SEOID – Kerrie Herrity, Banjo/Fiddle/Mandolin – Maugherow native and former All Ireland Banjo Senior Champion was introduced to music and dancing by her parents at an early in Luton, UK where a thriving irish scene nurtured and encouraged her progression on several instruments. In recent years Kerrie has begun composing some of her own music which are included in the album ‘Box and Banjo ‘, with box player Kenny Donagher. Her compositions are primarily inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Sligo where she is now based. Kerrie completed her TTCT in 2017 and continues to teach and adjudicate at both national and international Fleadhanna along with being a regular tutor at Ireland’s leading Summer Schools. In 2015 Kerrie was instrumental in gathering support to establish the Benbulben Comhaltas Branch which now has an active following and hosts the Knocklane Traditional Festival. Kerrie has performed with many groups and artists to date including a performance on Broadway with the dance group ‘Shaylyn’, and various Comhaltas Tours the UK, and United States.

Kenny Donagher, Box/Melodeon/Harmonica – Kenny Donagher is an accordion player who grew up in a family steeped in music in Easkey in County Sligo. From a young age Kenny joined the family on stage for concerts, céilithe, at fleadhanna and on radio and television. After a few years involved with with drama and musical theatre, Kenny got the opportunity to work in local radio as a sound engineer and subsequently as the presenter of the station’s traditional music programme for the best part of a decade. Kenny has also explored many other music genres from blues to folk as a soloist and band member on keyboard, blues harmonica and backing vocals, as well as on accordion. In 2015 he recorded and produced an album in 2015 with Kerrie Herrity which was launched at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Sligo 2015 which featured on Fleadh TV that year. He has featured on a number of recordings since and has played at numerous festivals and concerts both at home and abroad over the last 3 decades. His traditional music style is rooted in Sligo fiddle music but is also peppered with with contemporary influences and newly composed music.

John Dwyer, Flute/Whistle/Keys – John comes from Mullaghroe, about 2 miles from Gurteen Village. From a very early age John’s interest in traditional music was influenced, encouraged and nurtured by his late grandmother ‘Babs’ Dwyer. During his informative years he attended music classes for tinwhistle in Gurteen with teachers Paddy Ryan & PJ Hernon. Later he progressed to the concert flute and piano. In teenage years he was introduced to the late ‘Ted McGowan’ academy…The Róisín Dubh in Gurteen. Here John had the opportunity to meet with, listen to, learn from and play with some of the all time greats…Peter Horan, Tom McGowan, Kevin O’Brien, Andy Davey, to name but a few. Over the years John has played with and accompanied many trad groups, notably Shebeen & Céilí bands for Fleadhanna. Besides playing music John is actively involved in carrying on the tradition in his tutoring role at the South Sligo Summer School in Tubbercurry and promoting the best of traditional music, song and dance as events manager at the Coleman Music Centre in Gurteen.

Fiachra Guihen,Guitar/Harp –Fiachra hails from between Keadue and Arigna in Co. Roscommon. He comes from a musical family. Fiachra started playing music when he was seven years old. He started on the tin whistle and then moved to the flute and later when he was fifteen to the harp. More recently he has taken up playing guitar and piano. By day he is a teacher in Co. Leitrim but by night he is a busy musician. He plays regularly all around the locality at sessions, concerta and at gigs with a few different groups but mainly with Gan Ainm.

Gerry O’Connor – Gerry was born in Tipperary in 1960 into a family steeped in Irish Traditional music . Learning music from his parents and grandparents he started playing banjo and fiddle in his early teens. In 1977 while attending UCD in Dublin he joined popular folk band Tipsy Sailor and made numerous TV appearances with them. He joined The Wild Geese in 1981 and toured Europe extensively, recording two albums with the group . Earle Hitchner of The Wall Street Journal described Gerry as ’the best banjoist in the history of Irish music’ following the release of his album ‘No Place like Home’ in 2004. In 1984 he joined Dublin ballad group Moonshine and also Jury’s Irish Cabaret which became the worlds longest running cabaret show and attended by millions of people over the years. During this period he also recorded tutor books and DVDs on tenor
banjo which were highly successful and distributed worldwide . 1990 saw the release of his first solo album “Time To Time” on the Mulligan
label.This album received rave reviews and is considered a classic benchmark for banjo in Irish music with many of the tracks used for TV programmes. The track,”Funk the Cajun Blues ” became a popular radio single and also featured on the big selling “Trad at Heart”Irish compilation music album in 1994. Gerry joined the band Four Men and a Dog in 1992 ,the first Irish band to win UK Folk Roots album of the year. Over 12 years they did four albums and became one of the most popular Irish Trad groups on the touring circuit worldwide. Highlights were performing at the Olympic Games in Atlanta 1996 recording and touring with rock and roll legends “The Band “. Between tours Gerry did countless recording sessions in Dublin for many artists, including Christy Moore, Bonnie Tyler, Albert Lee and the “Lord of the Dance “soundtrack. He joined The Sharon Shannon big band in 2008 recording two CDs and two DVDs.The song “The Galway Girl”became the most downloaded song in Irish music. He also recorded and toured with Sharon Corr and has also played on The Corr’s album “White Light” . In 2011 he joined rock guitar superstar Joe Bonamassa Acoustic Band recording two U.S. Billboard No1 albums and DVDs “Live in Vienna Opera House” and “Live at The Albert Hall”. Multiple tours followed including a world tour in 2014. In 2012, following the death of his friend, banjo legend Barney McKenna, Gerry guested with The Dubliners on their 50 years anniversary tour. That same year The Dublin Legends were born and continue to carry on the legacy and spirit of The Dubliners.

Accompanying Gerry O Connor will be Fiach O’Connor, Ademar O Connor, Jim Murray and Joe Connaire