caitlín Nic Gabhann, a bhfuil aithne mhór uirthi as a cuid oibre nuálaí i gcúrsaí léirithe agus oideachais. Is fidléir as Gaoth Dobhair, Contae Dhún na nGall é Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, a bhfuil cáil air as a stíl shainiúil dhúchasach agus as a chuid oibre leanúnaí sa traidisiún.

Le chéile, bíonn siad ag seinm go hidirnáisiúnta, ag ceangal traidisiún domhain fréamhaithe le cruthaitheacht chomhaimseartha trí cheol agus damhsa.

Oisín MacDiarmada & Samantha Harvey

Oisín MacDiarmada is an All-Ireland champion fiddler and founder of the internationally acclaimed group Téada. A leading figure in the Sligo tradition, he has toured globally and co-authored The Fiddlers of Sligo Tunebook. Samantha Harvey is an award-winning step dancer, pianist and accordionist who performs internationally with Téada and major touring productions. 

Is fidléir as Contae Shligigh é Oisín Mac Diarmada agus bunaitheoir an ghrúpa cháiliúil Téada. Mar dhuine de mhórphearsana thraidisiún Shligigh, tá camchuairt déanta aige ar fud an domhain agus bhí sé mar chomhúdar ar The Fiddlers of Sligo Tunebook.

Is damhsóir, pianódóir agus seinnteoir bosca ceoil í Samantha Harvey a bhfuil gradaim mhóra bainte amach aici agus a bhíonn ag seinm go hidirnáisiúnta le Téada agus le léirithe móra eile.

Daibhidh Stiùbhard

A traditional singer from Co. Tyrone, Daibhidh Stiùbhard is known for his distinctive voice and repertoire spanning Irish and Scots Gaelic song. His debut album An Sionnach Dubh (2020) reflects a deep connection to language and tradition. A Fleadh-winning singer, he has performed at festivals including Celtic Connections and featured on BBC Radio Ulster. 

Is amhránaí traidisiúnta as Contae Thír Eoghain é Daibhidh Stiùbhard, a bhfuil cáil air as a ghlór sainiúil agus as a stór amhrán Gaeilge agus Gàidhlig na hAlban. Léiríonn a chéad albam An Sionnach Dubh (2020) nasc domhain leis an teanga agus leis an traidisiún. Mar amhránaí a bhain duaiseanna amach ag Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, tá sé tar éis bheith ag seinm ag féilte ar nós Celtic Connections agus bíonn sé le cloisteáil ar BBC Radio Uladh.

Neil Martin (MC)

Belfast-born composer, cellist and uilleann piper Neil Martin has built an international career spanning opera, theatre, film and concert music. His work has been performed worldwide, from the Royal Albert Hall to Carnegie Hall, and he has collaborated with artists including Seamus Heaney, Liam O’Flynn and Jean Butler. A prolific producer and arranger, he has contributed to over 100 albums and continues to explore connections between traditional and contemporary music. 

Cumadóir, dordveidhleadóir agus píobaire uilleann as Béal Feirste é Neil Martin, a bhfuil gairm idirnáisiúnta tógtha aige i réimsí na ceoldrámaíochta, na hamharclannaíochta agus an scannánaíochta. Tá a shaothar léirithe ar fud an domhain, ón Royal Albert Hall go Carnegie Hall, agus chomhoibrigh sé le healaíontóirí ar nós Seamus Heaney, Liam Ó Floinn agus Jean Butler. Mar léiritheoir agus cumadóir ceoil, chuir sé le breis agus 100 albam agus leanann sé air ag fiosrú na gceangail idir ceol traidisiúnta agus ceol comhaimseartha.

Beidh Neil mar fhear an tí ar an oíche.

Conor Connolly

A TG4 Young Musician of the Year (2019), Conor Connolly is a button accordion player, pianist and singer from Clarinbridge, Co. Galway. Rooted in a rich musical tradition, his influences span leading accordionists, pipers and early 20th-century Sligo musicians. He has toured widely, performs regularly at festivals and summer schools, and represented Ireland at Expo 2020 in Dubai. 

Buaiteoir Ghradam Ceoltóir Óg na Bliana TG4 (2019), is seinnteoir bosca ceoil, pianódóir agus amhránaí as Droichead an Chláirín, Contae na Gaillimhe é Conor Connolly. Tá sé fréamhaithe i dtraidisiún saibhir ceoil agus tá tionchar ag ceoltóirí móra bosca ceoil, píobairí agus ceoltóirí Shligigh ó thús an 20ú haois ar a stíl. Tá camchuairt mhór déanta aige, bíonn sé ag seinm go rialta ag féilte agus scoileanna samhraidh, agus rinne sé ionadaíocht ar Éirinn ag Expo 2020 i Dubai.

Mirella Murray

From Claddaghduff, Connemara, Mirella Murray is an All-Ireland champion accordion player who grew up immersed in traditional music. She has performed internationally and recorded acclaimed work including Three Sunsets with Tola Custy. A highly respected teacher, she has mentored numerous All-Ireland winners and is a long-standing member of Cherish the Ladies. 

As an gClochán Dubh i gConamara í Mirella Murray, seinnteoir bosca ceoil agus buaiteoir ar Chraobh na hÉireann a tógadh i gcroílár an traidisiúin. Tá sí tar éis seinm agus taifeadadh go hidirnáisiúnta, lena n-áirítear an saothar mór le rá Three Sunsets le Tola Custy. Mar mhúinteoir a bhfuil ardmheas uirthi, threoraigh sí go leor buaiteoirí uile-Éireann agus tá sí ina ball de Cherish the Ladies le blianta fada.

Robbie Harris

Robbie Harris is one of Ireland’s foremost percussionists, known for his work with Jiggy, Pólca 4 and numerous international artists. His playing blends Irish traditional rhythm with global percussion styles, bringing a distinctive energy to ensemble performance. A respected educator, he has worked extensively in music education and outreach across Ireland. 

Tá Robbie Harris ar dhuine de na cnagcheoltóirí is tábhachtaí in Éirinn, agus cáil air as a chuid oibre le Jiggy, Pólca 4 agus go leor ealaíontóirí idirnáisiúnta eile. Cumascann a sheinm rithimí traidisiúnta na hÉireann le stíleanna cnaguirlisí ó gach cearn den domhan, rud a thugann fuinneamh sainiúil dá chuid oibre. Mar oideachasóir a bhfuil meas mór air, d’oibrigh sé go fairsing i gcúrsaí oideachais agus for-rochtana ceoil ar fud na hÉireann.

George McAdam

A tenor banjo player from Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, George McAdam is recognised as one of the foremost players of his generation. An All-Ireland Senior Banjo Champion (2015), he has won multiple titles across banjo, mandolin and céilí drums. A member of the All-Ireland-winning Blackwater Céilí Band, he performs widely and is a sought-after tutor at festivals and summer schools. 

Is seinnteoir bainseó as Béal Átha Beithe, Contae Mhuineacháin é George McAdam, agus aithnítear é mar dhuine de na ceoltóirí is fearr dá ghlúin. Tá iliomad teideal bainte amach aige ar an bhainseó, ar an mandailín agus ar na drumaí céilí. Mar bhall den Blackwater Céilí Band a bhuaigh Craobh na hÉireann, bíonn sé ag seinm go fairsing agus tá éileamh mór air mar theagascóir ag féilte agus scoileanna samhraidh.

Donogh Hennessy

Donogh Hennessy is a highly influential guitarist, best known as a founding member of Lúnasa and for his work with Lumiere. Renowned for his distinctive accompaniment style, he has collaborated with many leading figures in Irish traditional music. His playing has helped redefine the role of guitar in traditional ensembles, combining subtlety, rhythm and innovation. 

Is giotáraí mór le rá é Donogh Hennessy, agus is fearr aithne air mar bhall bunaithe de na grúpaí Lúnasa agus Lumiere. Tá cáil air as a stíl shainiúil tionlacain agus chomhoibrigh sé le go leor de mhórphearsana cheol traidisiúnta na hÉireann. Chabhraigh a sheinm le ról an ghiotáir i ngrúpaí traidisiúnta a athshainiú, ag comhcheangal rithime agus nuálaíochta.

Doors 7.30pm / BYOB / Fleadh Community Fringe Festival

Belfast favourite , John Spillane returns to The Duncairn alongside rising folk artist Lorraine Nash and special guests. 

Described by Christy Moore as “one of Ireland’s greatest songwriters”, Spillane’s latest album won Best Album at the 2025 RTÉ Folk Awards. A beautiful evening of songs, stories and world-class musicianship awaits.

Sunday 28th June

11am - 1pm

One day class

Cost £10

Materials included.

During this workshop you will be introduced to different eco-photography methods that use natural materials, plants and light to make photographic prints. After an introduction to cyanotype, anthotype and lumen printing – you will make a unique photographic print using one of these methods. While traditional photography development processes involve a range of chemicals, this workshop will introduce non-toxic and environmentally friendly techniques on paper. 

About Kasia:

Kasia is an artist and educator living in Co. Kilkenny. Her practice is led by issues of eco-social concern and she has contributed to various art and ecology projects including ‘Let The Long Grass Grow’ in collaboration with The Acorn Project, Kilkenny (2023-2024), ‘Human Lab’ at Electric Picnic curated by Aisling Murray (2022), ‘Community Vaults’ at Axis Ballymun curated by Maeve Stone (2021-2022), ‘Seeds of the Future’ at the Kilkenny School of Food (2021), and ‘How do we start?’ (2021), a climate art magazine. She holds a BA in Photography fromTUDublinand an MA in Social Practice from the Limerick School of Art & Design, TUS with First Class Hons.

Supported by City Airport Community Fund

Doors 7pm / 18+

The prestigious Loud Poets Slam Series returns for its fourth year! Watch Belfast’s top poets compete in one of 10 heats taking place across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland for the biggest prize in UK slam poetry. The winner will take home £200 and qualify for the 2026 Grand Slam Final in Edinburgh, with a £3,000 cash prize! Featuring Abby Oliveria as sacrificial poet, this slam heat will be an electric celebration of the very best of spoken word. Sign up via iamloud.co/slam

I Am Loud Productions is Scotland’s premiere spoken word poetry organisation. Since February 2014, they have produced spoken word poetry events across Scotland, the UK, and Europe. Their monthly Loud Poets showcases in Edinburgh and across Scotland feature a curated selection of spoken word talent performing with live music. Their annual Slam Series features regional heats across Scotland and Edinburgh culminating in a Grand Slam Final with a £3,000 cash prize. Each August at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, they feature the festival’s best spoken word poets at their shows. They also host twice-monthly open mics in Edinburgh and facilitate an online writing community with monthly workshops. Their YouTube channel features hundreds of videos of spoken word performances, video podcasts, workshops, and other resources.

Saturday 27th June

10am - 1pm

One day class

Cost £10

Materials included.

Discover the beauty of plant-based dyes and inks in this workshop exploring natural colour from locally foraged and grown plant. You will experiment with creating some simple inks and creating your own hand-printed designs on fabric using an array of decorative wood blocks and printing inks made from natural dyes. All materials are provided for this workshop.

About Ruth:

I am an Irish Textile Artist and Printmaker based in rural County Down. My work is linked to place, seasonal transitions, and heritage. I use a range of printmaking processes, in particular the historic process of Nature Printing, and the Heritage Crafts of natural dyeing and pigment making to create original artworks on Irish Linen. My work references the landscape through the creation of site-responsive artwork that often draws upon materials that can be found naturally occurring in nature: from flora for printing and natural dyeing to the use of earth and clay for pigment making. 

Supported by City Airport Community Fund

Doors 7pm - Strictly 18+ - BYOB

Lōwli and Laura Ampersand bring their double-headline live show to the Duncairn, Belfast on 19th June 2026. This show is part of their 'Acoustic Piano Tour' of Ireland, a series of intimate concerts in unique spaces - all performed on acoustic pianos.

Lōwli

Lōwli is the solo-project of Roisin Lowry, a composer and musician hailing from Galway, Ireland. Her music, an enchanting blend of elegant piano arrangements, delicate strings and haunting vocals, has charmed and captivated audiences around the country. Described by the Irish Times as “neat spookiness with beautifully arranged melodies”, her work bears elements of neoclassical and dark folk. Her music has been influenced by artists such as Agnes Obel and Olafur Arnalds.

Lōwli has performed on stages at Other Voices, Ireland Music Week & Piano Day Dublin, to name a few. Her music has been played on RTE Radio 1, BBC Radio and more, as has been featured on The Irish Times, the RTE Radio 1 Recommends List and Hot Press Magazine. Lōwli's single 'Worlds Above Us' was selected to soundtrack Tourism Ireland's 2025 global tourism campaign 'Ireland Unrushed'.

Lōwli released her debut album, Window in the Woods, in October 2025 to critical acclaim and launched it with a sold-out headline show in Dublin Unitarian Church. Lōwli is preparing to tour the album in 2026, and has started work on her second album.

Lōwli will be joined by cellist Rob Campbell at the Duncairn on June 19th 2026.

Laura Ampersand

Laura Ryder is a piano-wielding songwriter and composer from Co. Mayo, who performs with a varying line up of talented collaborators under the name Laura Ampersand. For fans of the likes of Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor, Ben Folds and Joanna Newsom, Laura writes piano-based songs which range from classical-influenced lyrical pieces to energetic full-band alt-pop arrangements.

She has supported the likes of BC Camplight, Síomha and Last Apollo, and played festivals such as Other Voices, Body and Soul, Electric Picnic, and Knockanstockan. Laura Ampersand's first single, 24, was released in late 2025.

FREE EVENT - EVERYONE WELCOME!

The most loved event by the community is back. Come along for free arts & crafts workshops for kids, live music, classic record club with DJ Paddy, and refreshments available at Happy Out’s coffee stand!

Admission is free, open to all ages and people from all backgrounds...we can't wait to see you!

Super Sundays perfectly sum up what we are all about: supporting our artists, introducing, and developing new, young an emerging artist, and most importantly doing it with the full support and company of our loyal community. Remember to get here early!

STRICTLY 18+ - BYO

Doors 7pm

Chris Brain is a Yorkshire-based folk singer-songwriter whose work sits firmly in the British pastoral tradition,shaped by close attention to place, memory and emotional nuance. His fourth album, Red Sun Rising (2026), is a quietly powerful collection of songs centred on yearning, restlessness and the desire for change. 

Rooted in acoustic textures and intimate storytelling, Red Sun Rising feels like a record made in motion: landscapes shifting, seasons turning, inner lives gently unsettled. 

Brain’s songwriting balances melody and restraint. A familiar voice on BBC Radio 6 Music and the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show, Chris has shared the stage with iconic acts like Robert Plant, Jacqui McShee and Martin Simpson.

‘Golden Days’,the first single from his debut album Steady Away is prominently featured in the A24 film We Live In Time, starring Oscar-nominated actors Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. In Spring 2025, Chris embarked on a near sell-outUK/Ireland solo tour including a packed hometown show at Leeds’ Brudenell Social Club. 

He rounded off the year with a sold-out seven-date tour of Japan and a headline performance at the iconic Union Chapel, accompanied by Lockeland Strings. 

In 2026, Chris performs a headline show at The Tron Theatre, Glasgow as part of Celtic Connections and a seventeen date UK and Ireland tour is planned to mark the release of Red Sun Rising.

“There are shades of the master Ralph McTell here and I can think of no greater compliment than that, I love It” –Mark Radcliffe, BBC 2 Folk Show

"Yorkshire singer songwriter Brain consistently impresses with his third album” -★★★★ Daily Express

“Contemporary folk song at its finest”-★★★★ Songlines Magazine

EVENING SHOW: Doors 7pm, Strictly 18+, BYOB

Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet move with ease and confidence between swampy jazz, raucous brass, fractured funk, blues balladry, and gorgeous folkloric textures. Connolly’s powerhouse vocals lead the charge, blending mischief, protest and vulnerability into something fiercely human and utterly live. Honeyfeet holds all of this together with a groove and a commitment to musical freedom. The lineup consists of Lorien Garth Edwards on bass, Ellis Davies on guitar, John Ellis on keyboards, Biff Roxby on brass, and Phill Howley on drums form a fluid and fearless musical unit.

Honeyfeet Presents: The Heads, Hearts and Hooves Tour, a bold and celebratory chapter in the journey of one of the most electrifying and genre-defying live acts performing today. Following a string of unforgettable performances, growing international recognition and a new body of work, the band sets out across Europe and North America, carrying their signature blend of protest soul, twisted folk, deep groove and joyful abandon.

At the heart of Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet is the indomitable Ríoghnach Connolly, whose voice is equal parts fierce, tender and fearless, connecting ancestral song traditions with contemporary storytelling. She has won the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Award for Best Folk Singer and BBC Radio 2’s Folk Singer of the Year. In early 2025, she joined Annie Lennox on stage at the Royal Albert Hall for “Sisters: Annie Lennox and Friends,” a landmark concert that raised funds for The Circle, Lennox’s global feminist organisation. Sharing the bill with artists including Celeste and Nadine Shah, Connolly brought her singular presence to a night that celebrated the transformative power of music and collective voice.

The past eighteen months have seen Honeyfeet on a steady rise. Their “They Want What You’ve Got” tour featured a string of acclaimed performances, including shows at The Glasshouse in Gateshead and a headline slot at the Albert Hall in Manchester as part of WOMEX 24. Another unforgettable moment came with their performance at the cliffside Minack Theatre in Cornwall, where the band held the audience in thrall beneath the open sky as the sun dropped into the sea.

"Brilliant Band" -CRAIG CHARLES, BBC 6 MUSIC

"A righteous blast of working-class energy" -CLASH MUSIC

"I'm in love with Honeyfeet" -BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH

MATINEE SHOW: Doors 2pm, Family friendly, No BYOB

Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet move with ease and confidence between swampy jazz, raucous brass, fractured funk, blues balladry, and gorgeous folkloric textures. Connolly’s powerhouse vocals lead the charge, blending mischief, protest and vulnerability into something fiercely human and utterly live. Honeyfeet holds all of this together with a groove and a commitment to musical freedom. The lineup consists of Lorien Garth Edwards on bass, Ellis Davies on guitar, John Ellis on keyboards, Biff Roxby on brass, and Phill Howley on drums form a fluid and fearless musical unit.

Honeyfeet Presents: The Heads, Hearts and Hooves Tour, a bold and celebratory chapter in the journey of one of the most electrifying and genre-defying live acts performing today. Following a string of unforgettable performances, growing international recognition and a new body of work, the band sets out across Europe and North America, carrying their signature blend of protest soul, twisted folk, deep groove and joyful abandon.

At the heart of Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet is the indomitable Ríoghnach Connolly, whose voice is equal parts fierce, tender and fearless, connecting ancestral song traditions with contemporary storytelling. She has won the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Award for Best Folk Singer and BBC Radio 2’s Folk Singer of the Year. In early 2025, she joined Annie Lennox on stage at the Royal Albert Hall for “Sisters: Annie Lennox and Friends,” a landmark concert that raised funds for The Circle, Lennox’s global feminist organisation. Sharing the bill with artists including Celeste and Nadine Shah, Connolly brought her singular presence to a night that celebrated the transformative power of music and collective voice.

The past eighteen months have seen Honeyfeet on a steady rise. Their “They Want What You’ve Got” tour featured a string of acclaimed performances, including shows at The Glasshouse in Gateshead and a headline slot at the Albert Hall in Manchester as part of WOMEX 24. Another unforgettable moment came with their performance at the cliffside Minack Theatre in Cornwall, where the band held the audience in thrall beneath the open sky as the sun dropped into the sea.

"Brilliant Band" -CRAIG CHARLES, BBC 6 MUSIC

"A righteous blast of working-class energy" -CLASH MUSIC

"I'm in love with Honeyfeet" -BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH

Sunday 24th May

11am - 1.00pm

One day class

Cost £10

Materials: See Below

Drawing inspiration from the creativity and resilience of Irish linen mill workers, during this workshop, participants will explore embroidery and song, paying tribute to the rich heritage of historical linen mill culture.

In this two hour workshop you will explore linen aprons and hackling.

Aprons: You will create small stitched aprons from scrap materials and images of mill workers with hand and/or machine embroidery.

Hackling: Exploring the harsh process of hackling flax, through fabric layering, tearing and mending, participants will pull, stitch and rebuild textile surfaces - reflecting the physicality of linen work.

Materials Requirements

Scrap Fabric:

Participants are asked to bring their own materials to re-use - scraps, old shirts, aprons, pillow cases, scrap wool, loose threads - anything you have to hand. If you have participated in the natural dyed materials workshop, you are welcome to bring those materials too.

Sewing Machine:

Please bring if you have, otherwise machine provided.

Extra materials provided by facilitator (pen, paper, markers, pens, embroidery needles)

About Eimear:

Eimear, originally from Mayobridge, has a unique approach to art; she believes that the sound of music can be felt through her work. She specialises in connecting Irish traditional music with art, creating beautiful pieces that evoke the sounds of her homeland.

Supported by City Airport Community Fund

Saturday 23rd May

10am - 12pm

One morning

Cost £10

Materials included.

Nature provides us with peace and comfort. As a textile print designer, Kristen Robb encourages you to capture the timeless beauty, intricacy, and splendour found in nature. 

This is why she only uses natural dyes and inks, derived from native Irish plants. Using natural dyes and inks derived from these plants, the work is infused with the range of colours and fresh scents naturally produced by these materials. This class will use cotton fabric and natural dyes to explore the world of colour that plants have to offer. No previous experience is needed, just a love and excitement for nature!

About Kristen:

My name is Kristen Robb. I am a regenerative textile print designer and natural dyer. I hold a BA in Textile Art, Design and Fashion from Ulster University and an MA in Regenerative Design from the University of the Arts London. I am deeply passionate about both my practice and the natural world that inspires it. My work involves close engagement with native Irish flora, creating pieces that reflect the beauty and uniqueness of our environment. By combining science communication, activism, and creative practice, I aim to encourage deeper, more thoughtful connections between people and nature.

Supported by City Airport Community Fund

STRICTLY 18+ - BYO

Ryan Young brings new and exciting ideas to traditional Scottish music, receiving international praise for his spell-binding interpretations on the fiddle. His debut album was recorded with four time GRAMMY winner Jesse Lewis (who has worked with the likes of Bela Fleck and Yo Yo Ma) and launched at Feakle Traditional Music Festival in County Clare, accompanied by renowned guitarist, Dennis Cahill (Martin Hayes; The Gloaming). Ryan was nominated for Album Of The Year at the 2024 MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards; Live Act Of The Year at the 2023 Awards, and Musician Of The Year at the 2022 Awards.

Ryan brings new life to very old, often forgotten tunes by playing them in his own unique way. He sings through the fiddle and his playing is often described as poetry without words. Ryan’s music is brimming with fresh melodic ideas, an uplifting rhythmic drive and a great depth of dynamics and precision. His sound is very distinctive and takes the listener on an emotional and adventurous journey in any performance.

He holds both a first class honours and a Masters degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, was twice a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards, and twice a finalist in the prestigious BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of The Year. He was awarded ‘Up And Coming Artist Of The Year’ at the Scots Trad Awards in, nominated for the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and awarded Folking.com's Musician Of The Year title. Ryan Young was also the only UK artist selected to perform at the prestigious World Music conference, WOMEX, in 2019.

“...a force of nature”⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(5 STARS) The Scotsman

'...in a concert that was as soulful as it was electrifying.' - The Strad

“I have known Ryan for many years and have watched his steady progress from student to accomplished fiddle player. He has created his own unique way of playing and is finding great emotional depth in his native Scottish Music. Ryan Young is an up and coming musician who is gaining more and more well deserved recognition. I feel that he has the potential to make a very significant contribution to the Scottish tradition.” - Martin Hayes

“In live performance, Young can appear possessed by his music. This may be a studio recording....but it captures Young in full, zestful flight, crisply accompanied by guitarist Craig Irving. Echoes of Irish mentor Martin Hayes - the swooping lilt and slow burn - can be heard...”⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(5 STARS) The Scotsman

“Ryan’s music is inflected with a magical, lyrical quality. When he plays he radiates a hypnotic effect that is truly wonderful”- Duncan Chisholm

STRICTLY 18+ / BYOB

Presented by The Duncairn and Moving on Music

Open your palm — there it is: the morrow, held and released.Tomorrow Heldis the visionary new album from Spafford Campbell, blending post-rock, jazz, chamber classical, and folk into eight immersive, mostly instrumental tracks. Fiddle player Owen Spafford and guitarist Louis Campbell, both conservatoire-trained, create textured, genre-defying music that demands presence. Following their acclaimed debut You, Golden and 2024's 102 Metres East EP, this project blazes a trail through ambient loops, processed fiddle, and experimental soundscapes. Echoing Talk Talk’sSpirit of Edenand Bon Iver’s ethereality,Tomorrow Heldis a spacious, transcendent listen — reflective, mysterious, and fiercely original.

STRICTLY 18+ - BYO

The California Irish debut record “The Mountains Are My Friends” captures a moment in time that feels both nostalgic and new — a modern reawakening of the Laurel Canyon sound, reinterpreted through the lens of contemporary Irish musicianship. Recorded entirely to analogue 16-track tape, the album is an intentional step away from digital perfection and back toward the warmth, intimacy, and humanity that define great folk and roots recordings.

California Irish set out to rediscover that lost intersection of folk, country rock, and storytelling that blossomed in the hills of 1960s Los Angeles — a sound born from community, creativity, and collaboration. That scene was a unique nexus of counterculture and expression, where songs were shared experiences and stories were at the heart of everything.

This record carries that spirit forward — recorded live, with all seven musicians feeding off each other’s energy, harmonising around a single microphone. It’s a love letter to authenticity, to craftsmanship and connection, and to the belief that the simplest performances can be the most profound.

The single “Julie Ann” was recently shortlisted for Single of the Year at the Northern Ireland Music Prize, following a public vote, further highlighting the growing connection between the band and audiences.

“Frontman of The Answer has taken to the sensibilities of Laurel Canyon like the proverbial duck to water” - Irish Times 

“Julie Ann is a wonder of indie-rock resplendence.” — Hot Press

“This album marries Laurel Canyon warmth with Irish lyrical heart.” — The Thin Air

In bringing a forgotten warmth and storytelling sensibility to a modern audience, The Mountains Are My Friends stands as both a reflection of tradition and a reminder that folk music’s power to move and unite people remains timeless.

STRICTLY 18+ - BYO

Cerys Hafana is a Welsh composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist who mangles, mutates, and transforms traditional music. Cerys comes from Machynlleth, Wales, where rivers and roads meet on the way to the sea.

Hafana's primary instrument is the Welsh triple harp with which they explore all its creative possibilities and unique qualities, playing with found sounds, archival materials and electronic processing. Their spellbinding music is rich with atmosphere and heart and stubbornly resistant to genre boxes and easy classification.

Angel, their latest album on tak:til/ Glitterbeat, released in Sept 2025, is a deep exploration of minimalism, traditional and avant-folk music, alternating between songs (all in Cymraeg) and instrumentals, often buoyed by a deft trio of sympathetic and exploratory musicians (drums, double bass, alto sax). In 2026, live shows will feature this dynamic new trio sound.

The uncommon breadth and innovation of Angel soundly confirms Hafana as one of the UK's most exciting young contemporary folk artists, with The Guardian featuring it as Folk Album Of The Month.

“Angel is the third release by this piercingly beautiful singer and exceptional, adventurous musician in 18 months…. Hafana’s approach is endlessly inventive…the album overall has a profound impact, hymning the life cycle, and the fantastical properties of music and time, to stunning effect.” Jude Rogers, The Guardian

Cerys has won over audiences from End Of the Road to the Eisteddfod and from BBC 6 Music Festival to Transmusicales with their magical, progressive sound.

" It's raw, urgent and affecting music, and it sets the tone for a hugely assured album that feels like a major arrival…Hafana builds hugely powerful swells of feeling and atmosphere, with their virtuosity on both harp and piano allowing a push beyond avant folk toward darkling, rain-washed minimalism and sharp-eyed jazznot-jazz. Don't sleep.” The Wire

“Alternating between Welsh-language songs and instrumental pieces, Hafana essays a bold mix of folk tradition and auteur experimentalism ...” UNCUT

“An album that solidifies Cerys Hafana’s position as one of the UK’s most exciting and genre-defying contemporary folk artists. Angel is a testament to their ability to create music that is both deeply rooted in tradition and boldly forward-thinking.” KLOF