Artists 2024
Tempest
Tempest are a powerful ensemble of traditional Irish musicians from Ulster. Featuring an exciting line-up of Brendan Mulholland, Bláithín Mhic Cana, Aaron O’ Hagan and Luke Ward, they have each achieved acclaim in their respective musical careers to date. Formed in 2023, Tempest are already regarded as a vibrant exponent of traditional Irish music and song, while their debut album,due out in 2024, is widely anticipated.
Bláithín Mhic Cana is from Mullaghban in County Armagh and is a teacher in Gaelscoil Phádraig Naofa in Crossmaglen. She comes from a background of traditional singers in Mullaghban and has taken on the mantle of the transmission of local oral Gaelic song.
She is an inspirational teacher of traditional singing in the school in which she teaches and is passing on songs from Oriel to young singers such as Piaras Ó Lorcáin and Tara Nic Giolla Phádraig. She continues to inspire many young people through teaching the songs, music and language of the area.
From Aughnamullan Co.Antrim, Aaron O’Hagan is a multi-instrumentalist and instrument maker making and playing uilleann pipes and wooden flutes. In 2021 he collaborated with Belfast based bouzouki player, Luke Ward to release their debut offering at the Ennis Trad Fest 2021. Entitled ‘From the Devil’s Punchbowl’ It was received to critical acclaim. He continues to be a regular fixture on the vibrant Belfast traditional music scene as well as a highly sought after teacher of traditional Irish music, teaching regularly at the Glengormley School of Traditional Music.
Luke Ward is a bouzouki player living in the musical melting pot that is Belfast. He has been involved in the traditional Irish music scene for the last 20 years and has been involved in many different touring and recording projects over that time including the 2005 critically acclaimed album with accordionist Martin Tourish entitled ‘Clan Ranald’. Luke has made multiple TV appearance including in the TG4 advertising campaign – The More you Look the More you See. More recently, he has teamed up with Uilleann Pipe maker and master, Aaron O’Hagan with the pair releasing ‘From the Devil’s Punchbowl’ in 2021 to much critical acclaim Luke thoroughly enjoys teaching bouzouki both locally and at the behest of Irish music festivals around the world.
Brendan Mulholland resides in the small village of Glenavy not far from the shores of Lough Neagh. Brendan started out on the flute at the age of 11 and is now widely regarded as one of the finest exponents of the Irish Wooden Flute throughout the world of folk and traditional music both at home and abroad. Brendan is a familiar face on the European circuit for flute workshops and lectures and has preformed and recorded with many acts including Realta, BrÍd Harper, Grainne Holland, John Carty and Mary Dillon. He is also a member of the Music in the Glen trio and Duo Mulholland & McCluskey.
Performances:
Fri 19.4.2024, G Livelab
Sat 20.4.2024, TTT-klubi
Trio Croisin
Eimear Coughlan from Tulla in Co. Clare continues the musical heritage of her grandfather Paddy Canny. As a multi-instrumentalist, she has performed on several music tours throughout Europe with the “Irish Harp Orchestra”. Over the past number of years, Eimear has accumulated many All Ireland titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. While also a fiddle player, Eimear learned her music from her grandfather and in more recent times, she has been performing with the highly acclaimed Tulla Céilí Band. Eimear’s harp playing can be heard on the new album “Úrnua” with Carl Hession and Francis Cunningham.
Francis Cunningham hails from Crusheen, Co. Clare. Described by Kevin Crawford as one of the finest young exponents of the concertina with a strong emphasis on the Clare tradition. He has just released an album with Carl Hession and Eimear Coughlan featuring 40 original compositions by Carl entitled “Úrnua”. Having won All Ireland concertina titles, he has taught and performed at various festivals.
Edel Vaughan has been the lead vocalist with the Kilfenora Céilí Band’ since 2016. Since her last successful album “Spreagtha”, Edel has been very busy touring extensively at home and abroad. As a solo performer over the years she has performed with many musicians, composers and performers. Edel has truly kept her roots in Clare, teaching traditional song with Comhaltas, teaching the Irish Language in the prestigious St. Flannan’s College.
Performances:
Thu 18.4.2024, Yo-talo
Sat 20.4.2024, TTT-klubi
Bunú
Bunú is an Irish-Finnish trio featuring Dáithí Ó’Braoináin and Mark Hennessey from Dublin and Helena Rängman from Tampere.
These performers are multidisciplinary; all three are not only professionals who have worked in music and performance for decades, but also teachers and experts in Irish dance.
Besides music and dance, Dáithín’s passion is the Irish language, culture and old myths. Mark composes music and works around the visual arts, and Helena works with musical theatre and its education.
In addition to traditional Irish music, the trio’s show will feature Mark’s own compositions and influences from Finnish folk music, old stories and songs from Ireland, and of course there will be no shortage of dancing as the former Lord of the Dance dancers get going!
Dáithí Ó’Braoináin – guitar, vocals, bodhran, dance
Mark Hennessey – violin, dance
Helena Rängman – vocals, flute, tin whistle, dance
Performances:
Thu 18.4.2024, Yo-talo
Sat 20.4.2024, TTT-klubi
Trio Salamankka
Trio Salamankka’s music echoes the mighty roar of the sea, the delicate sigh of the wind, the rhythmic splash of water droplets and the chirping of birds. The ensemble’s skilled musicians create atmospheric musical moments inspired by different musical traditions, including old Celtic melodies, Nordic compositions, juicy dance rhythms and the melodious sounds of traditional instruments. The arrangements live in the moment and with the heartbeat.
The three musicians play a variety of traditional instruments, such as the Uillean pipes, the bodhrán drum and the medieval hurdy-gurdy, to name but a few of the more unusual ones. Other instruments include a variety of string and bowed instruments and traditional Irish wind instruments such as tin whistles. Each member of the band also sings.
The members of Trio Salamanka have been introduced to Irish music through Irish sessions. For them, making music is an important part of being and socialising; the magic of playing together, the music flowing from the instruments, and the expressive traditional melodies captivate not only the listener but also the players. The power of the band’s music is sure to get your feet tapping!
Samuli Karjalainen – guitar, Irish bouzouki, tin whistle, bodhrán, vocals
Heikki Kylkisalo – Uillean pipes, whistles, guitar, vocals
Kirsi Vinkki – violin, viola, hurdy gurdy, bodhrán, vocals
Performances:
Fri 19.4.2024, G Livelab
Mustarastas
Performances:
Fri 19.4.2024 at 19:00, Tampere Old Church. Free entry
The Pink House
The Pink House is a trio of three young women united by their love for Ireland and Irish music. The trio’s music combines beautiful stemma singing, strong storytelling and, above all, friendship.
Eveliina Virtanen (Irish harp, vocals)
Hanna Kainisto (vocals)
Saana Hellsten (vocals)
Performances:
