Sean Carroll

Sean Carroll - (Button Accordion), is from Teesan, Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo. He is a member of the renowned Dartry Céilí Band and was taught to play accordion by his father Michael, originally from Co. Leitrim who also played with the well known Leitrim Ceili Group. Sean played for a time with Sligo Senior Gaelic footballers in the 90's.

Teresa O'Grady

Theresa O'Grady was born and brought up in Luton, England. She learnt to play the banjo at a young age in Luton and went on to win All Ireland titles in the Banjo and Trio competitions with her two brothers James and Ciaran. Theresa moved to Dublin in the late 90's but now lives just outside Aclare, Co Sligo with her husband Declan Payne an accomplised Piano Accordion player. She plays sessions regularly in the Tubbercurry area of Sligo.

Junior Davey

Junior comes out of a family deeply rooted in the musical tradition of South Sligo. The strongest musical influence on Junior has obviously always been his father Andrew (Andy) Davey, who was an authority in the Sligo fiddle playing. But also bodhrán-inspiration was available in the family: Junior's uncle, Ned Keane from Culfadda, was a recognised handstriker (old hand style bodhrán playing) in the local area.

When it comes to contemporaries Junior is highly influenced by Johnny 'Ringo' McDonagh , Maurice 'Mossie' Griffin, John Joe Kelly and Ronan Moloney. Bodhrán player and -maker Seamus O'Kane from Lower Drum, Dungiven, Co. Derry, had- and still has a positive and constructive impact on Junior and his music.

Junior has won the All-Ireland Championship on the bodhrán five times (1990, 1993, 1996, 1997 & 1999) and is the most winning bodhrán player at the All-Ireland ever.

The most important companion in Junior's musical life is without any discussion fiddle player Declan Folan from Doobeg, Doocastle, Bunninaden, Co Sligo. They have been playing as a duet for many years and have a telepatic musical understanding.

In 1995 the two friends recorded a wonderful album titled "Skin and Bow".

In 2005 Junior launched his first solo-album titled "A Sound Skin" which is his latest contribution to Irish traditional music.

Over the years Junior has worked as a guest musician and has contributed to several albums. He is an experienced teacher and have taught for many years in Ireland and abroad.

Cian Kearins

Cian Kearins comes from the Ballymote area, Co. Sligo. He is a school teacher by profession and has won senior all Ireland titles in Flute, Whistle and signing in recent years.

Néillidh Mulligan

Néillidh Mulligan is one of Ireland's most distinguished uilleann pipers. He is the fourth generation to carry on this tradition and was first taught by his father Tom Mulligan, the renowned fiddle-player and piper. This tuition was followed by more formal lessons from the great Leo Rowsome in the Dublin Municipal School of Music and The Pipers Club. Through his father Tom’s friendship with Séamus Ennis and Tommy Reck he was later to come under the influence of these two great masters of the uilleann pipes.
Néillidh has won All-Ireland titles at various age levels, has toured extensively around the world and has represented Ireland at various bagpipe festivals throughout Europe. He is a founding member, patron and former chairman of Na Píobairí Uilleann – The Society of Uilleann Pipers.

Johnny Ringo McDonagh

A true innovator among bodhránai, Johnny invented several groundbreaking techniques that have extended the musical vocabulary of the bodhrán, such as the backslide and playing on the rim. McDonagh can also lay claim to being the first to play a bodhrán with a brush, as well as originating the idea for a tunable bodhrán. He also has left a valuable legacy in the annals of recorded Irish music, playing with De Danann and Arcady, and backing up premier solo Irish music acts from Eileen Ivers to Mary Bergin. McDonagh is legendary in percussional contributions to Traditional Irish music but he also joined up with Mike Oldfield in 1979 and went on tour all over Europe, resulting in the live double-disc Exposed, offering interesting live performances of Tubular Bells and other Oldfield classics. Johnny recorded nine albums with De Danann from the early ‘70s to the late ‘80s, when he left the group to form Arcady.

Michael Rooney

Michael Rooney is originally from Scotstown, Co. Monaghan. He plays harp, concertina and has composed a number of suites of music, including 'The Battle of the Books' in 2006. He teaches in Coola Vocational School, Co. Sligo. Michael is Musical Director of the Dartry Céilí Band.

Phillip Duffy

Philip Duffy, originally from Tubbercurry he now lives in Carney, Co. Sligo. He is the founder member and fiddle player with the Dartry Céilí Band and is a former All-Ireland winner. Philip also has a solo album on general release called ‘Killin’ Clocks’.

John Wynne

John Wynne is one of the finest flute players of his time. From Roscommon town, John was naturally drawn to playing in the celebrated North Connaught flute style. After initial tuition from Paddy Ryan, John was helped in starting the flute by the great Patsy Hanley. His playing was strongly influenced by players from the region, such as Matt Molloy, Seamus Tansey and Peter Horan.
John has won All-Ireland titles at various grades on flute and whistle. He plays and teaches regularly at workshops and festivals in Ireland and abroad.

Anthony McGrath

Derry born Anthony McGrath plays steel string guitar and bouzouki, and more recently has been playing nylon strung guitar, enjoying the instruments rich colorful tone and dynamic variation. Although now based in Galway, Anthony has played extensively in Europe, North America and Australia. His inspiration comes not only from the wealth of traditional Irish music that he has played, but from sources as varied and eclectic as Breton, Spanish, American old time, swing jazz and classical music. Currently he can be heard playing on Harry Bradleys 'as I carelessly did stray' album and Enda Scahill's 'Pick it up" album.

Eileen O'Brien

Eileen's musical pedigree is second to none, music came to her not just from her father, Dinny O'Brien was her grandfather, and Sean Ryan the fiddler was her uncle. Through her mother, who is a former Feis Ceol singing champion, she is related to Sean Seery, the Dublin piper. Eileen champions that heritage in every tune she plays.
Eileen plays in a very neat, seemingly effortless style, yet she imparts a great drive and rhythm to her music. The music is played at a pleasantly brisk pace but it's never fast. She has the ability to make light of complex keys and her ornamentation is simply wonderful. Triplets and rolls are introduced with great taste and while there is always something going on, the music never sounds fussy or overplayed. Eileen's command of the instrument shows through on everything she plays and the end result is faultless.

Eileen O'Brien at the Comhaltas 60th Anniversary Concert
Tullamore on 30th of April, 2011.

Noreen O'Sullivan

Nóirín Uí Shúilleabháin is one of the finest exponents of whistle playing in the world of traditional Irish music. Her playing is characterised by its effortless flow, clarity and musicality, which, to the discerning ear, is based on an underlying mastery of technique, command and control of her instrument, the whistle. So many young musicians start their musical journey by ‘learning the whistle’, an instrument which is potentially one of the most ‘simply complex’ of instruments – Nóirín’s musicianship illustrates the full potential of this most ‘intimate’ of traditional instruments. Nóirín Uí Shúilleabháin is also known nationally for her detailed and dedicated commitment to teaching Irish traditional music at all levels. She has been a highly respected senior tutor at Scoil Éigse for many years, a tutor on CCE’s TTCT Teachers Course and has also contributed very significantly to the SCT exams initiative.

Siobháin Ní Chonaráin, writing in the recent issue of TREOIR

Michael Vignoles

Bodhran and Uilleann Pipe maker ,The claddagh Galway City

Michael Vignoles is one of a rare breed of craftsmen left in Galway, with the musical instruments born from his Claddagh workshop gracing musicians' shelves across the world.

Born and reared on the cusp of Galway Bay, Michael Vignoles was ensconced in music from his first breath. His mother and father were both excellent vocalists with the melodic notes of Frank Sinatra bouncing form all corners of their Claddagh home.

"When I was growing up, I was really heavily influenced by the radio and groups like Planxty, The Chieftains and The Dubliners. When you listen to that every day something is bound to trip your soul and the sound of the pipes from Planxty really caught me.
In my 20s, Reilly's on Forster Street was a great place to go to for a session. The best musicians would go there. I would go in with my tape recorder and try and learn the tunes from that. I was self taught to start off, I suppose."

After catching the uileann pipe bug, Michael set about getting his own set. It was during this process that he bumped into Eugene Lambe from Fanore, Co. Clare, who introduced him to the art of pipe building.

PJ Hernon

From the musically fertile fields of Connemara, Co. Galway comes accordion virtuoso PJ Hernon.

The multi–All Ireland winning accordion player was born into a Traditional music family in Rusheenamanagh, Carna, Connemara in 1951.

His brother Marcus Hernon is also a well known multi-All Ireland winning flute player, composer and prolific recording artist.

Together the Hernon brothers have performed at music festivals in Germany, England, the USA, Finland, Sweden, Canada, Luxembourgh and of course all over Ireland.

PJ was a member of the renowned Shaskeen Céilí Band for some years and after much success as part of this talented group he later embarked on a solo career.

In recent years his music became hugely popular with people on the set dancing scene after he formed the very successful Céilí Band named The Swallow's Tail.

PJ who has toured extensively world wide has several albums and a DVD accordion tutor to his credit.

He also won the All Ireland and Oireachtas button accordion titles in 1973 as well as being a member of the All Ireland winning duet and trio acts in Sligo in 1989.

PJ is one of the finest exponents of Traditional Irish music on accordion and melodeon and has presented Traditional Irish music programmes for Radio na Gaeltachta agus TG4.

Today PJ remains as popular as ever on the Irish Traditional music scene both for his live performance and for his much sought after music teaching techniques.

Cillian Doheny

A very dynamic young banjo / guitar player, Cillian started playing music when he was eleven years old. He plays the Tenor Banjo, the Guitar (nylon and steel), Bouzouki, Bodhrán and Mandolin.
Cillian has won numerous All Ireland titles on most of these instruments under 15 - 18 category including banjo solo and guitar accompaniment in 2009, and second place two years running on the mandolin. He has toured France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands and Luxembourg in Europe and St. Louis, Missouri and Salt Lake City in the USA with various different groups.
From 2007- 2009 Cillian was a guest on local and national radio stations such as Kieran Hanrahan's RTE radio 1 Ceili House and Clare fm. Doheny appeared four times on a special Fleadh Ceoil Nationwide Program playing both Banjo and Guitar. On the 20th of December 2010 Cillian got the pleasure of performing for and "jamming" with members of the famous U2, Bono and the Edge at a private welcome home gig in Dromoland castle from their 360-degree tour.
On many occasions he has supported bands such as Beoga and Four Men and a Dog, he has also played with artists such as Pádraig Rynne (Guidewires), John Mc Sherry (At First Light), Tola Custy (Alan Kelly Gang), Vinnie Kilduff, Kevin Burke (Patrick Street), Kieran Munnelly (David Munnelly Band), Pauline Scanlon, Liam Kelly (Dervish), Frankie Gavin (De Dannan) and widely known accordion / melodeon player, Damien Mullane.
Cillian is now involved in various different projects such as ''Moxie'', a newly formed folk band originating from Co. Limerick and Co. Sligo including up and coming talented musicians, Jos Kelly, Paddy Hazelton, Darren Roche, Ted Kelly and Niamh Farrell.

Jack Talty

Jack Talty is a concertina and piano player from Lissycasey in west Clare. The rich west Clare music tradition has had a strong influence on Jack's music, particularly the music of Bobby Casey, Willie Clancy and John Kelly.

In July 2011 Jack released Na Fir Bolg, a duet album with concertina player Cormac Begley and is currently working on a recording project with the innovative Ensemble Ériu.

A regular performer and tutor at music festivals and workshops around the world, Jack has performed extensively throughout Europe, the United States and Australia and also has a wealth of experience working in recording studios as a musician, engineer and producer.

Emma O’Sullivan

Emma hails from Connemara, Co. Galway in the West of Ireland. In 2009, at the age of 24, she won the All-Ireland Sean-Nós Dancing title at Oireachtas na Samhna in Letterkenny. Emma is best known for her successful appearances on the All-Ireland Talent Show which has made her a household name in Ireland and abroad.

Described by many as a natural teacher, Emma is employed full-time passing her skills to students in primary, secondary and third level institutions throughout the west. She provides dance workshops in sean-nós dance, brush and barrel dancing throughout the country and abroad.

Pauline Hanly

Born and reared in Killygordon, Co. Donegal, Pauline now lives in Kilrooskey, Co. Roscommon with her husband, renowned flute player, Patsy Hanly. Pauline is one of the foremost traditional singers of her generation. All-Ireland champion on three occasions, she is blessed with a great voice.
Her choice of songs and her singing are always of the best quality and it is these traits that she passes on to her many pupils down through the years. Of course many of her pupils have gone on to All Ireland glory also.

Gerard Butler

The renowned Gerard Butler gives Set and Sean Nos Dancing classes in the Ard Ri House Hotel on Sat 17th from 11 - 1pm and 2 - 4pm.

Declan Donoghue

Award winning, self-taught bones player and local man Declan Donoghue will hold a traditional bones playing workshop on Saturday Sept 17th, 11am-1pm in Mercy Primary School. All welcome!

Anita Broderick

Anita Broderick is from the fifth generation of a family of musicians and singers. She is a Traditional Singing and Tin Whistle tutor, currently living in Corofin, Co. Galway. After leaving Kilconieron, Co. Galway at the age of 5, she grew up near Liverpool, where her father played with the famous All Ireland winning, Liverpool Ceili Band. She grew up in a house where musicians such as Charlie Lennon, Jimmy McGreevy, and Paddy Carty were welcomed, as well as visiting London-based musicians such as Liam Farrell and Raymond Roland - little wonder then, that she has such a love for, and knowledge of traditional music and song! Anita has a great affinity with young musicians and singers and is in much demand for Traditional Singing workshops, having a wide repertoire of songs from the tradition. She also has a particular interest in Ceili Bands, Duets and Trios and has had many All Ireland successes with the young musicians and singers she teaches.

Aine McGrath

Aine Mc Grath is originally from Naas in Co. Kildare and now resides in Co. Clare. She is regularly found performing and teaching at music festivals throughout the country. Her music is rythmically rich and she brings with her a rich legacy of tunes from the Leinster area where she both learnt and played extensively for many years. A former All-Ireland Champion, Aine's polished and sweet tones are underlaid by delicate and subtle ornamentations. Aine has played with many ceili bands including the infamous Galway band, 'The Tribes Ceili Band'.