Instrumental Workshops take place on Saturday 20th September 2025
from 10:00am - 1:00pm in St. Oliver’s Community School.
Composition & Arrangement Workshop takes place on Sunday 21st September 2025
from 11:00am - 2:00pm in Barlow House.
Damien Mullane (Button Accordion & Composition/Arrangement)
Damien Mullane is a virtuoso button accordion and melodeon player, renowned for his dynamic and boundary-pushing approach to Irish traditional music. Born in London to Cork parents, Damien rose to prominence at a young age, winning multiple All-Ireland titles and touring internationally with Comhaltas. At just 19, he joined the legendary group De Dannan, performing with Frankie Gavin and earning widespread acclaim for his technical brilliance.
His solo albums 13 (2013) and Evoke (2024) showcase his original compositions and collaborations with leading artists such as Donogh Hennessy and Zoë Conway. Damien has performed at prestigious venues worldwide—including Carnegie Hall, Glastonbury, Slane Castle, and Radio City Music Hall—and shared stages with artists such as Sting, Barack Obama, and Bill Whelan.
Deeply rooted in tradition yet fearless in innovation, Damien Mullane continues to redefine the possibilities of Irish music on the global stage.
Please note, tickets are purchased separately for button accordion and composition & arrangement workshops.
Catherine McEvoy (flute)
Catherine McEvoy is one of today’s foremost traditional Irish flute players. Born to Roscommon parents, she grew up immersed in music, influenced by greats like Josie McDermott. A respected tutor, Catherine teaches at Willie Clancy Summer School and leads sessions in Dublin’s Cobblestone pub. She was a member of Macalla, Ireland’s first all-female traditional group. She has also collaborated in duets with her brother John McEvoy and fiddler Brendan Mulvihill, and recorded ensemble albums such as Comb Your Hair and Curl It (2010) with Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh. (They’re not brothers)
Notably, Catherine received ‘TG4 Musician of the Year’ award in 2019. Her albums, most notably The Home Ruler and her new 2025 release Down the Crushan Road, showcase elegant phrasing, lively ornamentation, and deep musicality, solidifying her reputation as a master of style, expression, and tradition.
Bernadette Nic Gabhann (fiddle)
Bernadette Nic Gabhann is a renowned Irish fiddle player from County Meath, celebrated for her expressive performances and commitment to traditional Irish music. Raised in a musical family, she learned to play the fiddle from her father, Antóin Mac Gabhann, a respected figure in the Irish music community.
Bernadette has toured extensively, performing with acclaimed groups such as Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance and Gaelforce Dance, bringing Irish music to audiences worldwide . In 2017, she released her solo album Here to Play, a collection of 13 fiddle tracks accompanied by harpist Eileen Gannon, featuring a duet with her father . She is also a member of the transatlantic group NicGaviskey, known for their album Home Away from Home.
Currently based in County Meath, Bernadette continues to perform and teach, hosting the 'Meath Beo' live music events that celebrate Irish culture and heritage.
George McAdam (banjo)
From Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, George McAdam is one of the foremost tenor banjo players of his generation. Claiming the title of ‘Senior All-Ireland Champion’ on banjo in 2015, he is highly sought after as an accomplished performer and tutor both in Ireland and overseas. George regularly teaches at notable summer schools such as Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, Joe Mooney and Scoil Éigse. He recently performed and tutored at Belfast TradFest and Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh.
In addition to his solo banjo prowess, George is a member of the Blackwater Céilí Band, winning the All-Ireland Céilí Band title at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018. The band has gone on to record two successful albums over the last few years. George has also featured on RTÉ and TG4 programmes including ‘Comhludar Cheoil’, ‘Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy’ and the ‘Fleadh Cheoil’ on RTE1.
Seán O’Meara (guitar)
Seán O'Meara is a versatile musician, composer, and singer-songwriter from Limerick, Ireland. Influenced by rock, pop, classical, and traditional Irish music, he began performing at 16 and has since toured in over 20 countries across five continents. A 2012 All-Ireland Fleadh winner, Seán has shared stages with artists including Sting, Cory Wong, Máirtín O’Connor, and Denise Chaila, and appeared on BBC Alba, TG4, RTÉ, PBS, and more.
A graduate of the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick, he now teaches with Music Generation Limerick and lectures in Irish and Classical music at UL. He currently tours with the Olllam and previously with Boxing Banjo, contributing to acclaimed albums with both groups. His debut solo single, Feelin’ Ain’t Right (2022), is the first track from his latest solo album. Seán’s dynamic artistry and innovative style continue to inspire audiences and a new generation of young musicians.
Fergus McGorman (tin whistle)
Fergus McGorman is a traditional Irish flautist, teacher, and recording artist, renowned for his captivating tone, technical precision, and deep respect for tradition. A native of Ratoath, Co. Meath, he grew up in a musical family and developed a strong, expressive playing style rooted in the flute traditions of the North Connacht region.
In 2017, he released his debut solo album, Sweeping the Cobwebs Out of the Sky, featuring a mix of lively and thoughtful & reflective tunes. He is joined on the recording by Paddy McEvoy (piano), Ruairí McGorman (bouzouki), and John Blake (guitar).
Fergus is also a member of the quartet KeaneConnollyMcGorman, who released their debut album in 2023. Known for both solo and ensemble performances, Fergus appears regularly at festivals and concerts in Ireland and internationally, and is a respected teacher of traditional music.
Sárán Mulligan (concertina)
Sárán Mulligan is a talented concertina player from Dundalk, County Louth, renowned for his expressive and dynamic performances. He began playing the concertina at the age of 9, learning under the guidance of Micheál Ó Raghallaigh from County Meath . Sárán has achieved significant success in Irish traditional music competitions, including winning the Senior All-Ireland title on concertina in 2018.
Sárán is known for his intricate chordal arrangements, rhythmic style and for his unique collaborations with other musicians, such as Muirine Nic Róibín (clarinet) & Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin (dance). Sárán showcases his versatility and commitment to preserving and promoting Irish music, while pushing the boundaries of the tradition. His music greatly contributes to the rich tapestry of Louth's musical heritage, captivating audiences with his skill and artistry.
Éilis Needham (harp)
Éilís Needham is a multi-instrumentalist from Hazelwood Co. Sligo. She is the current winner of the prestigious International Harp competition at the O’Carolan Harp Festival in Keadue Co. Roscommon. Éilís has numerous All-Ireland titles to her name on both the harp and button accordion and was the All-Ireland Senior Champion in the Harp Slow Airs competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2022 in Mullingar. She released her debut album titled "Fuinniúil" in 2017 and makes regular appearances on TG4, RTÉ and Raidió a Gaeltachta. She performed solo on the TG4 “Fleadh Fest” series that aired summer of 2021. Éilís delved into the art of composition at the age of 16 when she moved to Inis Meáin, na hOileain Árainn to immerse herself in the Irish language. She has won many competitions and scholarships with her newly composed tunes - one of which was published in the “Irish Music Magazine” in 2021.
She was a finalist in the Bonn Óir Seán Ó Riada competition that took place in Co. Cork in 2021 and 2025. She performed in the National Concert Hall as a finalist in the Siansa Gael Linn competition and has performed in other notable venues around the country including the Guildhall Derry and the Cork City Hall for the premier of the Irish film “The Hegarty’s of the Laurels” that commemorated the Irish Civil war in 1922. Éilís now resides in Cork city where she really enjoys doing gigs at the weekends and teaching music on a weekly basis.