Instrumental Workshops take place on Saturday 19th September 2026
from 11:00am - 2:00pm in St. Oliver’s Community College (A92 D766).
Composition & Arrangement Workshop takes place on Sunday 20th September 2026
from 11:00am - 2:00pm in Barlow House, Droichead Arts Centre (A92 CPF9).
Sets Céilí takes place on Sunday 20th September 2026 from 3:00pm - 6:00pm in St. Peter’s Parish Church Hall (A92 AP95).
John Carty (fiddle)
John Carty is widely regarded as one of Ireland's foremost traditional musicians. A native of London with deep family roots in County Roscommon and Connemara, he is celebrated for his exceptional mastery of both fiddle and banjo. His playing combines technical brilliance with a deep understanding of the North Connacht musical tradition. John has performed and recorded extensively with many of the leading figures in Irish traditional music, notably Matt Molloy and was honoured as TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year in 2003. As founder and driving force behind At the Racket, he has played a central role in reviving the rich repertoire of early Irish-American dance bands and bringing this vibrant musical tradition to contemporary audiences.
Brian McGrath (banjo)
Brian McGrath is one of Ireland's most respected accompanists and multi-instrumentalists. Originally from Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, he is renowned for his dynamic piano playing, as well as his skill on tenor guitar, banjo and mandolin. Brian's versatility has made him a sought-after collaborator across a wide range of traditional music projects, where his sensitive accompaniment and inventive arrangements are highly valued. His ability to move seamlessly between driving dance music and subtle accompaniment makes him a vital element of At the Racket's distinctive sound.
Séamus O’Donnell (flute)
Séamus O'Donnell is an accomplished flute player, singer and multi-instrumentalist whose musical style reflects a broad range of influences. A native of County Sligo, he is particularly noted for his expressive flute playing and his ability to bridge traditional Irish music with elements of jazz and swing. In At the Racket, his musicianship brings colour and variety through flute, saxophone and vocals, helping to recreate the cosmopolitan sound world of the early twentieth-century dance bands that inspire the group's repertoire.
Michael McCague (guitar/bouzouki)
Michael McCague is an acclaimed guitarist and bouzouki player from County Monaghan. Known for his tasteful accompaniment, rhythmic drive and deep understanding of traditional music, Michael has established himself as one of Ireland's leading accompanists. He has performed and recorded with many distinguished musicians and is particularly admired for his ability to support and enhance ensemble playing. Within At the Racket, his guitar and bouzouki provide the rhythmic foundation that underpins the group's energetic and engaging performances.
Alannah Thornburgh (harp)
Alannah Thornburgh is an award-winning instrumentalist and composer from the wild west of Ireland with a focus on traditional Irish harp. Alannah’s music explores her family heritage, reimagining melodies from the Irish harping and American folk & jazz traditions. This cross-genre interaction and juxtaposition of old melodies with contemporary harmonies and technique is interwoven throughout her music, described as being ‘unforced, fluid and utterly at home in her own sound’ (The Irish Times). In February 2025, Alannah released her debut album ‘Shapeshifter’ - a collection of compositions inspired by fairy folklore & mythology in rural Ireland (“Sublime debut from Mayo composer” 9/10 - Hot Press). Alannah was awarded ‘Best Folk Instrumentalist’ at the 2025 RTÉ Folk Awards and was also awarded Musician-In-Residence at Carnegie Library, Fingal County Council / Music Network where she composed a suite entitled ‘The Thinning Veil: Haunting Tales & Tunes of Fingal’. Alannah also received the Traditional Arts Bursary 2025 for her collaborative compositional project ‘An t-Alltar’, due for release in 2027.
Ciarán Hanna (concertina)
Ciarán Hanna hailing from Coalisland, Co. Tyrone took the title of All-Ireland Senior Concertina Champion in 2014. Ciarán is a member of "Reel it In" having played all over Ireland and Europe. As well as the concertina, he is an excellent whistle player claiming numerous Ulster titles. A respected player, Ciaran has been a member of the Knockmore Ceili Band since 2012. He is highly sought after as a concertina tutor.
Gary Curley (button accordion)
Gary Curley is a button accordionist from Boho, Co. Fermanagh. He holds a honours degree in Music from Ulster University and a PGCE in Music Education. Combining academic expertise with a lifelong passion for traditional Irish music, he has established a strong reputation as a music educator, working with organisations including Music Generation and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Rooted in a rich family tradition of music and influenced by some of Ireland’s leading accordionists, Gary has performed at numerous festivals across Ireland and internationally. Gary has made several appearances across various Irish and international television and radio programmes, including TG4’s ‘Fleadh TV’ & ‘Sruth’, RTE’s ‘Fleadh Cheoil’, ‘Céilí House’ & ‘Ceol Binn ó na Beanna’, and BBC’s ‘The Repair Shop’ & ‘Folk Club’ reaching audiences worldwide. In 2025, he released CHUNKY BUSINESS, his debut album with Co. Derry banjo player Stephen McKee, showcasing their distinctive and energetic musical style.
Aimée Farrell-Courtney (bodhrán)
Aimée Farrell Courtney is an acclaimed Irish bodhrán performer, educator and founder of TradDRUM, an international bodhrán community dedicated to music education and performance. A World Bodhrán Champion, she first appeared on stage at Dublin’s National Concert Hall aged eight. Renowned for her expressive accompaniment and electrifying rhythmic solos, Aimée has performed with leading Irish artists including Dónal Lunny, Andy Irvine and Liam O’Flynn, as well as with ensembles including Danú, CARA, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Performance from TU Dublin Conservatory, graduating with First Class Honours, and is also a trained Wellbeing Coordinator for the Arts through University College Cork.
Donnchadh Mac Aodha (composition & arrangement)
Donnchadh Mac Aodha is a composer and multi-instrumentalist from Dundalk, Co.Louth. He studied music and Irish at University College Cork, where he was a Quercus Creative and Performing Arts Scholar. Donnchadh’s compositional output engages with the boundary of contemporary music and traditional Irish music, drawing on his extensive experience as a traditional harper and flute player. His pieces have been performed at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival, Ostrava Days Festival, Cork International Choral Festival, West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival, and the New Ross Piano Festival. In 2024 he was commissioned to write a suite for Consairtín, The National Concertina Convention. He is currently working on a commission for the Music Generation Louth Harp Ensemble and Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland, funded by Creative Ireland.
Louise O’Connor (Céilí dancing host)
Raised in the west of Ireland, Louise O’Connor has been immersed in Irish traditional music and dance from an early age. A skilled Sean Nós dancer, traditional Irish fiddle player, and experienced céilí dance instructor, she specialises in creating engaging, inclusive, and enjoyable dance experiences for corporate groups, language schools, weddings, festivals, and special events.
Drawing on her background in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Transcultural European Outdoor Studies, Louise brings strong group facilitation skills to her teaching. Her approach combines cultural heritage, movement, and connection, helping participants of all ages and abilities build confidence, community, and enjoyment through dance.