STRICTLY 18+ - BYO

John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and dreamer. Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live performances captivate audiences around the world.

John Spillane will share his most artistically ambitious work to date:Fíoruisce – The Legend of the Lough, on Friday 13th September 2024. The concept album, to be released on double CD and digital, features John alongside a stellar cast of collaborators: Ríoghnach Connolly, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Niamh Farrell, Nell Ní Chróinín, and more.

AGE GUIDANCE - 16+

Suaimhneas translates as peace/ calm/ tranquility and that is exactly the vibe we try to create at these events with low lighting , soft furnishings and a chilled out soundtrack to help you relax and forget about the stresses of everyday life. The two artists that share tonight’s bill are Sammy Copley and Caoilfhionn Rose

Caoilfhionn Rose

Manchester’s Caoilfhionn Rose has come of age as an artist, digging deep to find experimental new ways of expressing her wonder at nature’s beauty, her love of music in all its diversity, and her belief in the restorative powers that both afford in the troubled post-COVID world. Vigorous, searching and ever-curious, Caoilfhionn has found a voice at once ancient and modern, intrepidly exploring contemporary technology to transform traditional songcraft for the mid-2020’s.

Caoilfhionn’s music is rooted in a knowledge of folk, jazz and all the twentieth century’s classic tunesmiths, and seems to create a magical, otherworldly space of her own imagining, blending Caoilfhionn’s core piano with synths, and pitting a live rhythm section and saxophone embellishments against ambient samples and future-facing production techniques.

Sammy Copley 

Dublin-based singer/songwriter Sammy Copley has grown up in a self-made spotlight. Inadvertently documenting his growth as a storyteller and a performer through weekly uploads to YouTube, his channel has almost a quarter of a million subscribers, releasing his first full-length body of work, the majestic Growing Pains in 2021. Pouring emotion into his soothing folk-inflected ballads, Copley shared more of his stories with theLittle BoxEP culminating with sold-out shows in London and Dublin.

A free, family friendly day in the Duncairn! Featuring live music from West Cork, Childrens Crafts and Art with visiting and local Artists. All Welcome. 

FREE

STRICTLY 18+ - BYO

A Sit Down Dinner with A Musical Twist. 

Levis’ invites one of Ireland’s very best chefs  and our good neighbour; Michelin-starred Chef Robbie Krawczyk from Restaurant Chestnut in Ballydehob to serve up a very special set menu at The Duncairn Arts Centre in Belfast. This will be a unique opportunity to enjoy Krawczyk’s dishes which reflects the rich, seasonal produce of West Cork.

Not only this and most importantly , diners are also offered the opportunity to stand up and sing a song of their choice, with the best performer winning their own ‘Supper For Free’!  
This part of the evening may appear as  always optional, but with cajoling from the MC  Joe McNamee ( Irish Examiner Food Writer) and musical accompaniment from award winning composer and pianist Maurice Seezer, it is hard to resist pulling out a song or poem!

This long running event showcases West Cork’s vibrant  culinary and music scene, and we cannot wait to take it to the fantastic setting that is The Duncairn.

STRICTLY 18+ - BYO

Beyond Skin in partnership with Belfast International Arts Festival presents

A cultural weave story with the sounds of Persian, Kurdish and Irish instruments and vocals.

A collective of musicians brought together just for this one-off event. Representing Iran santoor player Behnam Ghazanfaripour, setar player Omid Asghari, singer Nasim Heidari and special guest Sara Fotros (daf drum).

Joining the ensemble is Syrian Saz/Oud player, singer Swar Ahmed, and representing Ireland singer/songwriter Conor Pelan and Cormac Ó Briain on uilleann pipes.

The event will also feature a special art presentation by Seba Brhom from Syria.

Born in France, Sara Fotros embraced Iran's rich musical heritage learning Persian percussion at a young age under the guidance of Mohsen Taherzadeh and later with Nabil Yousef Sharidavi. Sara has collaborated with traditional and contemporary Persian music in different ensembles in Iran, the UK, Sweden, Germany, the United States, Austria, Slovakia, India, and Canada.

Age guidance: 18+

A Beyond Skin event is supported by the Bernard Neville Estate Fund.

FREE EVENT - EVERYONE WELCOME!

It’s everyone’s favourite free fun family community arts event!

With world-class live music, arts and crafts workshops, DJ Paddy’s classic record club plus piping hot coffee & breakfast options, there’s just one thing missing to pull it all together…YOU!!

Tell everyone you know, from 0-100 years, from all walks of life, that they’re welcome to come along spend their Sunday morning at the Duncairn.

STRICTLY 18+ - BYO

Ríoghnach Connolly and Stuart McCallum are the creative heart of The Breath.  And for them, it’s all about the song. 

Connolly writes the only way she knows how; a stream of poetic consciousness giving rise to honest, personal, heartfelt songs as likely to touch on childhood summers and first love as  cultural dislocation, post-colonial injustices and grief. But it’s her deeply soulful, utterly engaging, stop-you-in-your-tracks voice – whether delicate and hushed or powerful and gutsy – coupled with Stuart’s understated brilliance and their exquisitely crafted songs, that give The Breath such emotional depth.

STRICTLY 18+

Our Club FIFTY events combine Arts & Activism in a social setting.  At long tables with communal food, audience members sit together to enjoy world class music, poetry and socially engaged discussion.

This FIFTY examines the recent increase in racial and hate crimes locally, genocide globally & the rise of the far fight in Ireland.  How did we get here and how do we fix things?

Our guests for the evening include;

Clare Sands - sixth generation fiddler and bilingual singer from Cork.
Nandi Jola - South African born poet, storyteller and playwright.
Rioghnach Connolly - Manchester-based vocalist, flautist, lyricist, workshop facilitator and musical activist.
Ruá - a multi-instrumentalist and experimental folk songwriter hailing from Derry.
Stuart McCallum - Manchester-based guitarist, composer, producer and educator.

plus more TBA.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this gig has now been CANCELLED. Ticket holders have been contacted and refunds will be issued. Sincere apologies.

In 1972, Barry Moore wrote a song called ‘Wave Up To The Shore’. Not his first song, but it had something. A dynamic Irish singer/songwriter whose music is defined by passion, lyricism, and a respect for tradition coupled with a willingness to defy expectations, was already a seasoned veteran of the folk scenes in Europe and the British Isles when he reinvented himself as Luka Bloom in 1987.

As a solo acoustic act with a big voice and intense guitar style he managed to channel the energy and power of rock into albums like The Acoustic Motorbike (1992), Turf (1994) and Between the Mountain and the Moon (2002), rising to international acclaim and becoming one of Ireland's best-respected contemporary folk artists.

Prolific in the studio and even more so on the stage, Bloom's career became that of the seemingly tireless D.I.Y. troubadour whose unpredictable varied musical repertoire has included eclectic cover albums, socio-political anthems, world music fusions, and heartfelt organic folk. After starting his own label, he maintained a steady stream of studio and live albums like The Man Is Alive (2008) and 2014's jazz-folk standout Head & Heart, and also published the memoir Homeplace. Amid his varied catalogue are also a number of interesting diversions including a 2018 guided meditation album.

All ages event. Please note no BYO.

Part of Belfast Music Society Northern Lights Mini-Fest in association with Belfast international Arts Festival

Charismatic Belfast-born soprano and jazz singer Suzanne Savage collaborates with string ensemble the Savage Five to create genre-defying songscapes that weave Irish music traditions with a range of dynamic musical styles.

The Savage Five comprise Hugo Smit (Cello), Alwyn Thomas Westbrooke (Violin), Rachel Yates (Viola) and Sven Otte (Double bass). Citing influences as broad as Cole Porter, Björk and Bartók, the ensemble shift from delicately arranged stillness to full-blooded whirling dervish.

Add to this the unmistakable influence of Irish music and Suzanne Savage’s distinctive, crystalline voice that speaks of a deep connection to the landscape.

STRICTLY 18+ - BYO

“An outstanding achievement of musicality, ingenuity and passion ” Duncan Chisholm

“Gorgeous melodies and rich harmony, stunningly played with huge heart, sense of space and a huge helping of understated playfulness ” Lauren MacColl

Rebecca Hill and Charlie Stewart are a harpist and fiddle player based in the thriving traditional music scene in Glasgow. Their debut album 'Thawcrook' recorded in 2022 seen them reach the finals of the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards ‘Composer of the Year’ category in 2023. The pair experiment with contemporary compositional techniques, creating hypnotic themes and integrating large sections of improvisation within arrangements, bringing an off- the-cuff, conversational feel to tracks such as ‘On the Mountain’.

Having recorded with over 30 artists to date, Charlie enjoys performing internationally with a variety of artists including Siobhan Miller, Matt Carmichael, Juliette Lemoine, Ross Miller and Mischa MacPherson. Highlights as a solo artist include a New Voices commission for Glasgow’s Celtic Connections 2021, performing at Proms in the Park and gaining the title of ‘BBC Radio Scotland Young

Traditional Musician of the Year 2017’ .

Rebecca gained the title of ‘Up and Coming Artist of the Year’ at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards in 2020 following the release of her solo EP 'the Airing' at Celtic Connections earlier that year. Rebecca has toured in Germany both as a solo artist as well as with folk band The Outside Track, and performed and presented at Granville Harp Festival in Ohio, America. Performance highlights for the duo include a recent short tour in Galicia, Spain, supporting singer Siobhan Miller as part of her Scottish tour and launching their debut album, Thawcrook in 2023. Having just finished their Spring Scottish Tour, Rebecca and Charlie look forward to popping up at performances across the UK in 2024, including an upcoming Autumn tour.

“Decade-long acquaintances and award-winning musicians on harp and fiddle respectively, Thawcrook sees them splice traditional and modern tunes together to create a captivating and joyful nine tracks ” At The Barrier

FREE EVENT - EVERYONE WELCOME!

It’s everyone’s favourite free fun family community arts event!

With world-class live music, arts and crafts workshops, DJ Paddy’s classic record club plus piping hot coffee & breakfast options, there’s just one thing missing to pull it all together…YOU!!

Tell everyone you know, from 0-100 years, from all walks of life, that they’re welcome to come along spend their Sunday at the Duncairn.

Families have long played a key role in passing down Irish and other traditional music, both in Ireland and the diaspora. The McGoldrick family from Manchester exemplifies this tradition, with their album One For The Road showcasing the musical talents of four family members: Michael on uilleann pipes/flute, alongside his nieces Catherine on wooden flute, Ciara on concertina/vocals, and Mairead on whistle/bodhrán, accompanied by guitarist Jimmy Patrick. Michael, influenced by musicians like Matt Molloy and Seamus Tansey, has become one of the most prominent traditional musicians of his generation, while his nieces, each accomplished in their own right, have furthered the family’s musical legacy, blending traditional roots with contemporary flair.

Siblings Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta hail from the Gaeltacht region of Connemara. They are noted for their sean nós singing and unique arrangements of both Irish and English language songs. Their performances benefit from the vocal tones that only families share. Their Late Late Show performance in 2022 of the soulful lament Anach Cuain went viral around the world. They are also accomplished multi instrumentalists who keep the Irish language and their heritage at the heart of all their musical endeavors. In 2023 they released their debut EP Séamus & Caoimhe which was produced by Brian Whelan and Riverdance composer Bill Whelan. Séamus and Caoimhe are the recipients of the RTÉ Folk Award for ‘Best Emerging Artists’ 2024.

Presented by Moving On Music

Multi-award winning trio Alfi is the collaborative project of musicians Fiachra Meek, Ryan McAuley and Alannah Thornburgh. Featuring an unusual line-up of harp, five string banjo and uilleann pipes, Alfi explores a combination of music and song sourced from the folk traditions of Ireland & America.

Alfi released their debut album ‘Say Old Man’ in July 2023 to great critical acclaim - ‘the album captures the organic, full-bodied spirit of their live shows, as well as the distinctive personalities of the players – and marks Alfi as a vital force in Ireland’s ever-diversifying folk scene’ (Hot Press).

Nominated for ‘Best Emerging Folk Artist’ at the RTÉ Folk Awards, Alfi have also received numerous accolades including the ‘US Embassy Creative Minds Award’, The Caoimhín O Dochartaigh Award at Imbolc International Music Festival and Molloy Award at Birmingham TradFest.

“virtuoso musicians” Lonesome Highway

ITMA presents an evening of traditional music, song and dance from four of Ireland's leading contemporary traditional artists: Iarla Ó Lionáird (singer), Dónal O’Connor (fiddle), Derek Hickey (accordion), and Stephanie Keane (dance)

These artists have engaged with ITMA’s artistic programmes, including its flagship series Drawing from the Well, an initiative which connects artists with archival materials to inspire new art. Examples of the artists’ new work is freely available to view online at: https://www.itma.ie/drawingfromthewell/  

Drawing from the Well will visit venues across Ireland including The Duncairn, Belfast, on September 27th.

Artist Bios

Dónal O’Connor

Dónal O’Connor is one of Ireland’s leading traditional musicians, he is also a much sought-after and highly regarded producer. He comes from a long and distinguished line of Irish fiddlers and singers and his collaborations have variously included membership of Ulaid, At First Light, Lá Lugh and RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh’s touring ensemble. Described by the Irish Times as a ‘fearless musical adventurer’ and ‘a renaissance man’ he has brought his native Oriel music to all four corners of the globe, and he is a founder and Artistic Director of Belfast Tradfest.

His fiddle style is heavily influenced by his father Gerry O’Connor, the Oriel tradition, and the great northern fiddle masters such as Seán Maguire, Brendan McGlinchey, Bríd Harper & Tommy Peoples. He has composed music for theatre, television and film and has presented music shows for BBC ALBA, BBC NI, TG4, BBC Radio Ulster and Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Stephanie Keane

Stephanie Keane is an Irish dance artist, performer and choreographer from Limerick. Her style is influenced by her formative dancing years as a competitive Irish step dancer at world championship level, and her immersion in the tradition of Sean Nós dancing as an adult. Through learning tunes in her feet and by pushing the boundaries of her own dance experience, she has developed her own unique style of Irish dance and is an well established Irish dance artist. She continues to evolve as an artist, working on new projects in film, theatre, dance choreography and sound production.
Stephanie's performance style combines the best elements of Sean Nós dancing with her fiery individuality built on a keen sense of tradition. She connects with the music, dancing the tune with her feet, and naturally understands the musician's interpretation of the tune. Her style is free flowing, energetic and wild.

Iarla Ó Lionáird

Iarla Ó Lionáird has carved unique career in music both internationally and in Ireland. Iarla’s voice is one that ventures far beyond the boundaries of any one genre: a defiantly unclassifiable sound. He’s a child of traditional music, born and bred in Cúil Aodha, with Seán Ó Riada a neighbour and indisputable early influence. His great aunt, the traditional singer Elizabeth Cronin, had forged a reputation for rich interpretation before him.

A twice Grammy nominated artist, Ó Lionáird has worked with a stellar cast of composers internationally and he has performed and recorded with such luminaries as Peter Gabriel, Nick Cave, Robert Plant and Sinead O'Connor. His unique singing style has carried him to stages and concert halls all over the world, from New York's Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House and beyond. He has performed as soloist with concert and symphony orchestras. His voice has graced the silver screen also, with film credits extending from "The Gangs of New York" to "Hotel Rwanda" and most recently as featured singer in the film “Brooklyn” starring Saoirse Ronan. He is the vocalist with the critically acclaimed Irish /American band "The Gloaming."

Recently, Iarla presented an episode of ITMA’s Taoscadh ón Tobar series which was broadcasted on TG4. In this episode, Iarla explores and discusses a collection of songs, collected by A. Martin Freeman, from his native Ballyvouney, Co. Cork.

Derek Hickey

Derek Hickey is from Adare in County Limerick. Influenced by both of his grandfathers, who played fiddle, Derek began to play music at age 10, beginning lessons with Dónal de Barra when he was 12. Three years later, he joined the Shannonside Céilí Band, touring extensively in England and throughout Europe. In 1991 Frankie Gavin asked Derek to join him for regular sessions in his then leased hotel in Kinvara, Co. Galway. The following year, Derek joined Arcady, Johnny ‘Ringo’ McDonagh’s band, performing alongside Frances Black, Brendan Larrisey and Patsy Broderick.In 1995 he joined De Dannan, recording two albums and touring until they disbanded in 2003.

Derek is the button accordion tutor on the BA Irish Music and Dance at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. In 2023 he performed at the National Concert Hall Dublin, as part of the third series of the Irish Traditional Music Archive’s ‘Drawing from the Well’ series. Earlier this year, Derek was awarded prestigious TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year award.

A gentle and consistent voice on the Irish folk-roots scene, singer-songwriter Ger Wolfe has a subtle way of weaving his magical music into the heart of the listener.

Creating ‘carefully crafted vignettes of song’ to all who come to listen (Irish Times), including his well-loved ode to innocence ‘The Curra Road’ – a ‘classic of grace and simplicity which should become a folk standard’ (The Boston Globe)

Drawing from the wells of traditional and contemporary folk, Ger plays spirited and heartfelt music, all at once lyrical, melodic and poetic. Prepare to be bedazzled by his unmistakable voice and inimitable guitar playing.

Currently touring his latest and ninth CD “The Morning Star”

DUG is the new musical venture of songwriter Lorkin O'Reilly and California native Jonny Pickett.

Having spent the past decade in Upstate NY releasing albums and touring extensively, Conor (Lorkin O'Reilly) moved to Dublin in 2022 to start a new musical chapter.

Drawing inspiration from both Irish and American traditional music, DUG aims to create a transatlantic blend that reflects the musical heritages of both its members.

Brendan Mulholland is widely regarded as one of the finest flute players of Irish music and his long-standing contribution to Irish Traditional Music is testament to this.

He is very much in demand as a performer, recording artist and teacher.Brendan is in constant demand throughout Europe and beyond for his master flute classes and concerts and his 2022 online flute school has been a breakthrough in the world of Irish Traditional flute playing.

Brendan has collaborated on many studio albums with various artists and has 4 critically acclaimed albums to date.Summer 2024 has seen the launch of his highly anticipated new solo album Bartins Bay which already has received wide critical acclaim.

“Brendan is one of our finest exponents of traditional flute music”  - Matt Molloy

Brendan has toured and performed throughout Europe and USA and is considered an artist with a reputation for pushing boundaries and always collaborating with new genres to promote world folk music.  He is a member of the traditional band Tempest who formed in 2023 and will release their debut album in late 2024, this group can only be described as a powerhouse of pure traditional music and song drawing from their native Ulster.

A recreation of one of Duncairn’s biggest successes, only this time in Levis’ of Ballydehob.  Super Sunday is a free, family-friendly arts event featuring a concert, kids crafts & storytelling.  Open to everyone in the West Cork area aged 1 to 100!

Half of The Duncairn’s pioneering, 30-strong collective of young artists from across Ireland will perform original music that they have collaboratively composed together.    

Some of the members from Cork will be performing as well; so it is a demonstration of exactly what can happen when young people are given the time, resources and framework to develop cultural and creative connections.

“If music be the food of love, play on!” 

A cabaret of music, poetry & cinema from artists of both traditions in Belfast.
Traditionally an important date in the calender ‘up North’, this 12th July event will be an exploration of the diverse backgrounds, reconciliation & common grounds that exist in Belfast.  At communal tables, tapas sharing food will be provided and friendly discussion is encouraged between artists & audience.

As artists start arriving into the village of Ballydehob to start the Takeover, some of our young Belfast musicians, writers & poets will host an informal session in Levis’ front bar.  Local Cork musicians are very welcome to join the session and share the tunes, songs and stories of both areas with each other.

The Weaving is Meabh Begley (accordion, vocals) and Owen Spafford (fiddle) and Cait Ni Riain (piano, vocals). This trio brings together the rich musical traditions of three counties Kerry, Tipperary and Yorkshire, their three regions of origin. Their music is imbued with the driving rhythms of the Gaeltacht of West Kerry where they first met; fierce dance music and raw harmonies inspired by a deep understanding of their musical inheritance. The trio have performed across Ireland, France and the UK in venues such as The National Concert Hall, Paris Centre Culture! lrlandais and Sidmouth Folk Festival. 

Suaimhneas translates as peace/ calm/ tranquility and that is exactly the vibe we try to create at these events with low lighting , soft furnishings and a chilled out soundtrack to help you relax and forget about the stresses of everyday life. The two artists that share tonight’s bill are some of our favourite instrumentalists that have passed through the Duncairn; it’s a pleasure to welcome them back to set the tone for the evening.

Alannah Thornburgh

Alannah Thornburgh is an award-winning instrumentalist and composer from the wild west of Ireland with a focus on traditional Irish harp. Alannah’s music explores her family heritage, reimagining melodies from the Irish harping and American folk & jazz traditions. This cross-genre interaction and juxtaposition of old melodies with contemporary harmonies and technique is interwoven throughout her music, described as being ‘unforced, fluid and utterly at home in her own sound’ (The Irish Times). Alannah is currently working on her debut solo album, due for release in 2024. The album features a volume of compositions inspired by fairy folklore & mythology in Co. Mayo.

Daniel Luke
Daniel Luke is a Dublin based pianist, composer, and arranger. A multi instrumentalist, he began his musical career as drummer and founding member of the band Gypsies On The Autobahn, with whom he released two critically acclaimed studio albums. 

 In early 2020, Daniel embarked on a new and personal project: a collection of solo piano compositions that would eventually become his debut album "Shadow Dance". Recorded in his childhood home, on the piano he learned to play on, this album represents a labor of love and a lifetime of learning. 

 What sets Daniel's work apart is his ability to blend musical styles and influences into something entirely his own. By incorporating his classical training with elements of jazz, contemporary, and neoclassical music, he has created a vibrant sound that is distinctly his own.

In 2023, Belfast-based Mark McCambridge aka ARBORIST took the critical acclaim, success and unique production and song-writing of his first 2 LPs to new heights. An Endless Sequence of Dead Zeros, his 3rd LP, was released in April and won the prestigious Northern Ireland Music Prize 2023. It was recorded in Spacebomb Studios in Richmond, Virginia alongside producer Matthew E White and with the legendary Spacebomb Houseband, it is a record full of melody and lush arrangements.

MOJO Magazine called it, “Mesmerising…a brilliant exploration of just how inventive Americana can be - ★★★★” with UNCUT declaring it, “An impeccable, gently Americana-flavoured third – 8/10”. With plays from Cillian Murphy, Cerys Matthews, Lauren Laverne and Frank Skinner, it culminated in a rousing BBC 6 Music Live Session on Riley & Coe.

*

Belfast native Mark McCambridge played his first show as ARBORIST supporting James Yorkston.  A solo tour followed before impressive performances led to notable support slots alongside Low, Cat Power, Echo and The Bunnymen and Guy Garvey. 

They quickly came to the attention of critics with their debut single, the Americana tinged, “Twisted Arrow”, that features an astonishing duet with Kim Deal of The Breeders. 

The debut ARBORIST album Home Burial (2016) and the follow-up A Northern View both received glowing praise from the likes of The Guardian (“instant classic. ★★★★” ) MOJO (“…devastatingly bleak…upliftingly beautiful. ★★★★”) and Uncut 8/10. With BBC 6music play from Cerys Matthews, Cillian Murphy, Gideon Coe and Steve Lamacq who called single Taxi, “one of those records that makes you immediately stop what you’re doing.”

*

"A staggering debut of depth and substance" - UNCUT

"An instant classic" - The Guardian

"Devastatingly bleak…upliftingly beautiful" - Mojo

"A poignant, beautiful record" - Lauren Laverne BBC6Music

"Magnificent debut" - Hotpress

"Lush and melodic" - Americana UK

 “Reminiscent of solo Robert Forster & early Lambchop.” – Pete Paphides, Soho Radio

John McSherry, Brendán Quinn and Francis McIlduff are three phenomenal musicians who first got together as a trio at Belfast’s ‘Féile Trad Trail’ in August 2022. 

John has been a major figure in Irish music for over 20 years.  He is a composer, producer, arranger, and established studio session musician of world renown, having recorded and performed with artists including Sinéad O’Connor, Rod Stewart, Nanci Griffith, Gary Kemp, The Corrs and Clannad. A founder member of top traditional bands Lunasa, Tamalin, Donal Lunny's Coolfin, At First Light and Irish-American super-group the olllam, John has produced a string of critically acclaimed and innovative albums, both solo and collaborative. 

Brendán has toured the world as a singer-songwriter and traditional accompanist for many years. Hugely influenced by his love of Irish music and the Irish language, his ability to convey the stories of strangers and his own experiences through song has created his distinctive, captivating style. 

Francis, a member of the legendary McPeake musical family from Belfast, has been immersed in traditional Irish music from an early age. He debuted with the family band Clann McPeake in the 1980’s, and has gone on to play with leading outfits including Alias Ron Kavana, Afterhours, Sin É and more recently At First Light, the band in which Francies and John first created the “double pipes” sound that has become their trademark. 

When the trio began playing together at Féile, the depth of their musical connection and rapport was instantly evident, so much so that they decided to record an album together. Wanting to keep their sound as authentic as possible, they opted to record in Redbox Studios, the working home of good friend and musical comrade, Dónal O’Connor. Playing live as a trio instead of multi-tracked separate takes, the album was recorded in sixteen hours and mixes traditional and modern tunes with Brendan’s contemporary songwriting. With “dualling” uilleann pipes, soaring whistles, interweaving harmonies, rock steady bodhran and guitar grooves, the tunes and songs are delivered with a confidence, energy and drive that only a live approach can create. 

The Dundalk punk poet Jinx Lennon utilises noise, tape machine, garage rock 2 minute bursts, strange folk tunings and gut pummeling beats to take on a journey through the mayhem and magic of the border schizo fffolk sound.   He uses the four elements of mouth, wire, wood ,and right foot to pull you along on a journey to see into his head.

There's no telling where he will take you but you will be holding onto your seat and your frontal lobe by the end because there's no ending where it will go or where the songs will come from.  It will be a raw invigorating hour and bit and it will def clear out your weary weekend face . 

Jinx recently released album number eleven PET RENT which is a  heavy garage and glam drumbeat  journey into the north east  local hinterland  with sampled voices from local  politicians , Joe Dolan, current rappers Westside Gunn, The God Fahim, the Peter Robinson Court Case Riot at Dundalk  in 1986, Sonic Youth and The Osmonds amongst others .  The Duncairn show is to launch the  new album ''Walk Lightly When the Jug is Full ''which is a Kerry saying .  The album is full of open tuned guitar influenced by the likes of blind piper Carolan,and Martin Carthy and is a two fingers up to the stuffy end of  traditional music which Jinx hates as much as he detests football.

"For me the best songwriter in the  country at the moment … And he doesn’t get airplay because he’s telling the truth. Why can’t people deal with that? Because it’s very raw, and he doesn’t sugar it up.”  – Christy Moore on Jinx Lennon's music 

"Look a little closer and you’ll find this positivity in all his tunes. Lennon has a passion for the people he’s singing about, and the people he’s singing to. Everything he does, from the unassuming honesty of his modest tunes to the comical simplicity of some of his lyrics, all work towards the realisation of this one message."

- Golden Plec,Body and Soul Festival review 

Jinx is never afraid to sing in his own accent, or address the personal and political, and every shade of grey in between, while empowering the listener throughout the whole beautiful process. 

Still in her teens, Nora Brown started learning music at the age of 6 and plays and sings traditional music with a focus on Southern Appalachian banjo and guitar styles. 

She has played numerous venues and festivals in the US and Europe including the Newport Folk Festival, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Trans-Pecos Festival of Love in Marfa Texas, and Folk Holidays in the Czech Republic. She has performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk, TED Salon and WNYC’s Dolly Parton’s America Podcast.

Since 2019 she has released 3 albums on Brooklyn’s own Jalopy Records, all of which have charted on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts during the first week of release. 

The New Yorker called her most recent record Long Time To Be Gone “a disarming collection of traditional laments and exquisite banjo instrumentals” while Fretboard Journal described her 2nd album Sidetrack My Engine as “some of the most interesting and haunting traditional music we’ve heard…impossibly talented”.

“A reverent nod to deeply-rooted ole-time traditions, and an exhibit of sonic heirlooms carefully amended to meet a modern moment with vintage elegance” American Songwriter

“A wonderful night across the two full sets, it flew by so quickly it seemed all too brief – but who would not ask for more when the music is this good?” Americana UK

2022 MG ALBA Musician of The Year nominee 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). 

Focussing on traditional Scottish music, Ryan brings new life to very old, often forgotten tunes by playing them in his own unique way. His fiddle playing 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.

Ryan holds both a first class honours and a Masters degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He 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 2017, nominated for the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2018 and awarded Folking.com's Musician Of The Year title, also in 2018.

Further MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards nominations include Album Of the Year, and Folk Band Of The Year. 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

“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

‘…Young’s playing is so richly expressive, channelling such deep emotion, that it feels like a dramatic performance in a theatre…one feels that here we have a potential heir to Duncan Chisholm for sheer emotional intensity.  It’s a remarkably mature debut album from one so young.’ – Paul Matheson

‘…the man makes the fiddle articulate the widest range of emotions and illustrations – and listening to him play you realise he is surely in possession of a magnificent gift’ – FolkWords 

‘….leading the ‘New Wave’ of traditional Scottish fiddlers, virtuoso Ryan Young’ – BBC World on 3 

‘Nuance, wit, risk-taking, contrast and above all a real sense of joy in making music were all there in abundance and Young’s solo feature, where he appeared to have been truly possessed by the melodies, was as exciting as it was uplifting’ – Rob Adams, The Herald

‘Uniquely graceful and expressive playing.  A future star of the Scottish fiddle world’ – Aidan O’Rourke (Lau)

‘….His self-titled debut album simply brims over with originality and talent’ – www.folking.com

‘…..they complement Ryan’s inventive and inspiring violin mastery so that the wonderful sound just takes flight, soars and swoops’

– Folk Wales Magazine

‘…the man makes the fiddle articulate the widest range of emotions and illustrations – and listening to him play you realise he is surely in possession of a magnificent gift’ – FolkWords