Bringing you the finest performers
from around the world
Concerts are held in the spring and fall at the Gaelic-American Club, 74 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT. They are open to the public and doors open a half hour before the show. We now offer advance online ticket purchases for $22.00, or $25.00 cash at the door. Fairfield U and SHU students: $10 (with ID). Children under 10 years are free.
Spring 2026 Concert/Workshop Series
Saturday, July 25, 7:30 pm | Noel Hill | Buy Tickets
Noel Hill is an icon of the Irish concertina. He was born into a musical family in County Clare, joining generations of concertina players. He began playing at the age of eight and has since been credited with single-handedly elevating the instrument’s popularity. In 1978, Noel record one of his most celebrated albums, Noel Hill and Tony Linnane, with Tony Linnane (fiddle), Matt Molloy (flute), Alec Finn (bouzouki and mando-cello), and Micheal O’Domhnaill (harmonium). In addition to being a master of the concertina, Noel is one of Ireland’s most highly respected music teachers, and provides audiences with awe-inspiring performances.
“Noel Hill is one of those standard-setting voices in Irish music today. Few musicians in any field or in any generation achieve a position where both audiences and experts agree on their preeminence and mastery of an instrument. His virtuosity has firmly established him as the defining Irish concertina player of our time.” — PJ Curtis, Notes From the Heart
-
Noel has been a professional musician for the past 49 years. In County Clare the concertina tradition is so strong the instruments were nicknamed “the Clareman’s Trumpet” and legend has it there was once a concertina in every second house. It was into one of these households that Noel and his seven siblings were born. His parents, grandparents, and grand aunts were all concertina players. He was particularly influenced by his uncle Padraig A Chnoic (Paddy Hill), who also played the concertina. Noel lived in a house that was the last in the area to hold the traditional house dances, where musicians were always welcomed, particularly toward the end of the year when farm work was done. It was at these events Noel learned his early music and was lucky to have heard endless hours of Willie Clancy, Paddy Canny, Peter O’Loughlin, and Paddy Murphy, and much of the music in his repertoire today comes from the music learned as a child from these great players.
Noel has taken the humble concertina from the house dances of County Clare to the big stages throughout the world. He has single handedly elevated the instrument’s popularity, which now has enjoyed tremendous development for the past four decades. This popularity is not only because of Noel’s awe-inspiring performances, along with being a highly respected authority on Ireland’s traditional music, but also because of his many years as a committed teacher.
In 1975, Noel Hill teamed with Tony Linnane, Tony Callanan, and Kieran Hanrahan to form the group “Inchiquin. and recorded one album. Hanrahan and Callanan subsequently left to form Stockton’s Wing and Noel went on to record one of his most celebrated albums, Noel Hill and Tony Linnane (1978) with Tony Linnane (fiddle), Matt Molloy (flute), Alec Finn (bouzouki and mando-cello), and Micheal O’Domhnaill (harmonium). Inchiquin continued for a time and toured Ireland and Germany with Noel, Tony, and Barry Moore (now Luka Bloom).
Recent Events
Saturday, April 18 — Seán Gavin and Caoimhín Ó Fearghail
-
Seán Gavin is one of the most highly regarded Irish musicians of his generation. Master uilleann piper and flute player, he is the first and only musician born outside Ireland to win the prestigious Bonn Óir Seán Ó Riada Competition gold medal. His latest recording, The Boys of 25, with accordion maestro Colm Gannon “is a superb bit of pure drop music that stands tall on the strength of Gavin’s and Gannon’s musicianship.” Caoimhín Ó Fearghail (Kwee-veen) comes from An Rinn in the Waterford Gaeltacht. He received the TG4 Young Musician of the Year award and was chosen as Best Folk Instrumentalist at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards. His music is greatly influenced by that region as well as diverse players throughout Ireland. With a start on the tin whistle at the age of eight, he has since mastered uilleann pipes, flute, guitar, and bouzouki, as well as being an accomplished singer.
Seán has toured with the groups Bua and Téada, both of which have gleaned top praise from Irish music critics. He was the musical director of the PBS program “I Am Ireland,” and for the long-running “Atlantic Steps.” Sean has lectured on traditional music at the University of Chicago, St. Andrew’s in Scotland, and many other locations. He is now back in his native Detroit where he continues to play, teach, and promote traditional Irish music. Sean is involved in latest project, the Irish Music Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in September of 2022 in southeast Michigan that encourages people of all ages to explore the ancestral music and song of Ireland. IMI connects a broad network of players, learners, and enthusiasts worldwide.
A frequent teacher and performer, Caoimhín has taught pipes and performed at many piping events, including Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, the William Kennedy Piping Festival in County Armagh, and the Northeast Tionól in the United States. He has many albums to his credit, and has toured worldwide with Caladh Nua, Danú, and others.
Saturday, March 7 — Mary Courtney, Patrick Madden, Jack Ryan, Annmarie Acosta
-
Mary Courtney grew up in a musical family in the parish of Castlegregory, near the sea in County Kerry, a likely beginning for this remarkable singer and guitarist. Whether accompanying herself, or holding the rhythm line with her trad band, Morning Star, she is a consummate musician. Her music is an engaging collaboration of traditional Irish music and a progressive social conscience born of a political education in the United States. Her bodhrán (Irish hand-held drum) playing offers another dimension to her exceptional performance. Courtney has used her music to spread Irish culture and to educate her audience about the struggles of the Irish people. From rock ‘n’ roll to the ethereal strains of some ancient Celtic bard, Mary can sing anything, and sing it unforgettably.
Reviews: What a singer she is! Her powerful vocals are direct, allowing the beauty of the melodies and the emotion of the lyrics to come through; however her voice is also distinctive, making her stand out both from a sincerity point of view as well as a technical one. Frankly, she has a voice that is difficult to ignore. . . I’d almost forgotten what a dynamic instrument banjo is. Ryan brings that special melodic drive I’ve not heard for quite a while, as he pushes the tunes along with gusto, enthusiasm, and a lot of talent. As you listen, it’s no wonder Redmond has 4 All-Ireland titles under his belt. All this is built on Courtney’s excellent guitar accompaniment . . . Sometimes, I’m amazed at how a small group such as this can have such a ‘big’ sound, one that is so involving and welcoming. Mary Courtney and Morning Star has risen to the top of my list of must-see musicians. When you listen to Live from the 33rd County you’ll understand why. Jamie O’Brien — Putting on Airs, Irish Edition
Mary also was part of the cast and music composer of the John Kearns play BOANNE and the Well of Wisdom was awarded best play at the 2024 NYC Origin Theatre Festival. The cast had a very successful mini tour of Ireland in 2024 as well as being Artists in Residence at the renowned St. John’s Theatre for Arts in Listowel Co. Kerry.
Patrick Madden is a first-generation Irish-American, born and raised in Queens, NY. His parents were from County Meath and County Tipperary. He was introduced to traditional irish music from dancing and went on to learn the fiddle from his first traditional music teacher, Maureen Glynn. In his youth he competed in the Fleadh Cheoil in solo, duets, and with the Joe Cooley Ceili band. He won both in his solo and band competitions qualifying for the Irish Fleadh Cheoil and winning with the band in Ireland. The Joe Cooley Ceili band recorded an album upon our return to the U.S.A and played several festivals and concerts. He has been playing with Mary Courtney and Morningstar for over a decade.
Jack Ryan was born in the Bronx and began playing the whistle at age eight. He initially learned from his father, who taught himself the instrument to pass it along to his children. Jack went on to study Irish music under Dawn Doherty, who was born in Co. Mayo and runs the Dawn Doherty Academy of Irish Music, based in Yonkers. Jack has competed multiple times at the Fleadh Cheoil in Ireland. He has performed in pubs and venues throughout New York City, Ireland and Nashville. He also plays the flute and is a member of the Manhattan University Pipes and Drums band.
Annmarie Acosta graduated with a masters degree in Irish traditional music from the University of Limerick, where she studied piano, piano accordion, harp, concertina, and fiddle. Returning to New York she taught as an adjunct professor at Fordham University, offering a course on traditional Irish music and dance. Annmarie is presently the director of the Acosta School of Irish Music and Dance, now celebrating its 20th year.
Saturday, June 13 — Cathal Hayden, Dónal Murphy, Alan Murray
-
After over 40 years of playing, Cathal has certainly accomplished his desire. His musical talent is famous, not only in his home village, but throughout Ireland and the entire world.
Donal performs with Sliabh Notes alongside Matt Cranitch (fiddle) and Tommy O’Sullivan (guitar and vocals). They recorded three albums, Sliabh Notes, Along Blackwaters Banks and Gleanntan . He performed with Michael Flatley and his show in Feet of Flames in 1998 to an open-air audience in Hyde Park London. He has also performed with Riverdance at a concert at Dublin Castle.
Donal released his first solo album Happy Hour in 2009 to critical acclaim. He has toured the world with his various groups and continues to excite audiences worldwide with his powerhouse polkas and slides. He released his second solo album Tailored in May 2022 that features some of his own compositions. The album also features some of his family (Melanie on fiddle and Eoin on guitar and bass) as well as tasteful accompaniment from the legendary Steve Cooney.
Alan Murray is a celebrated guitarist, bouzouki player, and singer from Glasgow, Scotland, known for his powerful accompaniment style and deep roots in traditional Celtic music.
He began his musical journey playing the whistle before transitioning to guitar and bouzouki, quickly becoming immersed in Scotland’s rich folk traditions. After relocating to the United States, Alan established himself as one of the most sought-after accompanists and educators in the traditional music world.
With a dynamic blend of rhythm, harmony, and sensitivity to melody, Alan has toured and recorded extensively worldwide. His impressive list of collaborators includes iconic artists and groups such as Solas, Lúnasa, Eileen Ivers, Battlefield Band, We Banjo 3, and FourWinds, among many others. His ability to enhance and support traditional tunes with depth and creativity has earned him widespread respect on stages and in studios worldwide.
In addition to performance, Alan is a passionate educator, sharing his knowledge of traditional accompaniment and vocal interpretation with students of all levels.
Saturday, May 16 — Free Workshop with Michelle Bergin — Sponsored by the Gerry Herman Memorial Fund
-
As an active accompanist in the Irish music community, Michelle has trained accompanists who have since placed in the All Ireland level and who accompany within the Irish music community. She has accompanied on piano for Irish dance competitions for over 20 years and has taught accompaniment at Irish music camps throughout the United States. Michelle is a TCRG certified Irish dance instructor (see footnote) and has toured as a fiddler with Michael Flately’s Lord of the Dance. She currently co-hosts two traditional music sessions in the Bronx at An Beal Bocht and The Rambling House. This summer Michelle will serve as co-director of the children’s program at the East Durham Irish Arts Week in the New York Catskills.
Note: TCRG stands for Teagascóir Choimisiúin le Rincí Gaelacha, which translates from Irish to "Commissioned Irish Dance Teacher." It is a prestigious, internationally recognized certification awarded by An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) in Dublin, Ireland, certifying that an individual is qualified to teach Irish solo and ceili dancing.
-
Our workshop series is generously sponsored by the family and friends of our fellow musician Gerry Herman, who loved to play his fiddle with The Shamrogues. He was dedicated to lifelong learning and we have been honored to celebrate his commitment to the music with these exceptional workshops.
The Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society and Gaelic-American Club take pride in bringing renowned musicians from across the United States, Ireland, and around the world to perform for audiences in our area. Your donation supports traditional Irish music and our ongoing concert series.
