Russell Festival Friday Concert 2025

Featuring Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh & Dónal O’Connor, James & Carol Cullinan, Mick Connelly, Dermot Byrne and Steve Cooney

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh

“One of the earthiest and most distinctive voices, not just in traditional circles, but anywhere” – The Irish Times

“One of today’s great singers” – Irish Echo

“Mysterious Perfection”- Dónal Lunny

A renowned artist with a proven record of performance, recording and innovation, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is a multi-award winning traditional singer and musician from Corca Dhuibhne, West Kerry. Muireann is a leading exponent of the sean nós style, and loves to engage with audiences to share her love of the Irish song tradition. Her childhood in West Kerry saw her immersed in a rich cultural environment and vital living tradition. This was to be hugely influential on the foundation of her distinctive vocal and instrumental sound.

Muireann has enjoyed a successful career as a touring artist, with over thirteen years experience as lead singer and flute player with the Irish traditional supergroup Danú, as well as a many years performing as a solo artist. She holds an MA in Traditional Music Performance from the University of Limerick. In 2022 Muireann was awarded “Best Folk Singer” at the RTÉ Radio Folk Awards, and amongst many other awards, was Amhránaí na Bliana at the TG4 Gradaim Ceoil in 2011.

Muireann is also a popular television and radio presenter, having hosted a range of programmes for Irish and Scottish TV and Radio over the past 15 years, and currently presents her own music programme “Folk on One” on RTÉ Radio 1. Always keen to explore new ground, she has collaborated with many musicians in genres ranging from traditional to classical, world music to electronica. Most recently Muireann recorded “Róisín ReImagined” an album of sean nós songs arranged by contemporary Irish arrangers with the Irish Chamber Orchestra which garnered many 5 star reviews.

Dónal O'Connor

Dónal O’Connor is one of Ireland’s leading traditional musicians, he is also a much sought-after and highly regarded producer. He comes from a long and distinguished line of Irish fiddlers and singers and his collaborations have variously included membership of Ulaid, At First Light, Lá Lugh and RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh’s touring ensemble. Described by the Irish Times as a ‘fearless musical adventurer’ and ‘a renaissance man’ he has brought his native Oriel music to all four corners of the globe, and he is a founder and Artistic Director of Belfast Tradfest.

His fiddle style is heavily influenced by his father Gerry O’Connor, the Oriel tradition, and the great northern fiddle masters such as Seán Maguire, Brendan McGlinchey, Bríd Harper & Tommy Peoples. He has composed music for theatre, television and film and has presented music shows for BBC ALBA, BBC NI, TG4, BBC Radio Ulster and Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Dónal is also the producer of the recent collaboration between Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and The Irish Chamber Orchestra “Róisín ReImagined”.

“O’Connor’s winning blend of pace and lyricism transmits his enthusiasm for the music directly to the listener with irresistible impact” – Herald Scotland

James & Carol Cullinan

James, originally from Kilnamona, moved to Doolin nearly 30 years ago and has been sharing his music in our village ever since. His beautiful and generous fiddle playing was captured on the excellent album “Happy To Meet”, which he recorded back in 2002 together with the late PJ Crotty on flute and his wife Carol on piano. Carol Cullinan (née Talty), James’ wife is a wonderful piano player. Her tasteful playing and great sensitivity always provide a perfect balance that enhances the beauty of the music. James released his solo album in 2024 'Here it is'.

Mick Conneely

Mick is widely regarded as one of the finest fiddle players of his generation in the Irish tradition. To date he has played, toured and recorded with many artists, most notably De Danann. In 2001 his debut solo album Selkie was released to critical acclaim on the prestigious boutique trad label Cló Iar-Chonnacht and he has recorded on numerous albums to date. Mick's style of fiddle playing is characterized by his expressive tone, rhythmic drive, inventive ornamentation and his rich repertoire of tunes. Mick is a leading exponent of the 6-string Greek bouzouki in Irish traditional music.

Mick has taught fiddle and bouzouki at various festivals and workshops around the world. Mick played fiddle with legendary Irish music group De Danann periodically over 22 years from 1991-2013 (full-time between 2009-2013, recording one studio album Wonderwaltz with the band in 2010). Mick continues to collaborate with David Munnelly promoting their fiddle & accordion duet.

Dermot Byrne hails from the Inishowen peninsula of Co. Donegal, the most northerly part of Ireland, and has played accordion from the early age of four. A child prodigy, he learnt from some of the greatest Donegla fiddlers including Johnny Doherty, Con Cassidy, James Byrne, Tommy Peoples, Francie Mooney, The Campbell’s and Dinny McLaughlin. He has recorded and performed with artists such as Dolly Parton, John Prine, Stephane Grappelli, Vince Gill, Phill Coulter, The Stunning, Salsa Celtica, Brendan Quinn, Frankie Lane, Mary Black, Tim o Brien, Alison Krauss and Paul Brady.

Over his many years of playing, Dermot developed a unique style. His seemingly effortless playing, combined with great subtlety, and a faultless ear, makes him one of the great accordion players of his generation. As well as his mastery of the Donegal style and repertoire, Dermot can turn with ease to other styles and traditions such as French musette, or South American music. He guested on two Altan recordings “The Red Crow” and “Island Angel” before joining the band in 1994.

Steve Cooney is best known for his development of an influential style of guitar accompaniment to the traditional dance music of West Kerry, for which he won the National Entertainment Award in 1997. Born in Melbourne Australia in 1953, he came to Ireland in 1980 and maintains his connections with the Aboriginal culture there, into which he was initiated. He has ancestral links with Tipperary, Cavan and Galway. He has participated in making more than 250 CD's, either as a guitar or bass player or as producer and engineer. Also a poet and songwriter, he has worked with many iconic international artists in rock and country but his primarily focus is Irish traditional music, and fusions of that genre. In 2020 he released a CD of solo guitar interpretations of ancient harp tunes, Ceol Ársa Cláirsí, which won 3 awards at the 2020 RTÉ Folk Awards as well as Irish Times traditional album of the year. He was also given a Lifetime Achievement award by RTÉ. He completed an M.Litt.Ed in 2011 and a Ph.D. in 2018 on an intuitive musical notation system that he has developed for early learners and those who have difficulties with staff notation.