Annmarie Acosta studied traditional Irish dance and music in New York, learning from some of the best teachers, including Jerry Mulvihill, Donny Golden, and the late Maureen Glynn Connolly. In 1998 Annmarie became the senior All-Ireland champion in the accompaniment category at the fleadh cheoil. During this same year, Annmarie achieved her T.C.R.G. and was honored by Irish America … [Read more...] about Annmarie Acosta
2018
Yvonne Casey
Yvonne Casey is one of Co. Clare’s most distinctive fiddle players. She grew up surrounded by the richness of Clare music and plays in a very unique soulful style. Sitting in sessions from a very young age she discovered the joys of Doolin as a teen, where she met and played with legendary musicians such as Kevin Griffin and Eoin O’ Neill. In the 1990’s the band The Ceili Bandits was formed, … [Read more...] about Yvonne Casey
Kathleen Conneely
Born in Bedford, England, to Irish parents from Galway and Longford, Kathleen Conneely began playing Irish music at age twelve, along with her siblings, Bernadette, Michael and Pauline who taught banjo at last year's retreat. She took lessons from Co. Clare musician Brendan Mulkere, a well- regarded teacher in and around London. Her father Michael was a fiddle, accordion, and tin whistle … [Read more...] about Kathleen Conneely
Séamus Connolly
We are proud to welcome back fiddle legend Séamus Connolly, who inaugurated the first annual O’Flaherty Retreat in 2004. This year Séamus returns in a special class to discuss his work on The Séamus Connolly Collection of Irish Music, which reflects more than 14 years of collecting and organizing music that links three generations of musicians and pays tribute to those in previous … [Read more...] about Séamus Connolly
Brian Conway
New York born fiddler Brian Conway is a leading exponent of the tastefully ornamented Sligo fiddling style made famous by the late Michael Coleman. The winner of two All- Ireland junior titles in 1973 and 1974 and the All-Ireland senior championship of 1986, Brian's early studies were with his father Jim of Plumbridge, County Tyrone and with Limerick born fiddler/teacher Martin Mulvihill. However, … [Read more...] about Brian Conway
Máirtín de Cógáin
Máirtín de Cógáin is a singing, dancing, storytelling bodhran player who also is a noted playwright and actor. He performs in his native Ireland and all over the U.S. in between and beyond, too! An infectious personality, Máirtín pleasantly commands the attention of any collection of people, from a concert hall to an intimate porch. Descended from a long line of storytellers and with … [Read more...] about Máirtín de Cógáin
Niamh Fahy
Niamh Fahy’s passion for everything musical has been apparent since a young age. Originally from Ireland and now living in Austin, Texas, Niamh learned her trade from renowned fiddle player Antoin MacGabhann in her native County Meath. Niamh performs and tours with Austin based Irish band The Here & Now alongside Chris Buckley, Rob Forkner and Joseph Carmichael. … [Read more...] about Niamh Fahy
Marla Fibish
One of the prominent voices of the mandolin in Irish music, Marla Fibish brings a deep and distinctive sensibility to the music on one of its lesser-heard instruments. Her playing is featured on her 2020 album The Bright Hollow Fog, the 2017 Noctambule release A Sweetish Tune, and The Morning Star, a duo CD with legendary Irish singer and bouzouki player Jimmy Crowley, as … [Read more...] about Marla Fibish
Rob Forkner
Rob Forkner was introduced to the music at a young age, and unable to find a suitable instrument Rob took directly to making his own. Since then Rob’s musical experience has been a mixture of being both a player of music and a maker of instruments. Rob started building his own drums many years ago and is now one of the most sought after builders of bodhrans in the world, … [Read more...] about Rob Forkner
Aislinn Gagliardi
Aislinn Gagliardi is an Irish harpist and composer based in Chicago who is sought after as a performer, teacher, and recording artist. Drawing from her background in Irish dance and influenced by a diverse musical range from classical to Cape Breton, Aislinn’s distinct style shines through her music in an open and honest way. Known for her syncopated and melodic accompaniment, her compositions and … [Read more...] about Aislinn Gagliardi