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Artist Bios

Mary Coughlan

Damien Dempsey is an enigma. Born in 1975, in Donaghmede, a suburb of Dublin, Dempsey is that rare gem of an artist, an ex boxer – no less! – with the soul of a poet, whose heroes and influences are as diverse as Christy Moore, Shane McGowan, Luke Kelly and Bob Marley. Dempsey has released eight albums to date and is now something of a hero himself in his native Ireland, but it is his connection to the human condition that sets him apart from most of us. This gentle giant of a man has an extraordinary heritage that stretches back for generations: his great aunt, Jennie Shanahan, fought in the 1916 rising (in the Irish Citizen Army with James Connelly) as did his great uncle Ned Bridgman who was imprisoned in Frongoch detention camp in Wales where the Irish War of Independence was planned which he played his part in, as did Jennie. Years later, Bridgeman would receive the freedom of the city of Dublin from Ireland’s greatest civil rights campaigner, Daniel O’Connell, after O’Connell’s successful campaign to restore the Catholic vote. Bridgeman was himself a Catholic and grandfather a Protestant, and It’s this curious, but essential, dichotomy that informs much of Dempsey’s work.

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.
As an artist his music appeals to listeners across many genres and generations. His vocal style has a unique almost
sean-nós like quality and his performances shimmer with the magic realism that permeates many of his songs as he
effortlessly flits between beautiful poetry tinged with melancholy to roguish, irreverent humour. John has the ability to
charm, mesmerise and entertain in equal measure.

Embark on an odyssey of wonder, joyfulness and upbeat music as these incredibly talented and creative folk musicians shape melodies from past and present into something dynamic and irresistible. A trio comprising of musicians at the fore of our tradition, expect a performance from the gentle to the rhythmical and all the in-betweens.

Tara Breen has numerous All Ireland titles on the fiddle and tours regularly with The Chieftains, Stockton’s Wing and as a solo performer. Pádraig Rynne is considered a leading figure in Irish music and is founding member of well-known bands such as NOTIFY, Atlantic Arc and Guidewires. Jim Murray on guitar is one of Irish music’s most valuable assets being a regular performer with Sharon Shannon over the past twenty years as well as working with Altan, Mary Black, Sinead O’Connor, Seamus Begley and many more.

Aoife Scott is an award winning folk singer and songwriter based in Dublin, Ireland.
Born into the legendary Black Family, Aoife is steadily rising to the top of the traditional and folk music scene, and has long enjoyed success as an established artist in her own right. Fragile and ethereal one minute and strong and vibrant the next, her dynamic and profound vocals explore the emotional depths of her lyrics, leaving the audience entranced.

Brothers Brían and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn grew up playing music together around their hometown of Carlow, a small town in the
southeast of Ireland. After moving to Dublin in 2012, they quickly became a staple of the live music and session scene in Ireland,
playing their own original songs as well as folk songs from Ireland, Scotland, England and America.

For the first time in 4 years, the American-Irish group the olllam are making their highly anticipated return to the stage in Ireland, hot on the heels of their new album, “elllegy”.

Formed in 2012, the olllam is a collaboration between Belfast piper John McSherry (Lunasa, Ulaid) and three Detroit based musicians; piper / whistler / grammy-nominated producer Tyler Duncan (Theo Katzman, Scary Pockets), drummer Michael Shimmin (May Erlewine, Millish), and bassist Joe Dart (Vulfpeck, Fearless Flyers). The resulting eponymous album, now considered a cult classic is lush with trance-like melodies, stunning instrumental virtuosity and a magical marriage of tradition and modernity.

the olllam’s inventive musical compositions and arrangements have earned them rave reviews and sold-out shows across Ireland and beyond.

'Rua Rí is a singer-songwriter from Cobh in Cork. Growing up on an island, it is rare that the sea does not bleed into the folk artists music in one way or another. Other influences of his music include 70s folk and traditional Irish music. Expressing his identity through music has always been important to the 21-year-old, who writes warm, melodic folk songs accompanied with his own distinct vocal tone and accent. The artists’ first release, ‘Shepherd’s Delight,’ is a 5-track homemade EP that he recorded with the help of his friends.'

MICK O’BRIEN - EMER MAYOCK - AOIFE NÍ BHRIAIN
MORE TUNES FROM THE GOODMAN MANUSCRIPTS
January 2021

This is the second recording from Mick O’Brien (uilleann pipes/flute/whistle), Emer Mayock (flute/whistle/pipes) and Aoife Ní Bhriain (fiddle, viola, concertina) of music collected by James Goodman (1828-96) in the southwest of Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century.

The manuscripts, held at Trinity College Dublin and now published in two volumes by the Irish Traditional Music Archive are of great significance because they preserve much of the traditional music of the south of Ireland as it was sung and played in the years before traditional culture there was devastated by the Great Famine of the 1840s.

This recording draws primarily from the second published volume while occasionally revisiting the previously explored initial volume. The manuscripts continue to reward repeated visits and provide new possibilities when viewed anew and in a different light.

What the trio present on this new recording is a compelling selection from over one thousand tunes in the distilled edition exemplifying the range of material contained there while including some more unusual items unearthed this time around.

Having received a TG4 Gradam Ceoil Award in 2014 for their collaborative role in the revival of the music of the Goodman manuscripts, this recording marks a development in the trio’s musical approach, at times enlarging the instrumental palette and adding layers or paring things right back. The resulting sound is in places quite different from the previous recording having continued to develop through live performance for a number of years now.

Niamh Farrell’s versatile voice and love for music and singing was instilled from a very young age in her native Sligo. In 2014/2015 she embarked on a world tour with singer-songwriter David Gray as part of his 'Mutineers' band and has since recorded and performed as a supporting artist for the singer songwriter. In the last couple of years Niamh has shared the stage and travelled the world with many different bands and artists including Project West, The JPTrio, Kan, Téada, Seamus Begley, Luka Bloom, Seamie O'Dowd, Cathy Jordan, David Kitt, Lisa O' Neill, John Smith and Bobby McFerrin.
Her musical influences are vast, allowing her to move effortlessly between Irish traditional, gospel contemporary and folk genres, offering the audience an eclectic mix of material.
“Shes one to watch” - (Brian Donavan of WGBH (Boston USA))

Skipper’s Alley are a modern Irish folk band with an old-school approach. Their influences
range from folk revival bands such as Planxty and The Bothy Band to rare, experimental solo
players like Tommie Potts and Séamus Ennis.
Once described as "a young Irish ensemble who look like a punk band and sound like The
Chieftains” Skipper’s Alley specialise in gritty, high-octane Irish dance tunes on Uilleann
Pipes, Whistles, Fiddle, Flute, Banjo and voice with occasional detours into the dark,
sombre melodies of the Irish song tradition.
Elusive Irish folk ensemble, Skipper's Alley, were born out of the ever burgeoning Dublin
folk scene. They released their first album in 2014 to critical acclaim and toured extensively
throughout Europe and North America. Rarely seen above ground since, the outfit released
their much anticipated second album, The Oul Fip, in 2020.
With a lack of touring opportunities due to lockdown, they decided to work on new projects.
Ultan O’Brien and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin released their album, Solas an Lae, which went
on to win Best Folk Album at the RTE Folk Awards, while John Francis Flynn released his
debut solo album on the River Lea label, which was named Folk Album of the Year by The
Guardian. Now that lockdown is over the Skipper's gang are back together and working hard
on a third album.

Traditional music, wherever you find it, has not stood aloof from the tools of change that characterize life in our modern world. As you listen to This is How we Fly, you might find yourself raising delightful questions as to the place, potency and possibilities of old music in a new environment. Or you might find yourself released from the games your mind likes to play, as you submit to its textured and seductive sound world.

TIHWF brings together four musicians, each of them rooted in different cultures and musical vocabularies, each on the cusp of their most fertile and creative years. Individually, each member has carved out a reputation for not just mastering their chosen fields, but rising above, redefining and renewing the musical world they come from. A sublime Irish fiddler who’s not afraid to step outside convention, a sophisticated Appalachian hard shoe dancer stepping into the rhythmic foreground, a thoughtful Dublin jazzman who has moved beyond the linear constraints of the genre, and a lyrical Swedish percussionist redefining the melodic and sonic place of drums within the contours of traditional song.

Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh // hardanger d'amore

Seán Mac Erlaine // clarinet & electronics

Nic Gareiss // percussive dance

Petter Berndalen // drums

Making a very welcome visit to Hotel Doolin on her rescheduled ‘First Farewell Tour’, the charismatic Peggy Seeger-singer, songwriter, feminist, icon, Ewan Mac Coll’s partner and muse -is the undisputed queen of folk and political song. Join Peggy and her son Calum Mac Coll, an exceptional musician in his own right, for a glorious evening of up-close performance by these two world class musicians. Expect to hear some of Peggy’s new songs from her hugely successful ‘First Farewell’ album, some old favourites, a few surprises, and plenty of relaxed family banter.

Liam O Connor and Cormac Begley have forged an exciting string and steel reed duet. Both musicians are highly acclaimed and regarded as some the leading musicians of respective instruments. They played their first concert together at the National Concert Hall in late 2017 and have been playing together ever since.

HISTORY
Elikya stand as a bridge between the days of the golden age Congolese rumba
and the future of the modern era. Under the leadership of Kalombo Kings and
his Congolese comrades Elikya step into the tradition of the Congolese rumba
orchestra with the intensity and spirit hewn out of Kings childhood spent in
the Matonge District of Kinshasha, an area known as the epicenter of musical
talent and where many bands in Kinshasha have their headquarters.

FUTURE
Based in Ireland, Elikya over the last twenty years have acted as Congolese Music's
Ambassadors to the nation of Ireland. Collaborating with legends in the genre,
Elikya now plot a new course. Authentically carrying each era of Rumba forward
with an intensity and ingenuity all their own.

Described as, “Stunning” (Rod Stradling) and “Mind-blowing” (allcelticmusic.com), the award winning trio FIDIL are three of Donegal’s finest musicians: Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, Aidan O'Donnell and Damien McGeehan, each recognised for their virtuosic technique as well as their inventive yet authentic approach to music.

Fidil explores the soundscape of their native Donegal, and through their unconventional approach to accompaniment, arrive at a place where tradition meets innovation, giving Fidil their unmistakable sound. High energy meets delicate arrangements in an eclectic mix of beautifully selected tunes, making attending their performances a must. Their music-making is marked by an intricate and intelligent approach that still manages to maintain the element of fiery exuberance that is the hallmark of traditional fiddle music from Donegal. This is traditional music for the 21st century, mindful of its origins but breathtakingly exciting in its ambition and delivery. Their latest album ‘Decade’ (2019) has been described as ‘nothing short of breath-taking’ (Irish Times), while their previous albums ‘3’ and ‘Old Wheel of Fortune’ were also released to widespread critical acclaim. Joining FIDIL for this special performance will be award winning fiddler, performer and academic Conor Caldwell.

BIG LOVE take their name from the very real love they share for each other.
Born out of enduring friendships and a passion for music, BIG LOVE sets out to tell their stories of healing, hurt, and bliss under the canopy of their captivating music. And love.. love love love.

BIG LOVE are an Irish band based in Dublin. They consist of musicians Cian Ó Maonlaí (lead vocals), Jack Cody (guitar), Megan Nic Ruairí (keys) Dan Aherne (bass), Anton Shovlin (drums), and Adam Curtis (lead guitar).

Their music pirouettes between sweet, melodic textures and driving, rapturous sounds upon which they deliver their raw and honest storytelling. Their live performance is both intimate and energetic, as they ebb and flow between mesmeric melodies and hard-hitting hooks.

They released their debut single ‘Lily’ last year which received widespread praise and was featured on the RTÉ Radio 1 recommends list. They followed this up with the release of their new single ‘I hope you sleep tonight’ in February.

Although a limited year for live performances, in 2021 the band featured in shows such as the Christmas Busk in Patrick’s Cathedral and the Windmill Lane live orchestral performance. They closed the year off with a headline show at The Workman’s Club and followed this with a sold-out show at Whelan's.

Wyvern Lingo are a trio from Ireland. Their Choice Prize-nominated debut album, 'Wyvern Lingo' (2018), established them as one of the most distinctive Irish acts of their time. Known for their soulful vocals and harmonies, they blend the pop, RnB and classic rock influences that have inspired them since they formed as young teenagers. They quickly developed a reputation in Ireland for their musicianship and dynamic live shows.

After two years of touring Europe- playing slots at major festivals and opening for the likes of Grace Jones, Hozier, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra- Wyvern Lingo relocated to Berlin to record their second album. 'Awake You Lie' was released in 2021 to critical acclaim in both Ireland and Germany, reaching no.1 on the Irish Indie Charts and top 10 in the Irish Official Album charts. Described by the Irish Times as “a beacon for all of us feeling lost at sea” in its 4* review, Awake You Lie is the band's most ambitious work to date.

Last year’s recipients of the Sounding the Feminists/National Concert Hall Music Project Award, the band released a unique livestream show, Radio Somewhere, in collaboration with visual artist 1iing heaney from the historical setting of the National Concert Hall. After slots at some of the first live Irish shows after Covid-19, including the Pilot gig at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham and the Strawberry Sessions, Wyvern Lingo returned to Germany for an acoustic tour across the country.

Wyvern Lingo ended 2021 with a headline Irish Tour of Awake You Lie to promote the deluxe version of the album, which also reached no. 1 on the Irish Indie Charts. The deluxe version features 10 bonus tracks, including a feature from the iconic Janis Ian. Wyvern Lingo kicked off 2022 supporting Kodaline across Ireland in March and will be touring Europe this Summer.

Born and raised in her native Poland, singer-songwriter and dancer Dora Gola has always had a deep and spiritual connection with music. After being force fed her father’s vast and eclectic music collection from a very young age, it wasn’t until she reached adolescence that she began to find and develop her own taste, being strangely drawn to the Irish trad folk songs and discovering the beauty within them.
By the age of twelve, she had already begun to express herself through learning to play the guitar and performative dance. Her love of dancing quickly became a large part of her life, regularly competing against others in the field of Latin dance and using the medium as a vessel to enunciate her deepest and most passionate voice. Call it fate or coincidence, but as she turned fifteen, her family moved to Ireland, bringing her a step closer to the source of inspiration that had already driven her throughout her life so far.
Dora developed a strong and emboldened identity within Irish culture. She now had a backdrop in which to illustrate these songs, an environment and landscape that added breadth and levity to the music, allowing her to see them in their formative light.
Learning and embracing all manner of Irish mythology and folklore, her world was beginning to widen as she slowly sought to bring this pagnistic view into both her songwriting and dancing.
Her debut single ‘Dark Sand’ followed by 'Flying Tree' set an earthly and spiritual tone that breathed feminine power, and saw nature as a support network for improving and healing mental health. The release went on to earn numerous accolades from the national music press, with Irish Times Magazine and Hot Press dubbing her as one of the most exciting new acts to emerge right now.
The support and response to ‘Dark Sand’ set the precedent for the sound she would go onto create, building her confidence to write more adventurous and organic pieces that will tackle the same message she has been cultivating within herself ever since she was a child. Now working permanently with Darragh Keary as a co-writer, the two have a strong vision for what they want this project to represent and have developed an unquenchable appetite as a result.
Together, they conjure a tone and direction that looks to bring together Dora’s musical and dance influences, alongside her fascination with the spiritual and mythological. A haunting journey of dark electro-pop, interwoven with elements of slavic folk, brooding synths, and lavish Eastern sounds, all driven by a hybrid 80s funk groove. Her powerful and sensual vocal draws the listener in, telling of the Earth’s consciousness and human longing.
Now living in the idyllic setting of Lahinch in West Ireland, Dora has fully welcomed the outside world into her creative soul. Her music looks to rekindle the connection that has been lost between humanity and mother nature, forcing us all to rediscover the simple beauty of the earth and bridge the gap that has grown in these modern times. Through a spiritual language that holds no barriers, her music is a rediscovery of ancestral roots, mystery, and sensuality.
"She sings with a wild spirit that is so exciting and has gazing into your soul as she keeps you alluringly captivated. Her vocals catch your minds attention as you feel her pain and longing for something more." A&R Factory

Heavy Folk from the banks of the Shannon. After selling out their show at this year's Templebar Tradfest, and with appearances at Westival, Doolin Folk and the Hill of Uisneach, Bog Bodies are proud to present their energetic live show. Fusing traditional instrumentation ( tenor Banjo: Pio Ryan and Billowwoods Ciara O Donnell on flute and Bodhran) with rhythmic open-tuned guitar and poetic songwriting that draws from Irish Mythology and the land. Masterfully led by Dan Meagher, Their live shows have been described as uplifting, and in one confirmed case, transcendental...breaking fresh ground between Traditional Irish and alternative folk.

Bog Bodies summer gigs include Doolin Folk Festival, Electric Picnic, Livestock festival, Stendhal Festival (Derry), Fuinneamh with an Irish tour planned for Autumn.

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