Music

We are currently in the process of assembling our entertainment lineup for 2023. Please check back soon to view detailed bios of all our festival performers. In the mean time, feel free to listen to Irish Fest performers past and present in our music player. Note that several of the musicians featured in the player will not be performing at the 2023 festival.

The Prodigals are considered to be one of the most successful bands to emerge from the east coast Irish scene. While the band members largely grew up in Ireland, their current roots are in Manhattan. The Prodigals’ sound retains authentic Irish traditional melodic roots, while embracing eclectic world rhythms infused with NYC energy. They have released ten albums—the most recent in 2022—and have headlined major[...] Read More »

The Prodigals

The High Kings
After 15 years at the top of their game, The High Kings are still selling out venues around the world to an ever- growing army of loyal fans. Having already surpassed a million listeners on Spotify as well as 2 platinum albums in their time, The High Kings are celebrating 15 years together by releasing 15 brand new tracks to their fans as well as[...] Read More »

The High Kings

Derek Warfield’s 50 years of experience coupled with the talent and energy of The Young Wolfe Tones brings the old tradition of Irish balladry into a new age. The story of Ireland is transmitted in their music and song and illuminated by the outstanding musicianship of three wonderful ambassadors of a new generation of traditional players. Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones deliver Ireland’s[...] Read More »

Derek Warfield & the Young Wolfe Tones

The New Barleycorn
The New Barleycorn present their live Irish show with vitality, passion, and a touch of humor. Singing and playing both contemporary folk and traditional Celtic songs and music, they have woven their own musical tapestry of intricate rhythms and melodies. Alec and John have performed live and on many television and radio shows—both together and separately—in such places as Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia,[...] Read More »

The New Barleycorn

The Bow Tides
The Bow Tides is a powerhouse Celtic ensemble led by three Irish fiddlers—Ellery Klein, Jessie Burns, and Katie Grennan. These dynamic women are veterans of the stage and studio, with a collective 15 years as the fiddlers with the Irish-American supergroup Gaelic Storm. In the summer of the pandemic 2020, the world over was feeling lost and in much need of connection, inspiration, and community.[...] Read More »

The Bow Tides

Derek Wikarski – Lead vocals, harmonica, bodhran, mandolin Paul Wikarski – Guitar, banjo, fiddle, bodhran, vocals ​Here’s Brother Crowe; a 4-piece Celtic Roots Rock powerhouse ready to tear up the stage! Brother Crowe is a gritty, Bluegrass-leaning Celtic Roots Rock Band out of Detroit, who focuses on original music while staying true to their Celtic Roots. Their music (by Brother Crowe and The Kreellers) is available[...] Read More »

Brother Crowe

Brigid's Cross
Formed in 1996, Brigid’s Cross has been delighting audiences across the U.S. and throughout Ireland, performing a wide variety of songs from several genres, best described as eclectic music with a Celtic twist! They are a family act, with Paul Baker on fiddle, his wife Peggy Goonan Baker on keyboard and bodhran, and nephew Richie Reece on guitar, along with guest vocalist Dick Goonan (Peggy’s[...] Read More »

Brigid’s Cross

The Elders
The Elders remain one of the top Celtic-rock bands in the US after 24 years because of their timeless sound. It’s their passion, great melodies, unique harmonies, unparalleled musicianship, and strong songwriting that keeps them connected. Their songwriting began in 1998 when two musicians moved back from L.A. to Kansas City to play Irish music. Norm Dahlor and Brent Hoad played in numerous bands, but[...] Read More »

The Elders

Ally the Piper
Ally is a multi-instrumentalist out of New York. She specializes in celtic instrumentation, such as the Highland Bagpipe, Scottish Smallpipe, Irish whistles, and vocals. At age 16 Ally became a world champion performing on the Highland Bagpipe, and holds several domestic and international titles. She performs professionally, and virtually through her various social media platforms where she has amassed nearly three million followers, making her[...] Read More »

Ally the Piper

James Kilbane
Since his success in the ‘You’re a Star’, an Irish reality television talent search show in 2004, James has gone on to record and release 13 well-received albums and numerous single releases. James Kilbane’s music is now known around the world. He has a mix of his Irish culture, across folk, country and gospel styles of music. Kilbane is award winning for his gospel and[...] Read More »

James Kilbane

Ballinloch, our town on the lake: connecting our home in Northeast Ohio to our heritage in Ireland, telling stories of our families, from rebellions to immigration, and trips back to “home”. Ballinloch blends traditional tunes with sometimes haunting, sometimes uplifting original lyrics by songwriter, Marcus Dirk. Like true schanachies of old, Ballinloch’s tales keep the hearth’s fire lit with music that draws us back to[...] Read More »

Ballinloch

The Byrne Brothers, hailing from Donegal, Ireland, are a family band and Irish dancers who have garnered much success and recognition. Their achievements include winning the 2022 Young Artist Academy© Award for Outstanding Music Ensemble and being named Rising Stars of the Year 2021 and Best CD Cover of 2021 by American Celtic Radio Listeners for their album “Living the Dream.” The Byrne Brothers are[...] Read More »

The Byrne Brothers

The Fitzgeralds
A family group consisting of fiddling and step dancing siblings, The Fitzgeralds are Tom, Kerry, & Julie Fitzgerald and Alanna Jenish on guitar. This unique act features high-energy fiddling and mind-blowing step dancing. It is the rare combination of exceptional musicianship, incomparable step dancing, audience interaction, evident love of performing, and genuine sibling connection that resonates with audiences of all ages and sets this group[...] Read More »

The Fitzgeralds

Marys Lane
Marys Lane is an Irish-American rock band, based in Cleveland, Ohio. The origin of their name comes from a long-standing quip among the descendants of Achill Island, County Mayo, Ireland. Marys Lane is a place where multiple widowers, all named Mary, independently occupied the only homes on their street, which included Mulloy’s grandmother. Soon after forming, the band began playing traditional Irish favorites and bar-room[...] Read More »

Marys Lane