Musical Recital

Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Ciarán Ó Maonaigh are a dynamic duo whose music and dance reflect the very heart and soul of Irish tradition. Acclaimed individually for their artistry, together they create a powerful and vibrant act that blends fiddle, concertina, and dance with an unmistakable energy and deep-rooted authenticity.

Caitlín, a three-time All-Ireland champion on concertina and world-travelled dancer with Riverdance, brings rhythm and grace to every performance. Raised in a musical household in Co. Meath, Caitlín draws inspiration from her father Antóin Mac Gabhann, mother Bernie, and concertina teacher Méabh Ní Lochlainn.

Ciarán, a TG4 Young Musician of the Year and native of the Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht in Co. Donegal, comes from a rich lineage of musicians including his grandfather Francie Mooney and members of Altan. His distinctive fiddle style has been captured in both his solo work and as part of the acclaimed trio Fidil, whose albums have received glowing international praise. Together, Caitlín and Ciarán share a rare chemistry, their music forged from hearth and home, steeped in tradition, and bursting with life and creativity.

When Cáit Ní Riain and Ultan O’Brien perform together, the result is an evocative meeting of voice, strings, and deep-rooted tradition. Cáit, a traditional singer, multi-instrumentalist, and folklorist from Upperchurch, Co. Tipperary, brings a powerful sense of place and story to the stage. Raised in the iconic Jim of the Mills pub, her music is steeped in the communal and cultural legacy of Irish song. A Fleadh Cheoil medalist in both English and Irish, Cáit draws on her extensive performance experience across Ireland, Europe, and the U.S., and her work with The Weaving and Anam an Amhráin reflects her interest in connecting voice to land, memory, and myth.

Ultan O’Brien, a fiddle and viola player from County Clare, complements Cáit’s lyrical depth with a distinctive sound that bridges the traditional and the experimental. Now based in Leitrim, Ultan is known for his genre-blending approach, honed through collaborations with groups like Slow Moving Clouds and Cuar. His 2025 solo debut Dancing the Line showcases his innovative use of an alternatively tuned alto fiddle and field recordings. When paired with Cáit’s rich vocal delivery and folkloric insight, Ultan’s dynamic musicianship creates a textured and immersive sonic landscape. Together, they conjure performances that are both rooted and boundary-pushing, where old songs and new sounds echo with emotional and cultural resonance.

Martin Hayes is one of Ireland’s most revered fiddle players, known for his soulful, deeply expressive style rooted in the East Clare tradition. A native of Maghera and son of P.J. Hayes of the Tulla Céilí Band, Martin has captivated audiences worldwide through projects like The Gloaming, Tríur, and his longstanding partnership with the late Dennis Cahill.

He’s joined by Clare multi-instrumentalist Brian Donnellan, whose mastery of concertina, bouzouki, harmonium and piano is steeped in family tradition and East Clare heritage. His playing brings rich texture and rhythmic vitality to any ensemble.

Completing the trio is Conal O’Kane, a gifted guitarist from Philadelphia with Derry roots, whose inventive, sensitive accompaniment has made him a sought-after figure in traditional music circles.

Together, they create music that is both rooted and adventurous—meditative, powerful, and deeply moving.