2024 AUSTIN CELTIC FESTIVAL PERFORMERS
CILLIAN VALLELY
DAVID DOOCEY
ALAN G. MURRAY
From Armagh, Cillian is the uilleann pipes and low whistle player with the renowned Irish band Lunasa. In recent years, he has played and recorded with Bruce Springsteen, Natalie Merchant, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Tim O’Brien, and Riverdance in addition to recording as a guest on over 50 albums. Vallely, whose family has played a seminal role in piping and Irish music in the north of Ireland for years, is one of the most respected pipers playing today, You may recognize David from his performances the last number of years with Michael McGoldrick, Tim O’Brien, Martin Hayes, Sean Keane, Dougie MacLean, Dermot Byrne, Sharon Shannon, etc. He's a leading fiddle player of his generation and has won too many awards to name including the All Ireland on fiddle and concertina, the All World Fleadh, and many more! Guitarist, bouzouki player, and singer Alan Murray lives in Boston, Massachusetts where he has established himself as an in-demand performer and teacher on the Irish music scene.
JIGJAM
JigJam are a multi-award winning quartet from the heart of the midlands in Ireland. Blending the best of traditional Irish music with Bluegrass and Americana in a new genre which has been branded as ‘I-Grass’ (Irish influenced Bluegrass), their onstage energy along with their virtuosic musical ability has captivated audiences throughout the world.Jamie McKeogh, Cathal Guinan and Daithi Melia all hail from Tullamore, Co. Offaly with Co. Tipperary born Gavin Strappe completing the quartet. All four members grew up immersed in Irish traditional music and culture which is reflected by the band collectively achieving over twenty All-Ireland titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann competitions. They have now developed their own unique style of music influenced by American Folk music whilst staying true to their Irish roots. Described as ‘The best Irish group so far in bluegrass’
Brendan Mulvihill, Angelina Carberry,
Dan Brouder with
DanNy O'Flaherty
Irish balladeer and storyteller Danny O'Flaherty - three masters of Irish traditional music. Danny is a native Irish speaker from the Gaeltect (Gail-tuck) region of Connemara on the West Coast of Ireland. Much of his time growing up was spent around the turf fire listening to songs and stories of his elders, and this instilled in him the desire to pass the music on! He is a singer, songwriter and performer of Folk and Celtic music and is dedicated to preserving the heritage of our ancestors.Brendan Mulvihill, coming from County Limerick in Ireland, is a world renowned Irish fiddler, teacher and composer. Brendan teams up once again with Ireland's Music and Culture TV (TG4 Gradam Ceoil's) 2021 Musician of the Year, Angelina Carberry (banjo), and Dan Brouder (accordion), a well-respected exponent of the West Limerick accordion style.
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FRANKIE GAVIn &
CATHERINE McHUGH
Frankie Gavin at the age of seventeen, won All-Ireland competitions for both fiddle and flute. Originally influenced by some of the great Irish and American-Irish fiddle players such as James Morrison and Michael Coleman, he later found himself playing with stars such as The Rolling Stones, Stephane Grappelli, Elvis Costello, and Yehudi Menhuin. All have left their mark on his eclectic approach to music and his globally renowned band De Dannan. There is no more exciting fiddle player or moving flute player in the world of Irish music today. For this performance, Frankie will be joined by Catherine McHugh, one of the most outstanding young accompanists in Irish traditional music today.
The Prodigals
Austin's favorite NYC band leader is returning with accordion-led madness and rousing songs.
Gregory combines original lyrics and melody with a genuine passion for the traditional music of Ireland and a funky energy that is pure New York. The roots of the music are unmistakably traditional Irish; the branches that shoot off delve into rock, worldbeat, jazz, and punk, and the result has been called “the best Irish trad-rock band.”
The HERE & NOW
Formed in 2015, The Here & Now are Niamh Fahy (Fiddle & Vocals), Chris Buckley (Fiddle), Rob Forkner (Bodhrán) & Tony Davoren from Wicklow, Ireland (Bouzouki & Vocals). All accomplished musicians in their own right, together they create a rich and captivating sound full of energy that presents Irish traditional music in a contemporary context.
Drawing from each of their backgrounds in Irish music, with a geography that spans the United States and Ireland, The Here & Now keep tradition at the heart of their music while widening the breadth of their repertoire with original compositions.
JOHN WILLIAMS &
KATIE GRENNAN
John has been hailed by the Irish Times as “a musician of remarkable sophistication.” Born in Chicago to Irish parents, he carries three generations of traditional County Clare music within him, from both his father Brendan, and his grandfather, Johnny Williams. John is an award-winning accordion and concertina player with five All-Ireland titles to his credit and is the first American-born competitor to take first place in the Senior Concertina category. His additional talents on flute, whistles, bodhran, and piano distinguish him as a much sought-after multi-instrumentalist in the national session scene. Katie's traditional fiddle playing carries the articulation of a gifted classical musician tempered by the soul of a champion Irish dancer. Her wide-ranging experience as an international touring performer in both live stage productions and television has given her a unique platform as an ambassador for the music of her heart. Born and raised in Wexford, PA though residing in the Chicagoland area for over a decade, Katie was the fiddler in the popular Celtic-fusion band Gaelic Storm for over five years, has recorded a number of solo albums, and currently plays in a number of musical projects. Quartet.
Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums
Silver Thistle has been participating in pipe band competitions and performing in Texas and worldwide for more than 45 years. We are dedicated to serving the greater Austin area through quality performances and education.
Under the leadership of Pipe Major Ken Liechti and Drum Sergeant Stephen Dick, our corps consists of many pipers and drummers who learned to play through our band’s own lesson system. Other players came to us with experience from other bands. We are a global community with members from Scotland, South Africa, and Canada, as well as our homegrown musicians. We are proud to represent Texas both locally and abroad.
Contact us to book us for your next event, register for piping or drumming lessons, or to learn how to join the band!
INISHFREE AUSTIN
IRISH DANCERS
The Inishfree School of Irish Dancing has been one of the most prominent Irish Dance classes in the state of Texas for over 15 years. In this time, children and adults have gained more than just the ability to dance. Inishfree School of Irish Dancing Texas offers Irish dance lessons to children and adults in Austin, San Antonio, Round Rock/Georgetown, and Kyle/BudaClasses focus on developing a strong work ethic, focus, achievement, and good sportsmanship, and making lifelong friends.
Inishfree Austin is under the direction of former Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames Lead Dancer, Patrick McCarthy, Championship Dancer, Pierce Beach, and Kathleen McCarthy is our guest teacher and is also a former Lord of the Dance Lead Dancer. Emily Touzin and Leslie Touzin Middleton are guest teachers from our sister school in Dallas, Texas.
Scottish Country Dance Alliance
SCDA hosts an all-ages Scottish Country Dance workshop at the Festival. See the schedule for the time and place and come and enjoy the social dance of Scotland. If you like it, try out our weekly classes (Sunday evenings at 6 pm, 8018 Mesa Drive). Also, visit our ever-popular bake sale to enjoy our home-baked goodies.