Thursday Night Concert

Eva Carroll and Méabh Mulligan are two of Ireland’s most exciting emerging voices in traditional music. Both gifted singers and concertina players, they are gaining recognition for their distinctive styles, deep respect for tradition, and fresh interpretations that mark them as standout talents in the next generation of Irish musicians.

Eva Carroll, from Feakle, Co. Clare, is a concertina player and singer steeped in the East Clare tradition. She began learning from Mary McNamara, developing the region’s laidback, swinging style. Raised in a renowned singing family, with parents Paula Carroll and Brian O’Rourke, Eva grew up performing in harmony with her mother. Now based in Dublin, she performs solo and with other musicians. Eva has appeared at the Frank Harte Festival, Drogheda Traditional Weekend, and The Night Before Larry, bringing a fresh yet deeply rooted voice to the tradition.

Méabh Mulligan, a Dublin-born singer and musician, comes from a family deeply embedded in traditional music and song. Influenced by her grandfather Micil Ned Quinn and the Mullaghbawn singing tradition, she developed a strong grounding in sean-nós and folk song. Growing up above the Cobblestone Bar, run by her father Tom Mulligan, Méabh was surrounded by Ireland’s finest traditional musicians. She has performed extensively at festivals in Ireland and abroad and is a member of The Len Collective, representing a new generation of Dublin traditional artists.

Alltacht is an exciting emerging band made up of Irish World Academy students Jamie Troy, Sarah Fox, Ciarán O’Connell, and Liam Broderick. Combining traditional Irish music with contemporary influences, they have developed a distinctive, modern sound marked by inventive arrangements and driving rhythm. They were awarded the 2024 Molloy Award at Birmingham Trad Fest.

Ciarán O’Connell is an accordion, melodeon, and uilleann pipes player from Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick. He has enjoyed All-Ireland success with Grúpa Cheoil and performs widely.

Sarah Fox, from Bunratty, Co. Clare, comes from a family rooted in the East Clare tradition. A fiddle and piano player, she carries this heritage in her playing. A graduate of the MA in Irish Traditional Music at the University of Limerick, she has performed extensively and won the 2024 All-Ireland duet title.

Liam Broderick is a traditional singer and multi-instrumentalist from Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick. He has won multiple All-Ireland titles in singing and lilting and is known for his distinctive voice. He has appeared at festivals across Ireland and on TG4.

Jamie Troy is a guitarist and bodhrán player from Co. Laois. He began playing music young and performed with the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra at major events in Ireland and internationally, bringing a strong rhythmic drive to the band.

Jack Talty and Ruairí McGorman are two acclaimed musicians whose partnership blends artistry, experience, and a strong connection to the Irish traditional music tradition.

Jack Talty, from County Clare, is a multi-award-winning musician, composer, educator, and academic. He has performed extensively across Europe, the United States, Australia, and Asia, and has contributed to over 100 albums as a musician, producer, and arranger. Jack is the founder and artistic director of Raelach Records, a label widely recognised for its innovative approach to traditional music. A lecturer at University College Cork, he established the MA in Irish Traditional Music in 2024. His work spans performance, research, and arts advocacy, exploring areas such as pedagogy, composition, and music technology.

Ruairí McGorman is an accomplished bouzouki, guitar, and fiddle player, known for his distinctive accompaniment and deep knowledge of the tradition. Influenced by the sound of the 1970s, particularly De Danann and Alec Finn, he is in high demand as an accompanist. Ruairí has performed widely in Ireland and internationally, including in Australia, the United States, Germany, and New Zealand, sharing his music at festivals and concerts worldwide.