East Durham Irish Festival

Schedule

Over 30 different acts across 4 indoor stages!
From traditional Irish to Irish rock, there’s musical entertainment for everyone at the East Durham Irish Festival! Explore the lineup to see each artist and learn more about their music. It is an exciting mix this year of local, regional and international entertainment.

Full schedule coming soon!

2024 East Durham Irish Festival lineup

Shilelagh Law

Shilelagh Law (5 men, varied instruments)New York’s Thirstiest

New York and Irish music have a long and storied history together, a collision of two cultures that results in bedlam, beauty and a lot in between. Shilelagh Law embodies all that is New York Irish music: old songs, new songs, jigs, reels, dancing, weeping, lots of laughter, plenty of drinks and the inevitable visit to the local diner at 5am. By interpreting traditional Irish music through a filter of urban grittiness Shilelagh Law helps to define the Irish-American experience that is such a part of New York town.

Eileen Ivers

Grammy-winning and Emmy-nominated, renowned career as a performer, composer, producer, songwriter, band leader, educator, multi-instrumentalist and revered pioneer in connecting her American, Irish traditional, jazz, blues, and world roots.

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 30 plus years, Ivers has performed and/or toured with such diverse artists as Sting, Patti Smith, Al Di Meola, Hall and Oates and The Chieftains. She has guest starred with the London Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, over 50 symphony orchestras to date, and was the groundbreaking musical star of Riverdance, a featured instrumentalist on Back to Titanic and film soundtracks including Gangs of New York. She is a 9-time All-Ireland fiddle champion, and one of the most awarded All-Ireland Fiddle and Banjo champions ever. Eileen has been proclaimed “a national treasure” by NCTA Board Chairman George Holt.

The Narrowbacks

The Narrowbacks (6 men)The brainchild of a future banker and a drop out bartender, The Narrowbacks are a fresh voice for songs and stories old and new. The Narrowbacks have brought their Irish American Odyssey from the stages of the Bowery Ballroom and the Stone Pony to the Kansas City Irish Festival and everywhere in between. They built their following in the barrooms of New York City with modern covers of old classic Irish songs but have grown to performing their own original canon of Irish American stories to the rock clubs and festivals of the Northeast and Mid-West. Make sure to follow them @thenarrowbacks on Instagram, Facebook and Spotify!

“Their music is literally and figuratively electric, and it sounds best live.” – Colleen Taylor, Irish Echo

“Like Dropkick Murphy’s songs with less aggression, better vocals and more of a singer-songwriter air about them.” – Matt Inman, Relix Magazine.

Ally the Piper

Ally the Piper with bagpipesAlly the Piper 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 the most followed bagpiper on the internet.

Andy Cooney Band

Andy Cooney Band (7 members, with instruments) Andy Cooney has nine Carnegie Hall sellouts under his belt and also filled The David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center with The New York Tenors. His outstanding voice and dynamic stage presence have long been a favorite among young and old alike. His talent and versatility provide the ability to deliver a song directly to the hearts of his audience; Andy is surely one of the greatest singing sensations on the Irish Music scene today. Christened Irish America’s Favorite Son by The New York Times, it is a title he richly deserves. Andy Cooney is one of The New York Tenors, along with New York Italian Tenor Christopher Macchio and New York Puerto Rican Tenor Daniel Rodriquez, a trio which has been receiving high critical acclaim for a number of years.

Andy has recorded 19 albums to date, including Bright Brand New Day with Phil Coulter and his Orchestra. Andy and Phil frequently tour together and in March 2017, completed a three week tour of the US. Cooney’s Album , Irish Country Skyline, was released in the summer of 2016 as a journey back to his Country music roots. This release has been getting huge airplay all over Ireland and the UK with his hit singles On The Eighth Day and My Rose of Ballinrobe, both his own compositions.  2020 turned out to be an unusual year where the Coronavirus shut down the music industry.  During 2020, Andy managed to release 4 new singles during the Coronaviruses pandemic, “Take Me Back To Dublin”, “We’re All In This Together” with his son Ryan, “Come Tennessee Me Tonight” with Country Music legend Larry Gatlin to releasing his latest Album in 2021, Take Here In Your Arms. Andy Cooney is also known for his Cruise of Irish Stars which annually draws over 1,000 Irish and Irish Americans on a Caribbean Cruise enriched with the finest Irish entertainment including the great Ronan Tynan.

Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones

Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones (mixed group)

Derek Warfield has spent more than sixty years entertaining audiences with Irish music, releasing 13 best-selling albums, traversing the globe to perform at venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, and playing for countless dignitaries.

The band formed in 1963 and drew its name from Irish revolutionary Theobald Wolfe Tone – playing songs harkening back to revolutionary themes and Irish traditional music. As he toured with the Wolfe Tones throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Warfield noticed that the appreciation for Irish music was not limited to people living in Ireland.

In 2001, Warfield left the Wolfe Tones and eventually started Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones, with a mission to “bring the old tradition of Irish balladry into a new age.”

The Band:
Derek calls Damaris Woods, who plays banjo, the “best banjo player and artistic banjo player in the world today.” She is a resident of County Meath. Andreas Durkin hails from County Cavan and serves as keyboardist and vocalist for the band. He has performed as a soloist and alongside his mother, Irish country singer Kathy Durkin. The youngest member of the band is Eddie Kane from County Kildare, another vocalist who also plays guitar. Kane’s mother played in a traditional Irish music band with her siblings, and he has performed with a number of other Irish singers. Brent Hopper lives in Cleveland, Ohio & has been playing music and touring for more than 25 years across the United States with several different musical configurations.

Through the medium of song, Warfield has merged this commemoration of Irish patriotism and history with the opportunity to share this tradition with younger generations.

The Wooden Nickels

The Wooden Nickels, Brian McCarthy (Drums), Jessica Semins (Fiddle, Guitar and vocals), Sean feeney (Guitar, vocals, tin whistle, mandolin), and Brian McArtin (guitar, vocals) came together out of a love of Irish, Americana, Rock, Blues, Folk and bluegrass. Together they are storming the music scene with their blend of old favorites, new twists on classics, modern day Americana and Irish jigs and reels, for good measure! Their presence in the Bronx and Yonkers Irish music scene is making a buzz that people are hearing, and they’re coming to a local watering hole and festival near you!

The Canny Brothers

The Canny Brothers - 6 menThe Brooklyn-based, “The Canny Brothers Band” has built a solid reputation in the NYC Irish music scene by performing their own brand of Celtic roots-rock. An exciting brew of traditional Irish music, folk, bluegrass, rock, and reflective original songs immersed in a spirit of improvisation, they regularly raise the roof at pubs, parties, fundraisers, and festivals.

Screaming Orphans

Screaming Orphans (4 women)Screaming Orphans are a chart-topping all-sister Celtic folk and pop band from Donegal. They are known worldwide for their award-winning sound combining original pop songs with a unique take on traditional Irish music. From an early age, the Diver sisters entertained international audiences around Ireland accompanying their mother, legendary céilí singer Kathleen Fitzgerald. The band has always defied being pigeonholed, having masterfully developed their own unique fusion of folk and pop. The sisters’ trademark spine-tingling four-part harmony and mastery of their instruments combined with their highly energized performances take audiences of all ages on an exhilarating and emotional musical journey.

Screaming Orphans’ pitch perfect harmonies have led them to many collaborations on recordings and stage with artists such as Sinéad O’Connor, Peter Gabriel, Joni Mitchell, Baaba Maal, and Afro Celt Sound System. The band continues to tour and play extensively across America, Canada and Europe.

As of this year, the band has released 15 albums, encompassing both original pop and folk/Irish music, as well as one Christmas album. Their albums Taproom, Life in a Carnival, and Sunshine and Moss have topped Billboard, iTunes and World Music charts.

The Diddley Idols

The Diddly Idols (man and woman with guitars)The Diddley Idols are the NYC based dynamic duo with the full band sound, Queens native Dave Barckow (Eileen Ivers) and Dubliner, Louise Barry (Celtic Angels). A chance encounter and undeniable chemistry led to the formation of this energetic World Record holding band in 2013.

As two lead vocalists, the addition of Dave’s foot operated drum kit and guitar and Louise’s ukulele and melodic percussion prove that “great things do come in small packages!”

A “live tour de force” with their high octane mix of pop and Irish tunes and all the party rock you can handle. Their hotly anticipated Irish album is a follow up to their debut, “We Said We Would’’. The first single being their most requested song, The Cranberries anthem, Zombie. The phenomenal Eileen Ivers, lends her incredible sound to The Diddley Idols’ haunting yet raucous version.

With their second single, Rocky Road to Dublin, The “Diddleys” do what they do best, turning the Traditional, UNtraditional! Dave’s unmistakable groove and percussive guitars set the tone for Louise’s fierce vocals. With help from their talented friends, featuring Ben Golder-Novick (PMJ) , it’s a must listen for all.

“We’d love to thank all who have listened, sang and danced along with us and to all the Festivals for a great season so far! You can catch the “Idols” nationwide, at their residency in Times Square, NYC and again on the “Cruise of Irish Stars” setting sail in 2025. For more visit diddleyidols.com

Kitty Kelly & Catskill Fever

Kitty KellyKitty Kelly is a second generation Irish American who is noted for her engaging personality on stage and her vocal ability to deliver songs from both Irish and American traditions in a manner that appeals to all ages. The talents of her band members along with Kitty’s high energy and her outstanding ability to connect with her audiences always make for a memorable performance. The Kitty Kelly Band performs throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Ohio at Festivals, Concerts, Dances, Weddings and Pubs.

Tom Comerford

Tom Comerford (man with guitar)Tom Comerford was a founder member of The Whole Shabang, one of the most successful, hard-working and respected Irish bands on the North American scene through the 1990s, and that’s his voice on the original version of Dreamers And Believers – the song was written specifically for him.

Since 2000 he has continued to work as a full-time entertainer, albeit in a solo capacity, and this allows him a certain amount of flexibility. Whether entertaining a group of visitors to Ireland, performing at a corporate event, or flying high at a festival, you’re going to experience Tom in his natural habitat.

Pearl River School of Irish Music

6 kids with mixed instrumentsFrom Pearl River, New York – Over 20 Irish Musicians under 21 years old – 1st TIME ACT!

Pride of Moyvane

Pride of Moyvane ceili bandCheck back soon for more information!

Perfect Strangers

A brother duo from County Down, Ciaran and Ronan Murphy, Perfect Strangers play an upbeat style of Irish, Pop and Country music. For the last 3 years they have been playing in bars all around New York and Boston. Musical influences such as the Wolftones, Dermot Kennedy, Ryan McMullan and Mumford and Sons.

Sheridan Rúitín

Sheridan Rúitín (3 men & a woman, guitars and drums)Sheridan Rúitín is a young Celtic band from the suburbs of New York, rooted in tradition and fueled by innovation. They weave a tapestry of ancient musical heritage with contemporary flair – from lively jigs and reels to poignant ballads and ethereal harmonies. The group invites listeners on a musical journey that transports them to the rolling hills of Ireland, filling the gap between Celtic rock and traditional Irish folk ballads.

Sláinte

Sláinte (4 men and a woman)Sláinte is a 6-piece Irish-American folk rock band, formed in a Boston College dorm room in 2013. They play upbeat arrangements of classic Irish pub songs and American rock & roll, featuring rockin’ electric guitar and sax solos married with traditional fiddle and whistle parts.

Celtic Fare

Celtic Fare is a four-member band playing traditional, contemporary, and original Irish songs and fiddle tunes for pubs and restaurants, cafes, coffeehouses, weddings, private parties or any purpose.

Sean Quinn was raised on the music of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, and his father Tom’s extensive repertoire of Irish and American folk songs. Currently, he plays mandolin & Irish tenor banjo and sings melody & harmony with Celtic Fare, and plays guitar and sings with the bluegrass band Washington County Line.  He also enjoys playing Old Time clawhammer banjo and guitar when the opportunity arises. He lives in Schenectady, NY, with his extremely tolerant and supportive wife, Kristen.

Mike Yates is a retired teacher, educator and hypnotist. Mike’s singing will captivate any audience and leave them wanting more. He loves singing and playing ‘oldies’ from the 50s and 60S. He plays the guitar and keyboard. He resides with his family in Saratoga Springs NY.

Julia Richard wanted to play the violin in 3rd grade, but her public school only had violas left to borrow.  Playing the viola brought many lessons, concerts, and high school competitions, then the Empire State Youth Orchestra and the SUNY Albany Orchestra. The viola then took a backseat for 30 years to getting married, managing a family and working full-time. She visited Ireland many times to immerse herself in the “Irish Trad” culture, most recently attending the Willie Clancy School in County Clare and joining sessions in pubs throughout Ireland.

Rick Hawes has been playing mandolin and guitar as well as  singing for decades. He is very active playing traditional Celtic/Irish tunes in regional sessions as well as playing professionally.

The Coleman Brothers

More information coming soon.

Farrell School of Irish Dance

Michael Farrell, TCRG is celebrating his 50th year instructing all levels and ages of dancers. Farrell School dancers have performed at hundreds of Irish festivals, Off-Broadway, and at MANY private and public events.

Michael’s dancing career began as a highly accomplished champion level dancer as a student of the legendary Cyril McNiff at the McNiff School in NYC. He earned his TCRG certification in 1974, and the Farrell School of Irish Dance was opened in Queens, N Y. Michael’s early students would travel from as far as the Albany area to Queens weekly. In the mid-80s, as Albany & East Durham grew and Michael met his future bride Jeanne, East Durham and Albany became the official locations of the Michael Farrell School of Irish Dance.

The Farrell School is a multigenerational institution. Previous dancers have returned as adults, their children have danced with FSID, and now the grandchildren are part of the student base. Some of FSID’s “mature” dancers have joined as assistant teachers and are also progressing through the certification process.

Michael encourages parents and students to be active in the Irish-American community. Michael, Jeanne, parents and students of FSID can be counted on to work and volunteer, oversee and organize, support and attend Irish & Irish-American cultural clubs, venues, shows, events and activities.

Michael is a member of:
An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha
Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America
Irish Dance Teaching Association of North America, Mid-Atlantic Region, Inc.

Flynn School of Irish Dance

More information coming soon.

An Clar School of Irish Dance

More information coming soon.

Pipe & Drums of Greene County

More information coming soon.

Thank you to our sponsors!
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