Music

We are currently finalizing our entertainment lineup for 2024. Participating musicians will be listed here once the schedule is released. 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 2024 festival.

It’s hard to imagine a band just coming into their own after 20 years of success, but that’s exactly what makes a true anomaly. This multi-national, Celtic juggernaut grows stronger with each live performance, and as you can imagine, after two decades and over 2000 shows, it is a true force to be reckoned with. With their latest release, Go Climb a Tree, their music[...] Read More »

Gaelic Storm

Eileen Ivers
Eileen Ivers will change the way you think of the violin. Grammy-winning and Emmy-nominated, Eileen Ivers continues to push traditional fiddling boundaries from a folk music staple to a fiercely fresh, powerfully beautiful, intensely driving world stage experience. In a career that has spanned over 30 years, Ivers has performed and/or toured with such diverse artists as Sting, Patti Smith, Al Di Meola, Hall and[...] Read More »

Eileen Ivers

Rory Makem
A seasoned performer with over 35 years on the road, Rory has toured extensively with The Makem Brothers, and the Makem and Spain Brothers and for 17 years played guitar with his father, Tommy Makem. He has played sold-out venues, festivals, and theaters throughout the United States, Canada, England, Scotland and Ireland. At his best on stage, Rory captivates his audiences with charisma, passion for[...] Read More »

Rory Makem

Scythian
Named after Ukrainian nomads, Scythian (sith-ee-yin) plays roots music from Celtic, Eastern European and Appalachian traditions with thunderous energy, technical prowess, and storytelling songwriting, beckoning crowds into a barn-dance, rock concert experience. Nashville’s Music City Roots says Scythian is ‘what happens when rock star charisma meets Celtic dervish fiddling’, and the Washington Post claims “Scythian’s enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone[...] Read More »

Scythian

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

Seven Nations
The story of SEVEN NATIONS is that of a truly original and determined band that began in New York City, with members now hailing from California to Toronto, to Florida. They have for years booked their own tours and have had their own PBS & CNN specials. Throw away any preconceived notions you may have about Celtic music…this is a band that has invented its[...] Read More »

Seven Nations

The Byrne Brothers
The Byrne Brothers, from Donegal, Ireland, are a multi award winning family band currently taking the Irish American scene by storm! Their achievements include a massive social media presence, winning the Young Artist Academy© Award for Outstanding Music Ensemble and being named Rising Stars of the Year by American Celtic Radio Listeners for their album “Living the Dream.” They are also one of the biggest[...] 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

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

The Narrowbacks
nar·row·back /ˈnæroʊˌbæk/ [nar-oh-bak] –noun Slang. 1. Disparaging. an Irish-American. 2. a person of slight build who is unfit for hard labor. 
 The brain child of a future banker and a drop out bartender, The Narrowbacks are a fresh voice for songs and stories old and new. After some late night sing songs, a couple whiskeys and a few lost jobs we came up with[...] Read More »

The Narrowbacks

The Low Kings
As Pittsburgh’s premier Celtic rock band, The Low Kings have opened for international acts like Gaelic Storm, The Rumjacks, Young Dubliners, Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Screaming Orphans; have headlined festi-vals like Ligonier Highland Games, Horse Trading Days and the Mahoning Valley Irish Festival; and have appeared regularly at the Pittsburgh Irish Festival, Crafthouse Stage & Grill, Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, and more. Specializing in 6-piece[...] Read More »

The Low Kings

Ian Gould, hailing from the city of Belfast in the north of Ireland, embarked on his musical journey at a young age, performing in bands across Ireland, the UK, and Europe. With over three decades of international performances under his belt, Ian’s travels have taken him to vibrant cities. As far east as Moscow and as far west as San Francisco. While living in cities[...] Read More »

Ian Gould

Brigid's Cross
The next act is a taste of homegrown. Debuting at Price’s Public House on May 18, 1996, this group has since traveled all across the country and throughout Ireland. They’ve performed as a duo and trio at festivals and pubs too numerous to name, and on many Iirsh cruises, and are about to embark on their own (3rd) Beach’n Cruise in January of ’24. For[...] Read More »

Brigid’s Cross

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, which they have woven into their own musical tapestry of intricate rhythms and melodies. Both Alec and John were born and raised in Ireland where they learned to play music at an early age. They have[...] Read More »

The New Barleycorn

Andrew McManus Trio
The Andrew McManus Trio is Andrew McManus on guitar and vocals, Tessa Thistlethwaite on fiddle and vocals, and Mark Whalen Jr. on percussion. Hailing originally from Northern Ireland, Andrew McManus aims to create music that rises above divisions and differences such as those he felt growing up in Northern Ireland caused by the “Troubles”. And together with Tessa and Mark, the Trio aim to create[...] Read More »

Andrew McManus Trio

Ballinloch, our town of the lake: connecting our home in Northeast Ohio to our heritage in Ireland, telling stories of our families, from rebellion 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

Michael Crawley and Matt Sofranko have been playing music together for 13 years, starting as bandmates in Cleveland’s Celtic Rock band “Marys Lane” from 2010-2019 (where Matt is still a member). In 2020, Michael and Matt began playing as the duet “Crawley & Sofranko,” and currently perform between 80-100 performances regionally each year. A staple in Cleveland’s most popular local Irish pubs, Crawley & Sofranko[...] Read More »

Crawley & Sofranko