Andy Cooney
Andy Cooney, with his outstanding voice and dynamic stage presence has always been a favorite among American and Irish audiences everywhere. 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 stage today. Christened “Irish America’s Favorite Son” by The New York Times, is a title he truly deserves. From his Sell Out performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall to performing in big and small cities across America, Andy Cooney is a house hold name in every Irish American home. Some of Andy’s latest successes have included his 9th sell out appearance at Carnegie Hall last December with The New York Tenors and The Irish Tenors. Andy will be at Carnegie Hall again on December 9, 2019 with the New York Tenors and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. This will be Andy Cooney’s 22th Annual Cruise of Irish Stars. “It all began in 1998. We’ve gone from a few hundred cruisers to as many as 1700! Let’s keep this great Irish Party at sea going for many years to come!”
Ronan Tynan
Ronan Tynan, “Put courage in your dreams, Ronan, and leave the rest to the Man Above, And then you will carve your footprints in the sand.” These words have shaped the remarkable life of the Irish tenor Ronan Tynan – a proud and loving lesson of his mother’s – from his childhood milking cows on a farm in County Kilkenny, Ireland, to an ever-evolving career as a singer, bringing him worldwide fame and admiration that could have existed only in the farthest reaches of those dreams. International audiences met Tynan as a member of The Irish Tenors. Now his singular voice and irresistible appeal have led him to strike out on his own, a decision that seems to have resulted in something far more meaningful than a mere solo career. For more information on Ronan, visit his website.
Tom Comerford
Tom Comerford has been playing music since 1988, and has been fortunate enough to do it as a profession, since 1990. After a vast amount of mileage, countless tours, and three well received CDs with The Whole Shabang, Tom decided that it was time to concentrate on a career closer to home. Tom is still one of the most sought after entertainers in the South East of Ireland, where he works in a solo capacity. Possessing a fine ability to read an audience, Tom’s repertoire is vast and varied, and continually growing. Anyone who has been to a show can recognize that he is equally happy whether singing the old classics or the newer contemporary Irish songs that are destined to become classics. Recording is still a top priority with Tom, having just released “Celtic Connections”; other CDs include “A Tour Of Ireland”, “Face the Music”, “Organized Rhyme”, “Celtic Christmas”, and “Celtic Classics”. The emphasis is on fun, sing-a-long, audience involvement…you don’t need to know a whole bunch of Irish songs to enjoy one of the gigs…Tom Comerford knows more than enough Irish songs for everyone to have a good time. For more information on Tom, visit his website.
Dreams Of Freedom
Dreams Of Freedom are a Ballad Folk and Rebel band who hail from Co Kerry in the southwest of Ireland. The band strive on their commitment to carrying on the proud culture and traditions of Ireland through songs and stories. When you step into a Dreams Of Freedom show you will be met with instant energy and desire, and the true spirit of Ireland’s songs and music. Dreams Of Freedom was formed in 2001 In North County Kerry. Since the band’s formation they have gone on to secure residencies in Killarney and Dingle and have also performed in the USA, Italy, Germany, Holland and the UK. In 2022 Dreams of Freedom had the honor to play for the homecoming of the Victorious Kerry Football team in front of over 30,000 people in Tralee. To date the band has seven albums and there are rumors of an eight one in the pipeline!
The Screaming Orphans
Screaming Orphans are four sisters with the good fortune to have been raised in the magic of Bundoran in County Donegal, Ireland.
There is a great tradition of music to be found in Irish homes especially in the Gaeltacht or Irish-speaking areas which have produced the likes of Clannad, Enya and Mairead, Micheal and Triona Ni Dhomhnaill. Our home was no exception. From we were young, we’ve been singing and playing traditional Irish music but when we hit our teenage years we knew it was time to start our own pop rock band.
The Byrne Brothers
The Byrne Brothers are a multi award winning family band and Irish dancers from Dublin and one of the biggest names in traditional Irish music today. They are Luca 17 on Accordion, Finn 15 on Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar, Dempsey 12 on Bodhran & Whistle and Dad, Tommy on Uilleann Pipes, Bagpipes, Fiddle and Guitar. All County Champions on their instruments and Ulster Champion Irish Dancers. Having moved to Orlando Florida in 2018 they became the youngest ever Cast Members of Walt Disney World while performing at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant.
With 30 million views, half a million shares, over 51,000 followers on social media, front cover of The Irish Music Magazine, toured 44 US States and 2 Caribbean Cruises, The Byrne Brothers are making a great name for themselves in America and all over the world as a festival headlining band!.
The Kilkennys
A traditional Irish folk and ballad band, The Kilkennys are noted for their dynamic arrangements, energetic performances and charismatic rapport with audiences across the globe.
Picking up the mantle left by acts such as The Dubliners and The Clancy Brothers, the group continue to conquer tour circuits in Europe and the U.S.A. In the past years The Kilkennys have shared the stage with renowned Irish artists such as Shane McGowan, Sharron Shannon and Finbar Furey. Continuing their hectic tour schedule 2016 saw the band perform on the main stage at Milwaukee Irish Fest – the largest Irish Festival in the world.
“The Kilkennys are a great band upholding the Irish Folk/Ballad tradition with a contemporary style. Matching the passion & stories with these songs. The Kilkennys live is a fantastic show”
– Barry Stapleton, Milwaukee Irish Fest
The band was established between schoolmates and began touring the length and breadth of Ireland in 1998. In 2008 they decided to name themselves ‘The Kilkennys’ after their beloved home, Kilkenny City. Now based in South East Ireland, the group have evolved through the years and are anchored by founding members Davey Cashin (vocals, mandolin, banjo, guitar, whistles), Tommy Mackey (bass, acoustic guitar, vocals), and Mick Martin (bodhran, uilleann pipes, low whistles, guitar, vocals).
After releasing their live album and DVD ‘Meet The Kilkennys’, Radio and TV appearance soon followed, which included RTE’s Late Late Show, where they preformed their single ‘Shine on Kilkenny’ , an original song released to coincide with Kilkenny winning All Ireland hurling final for a forth year in a row, a sporting celebration also headlined by The Kilkennys. Their much acclaimed studio album ‘The Colour Of Freedom’ (2014) features a mix of original material and well known ballads like ‘Rocky Road to Dublin’ and ‘South Australia’. The strong connection between the band and their music is showcased in this album, with compelling musicianship and pristine vocal harmonies.
Seeking to preserve their status for re-introducing Irish folk and ballads to a young audience while capturing the hearts of the more seasoned traditional music lover, The Kilkennys embark on their new show featuring new material, set to be released later in the year. The bands popularity continues to grow with every energy filled, toe tapping and hand clapping night of entertainment.
Meadhbh Walsh
Meadhbh Walsh is a 23-year-old Irish folk singer from Meelin, County Cork, who began her music career at 14, busking in Killarney and later gigging in pubs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she took to social media to share her music, gaining a large following. She has toured and collaborated with artists like Dan McCabe and The Whistlin’ Donkeys, and recently released her first original song, “21 in 22”. She has performed in front of 20,000 fans at Belfast’s Farmers Bash and released her acclaimed album, On My Own. She has embarked on her first US tour, which she describes as a “dream”. Meadhbh Walsh combines traditional Irish folk music with a contemporary twist. She is known for her soulful voice and powerful stage presence. She plans to continue touring the world with her music.
Auld Brigade
The Auld Brigade are a two piece irish ballad group from County Kildare with members Paddy Mangan Lead Vocals and Mandolin and Fran O Mara also lead vocals, Acoustic guitar and stomp pedal percussion. We tell the history of Ireland through song and story and bring the listener on a journey around Ireland from the present day right back to the times and events of the 1798 Rebellion and the Easter Rising of 1916. Aswell as singing some of our own original material we also sing songs from bands and artists such as The Wolfetones,The Dubliners,The Fureys, Christy Moore, Johnny Mc Evoy, Makem and Clancy, The Dublin City Ramblers plus many more Irish acts. We are resident band in Murray’s Bar O’ Connell Street Dublin four nights a week all year round. Approximately 80% of the audiences we play for weekly are tourists visiting Ireland of which a high percentage are American tourists.
Declan Aungier
Declan Aungier is a piano accordionist and composer from Rathangan, County Kildare, Ireland, known for his instrumental pieces and songs, some of which have been covered by other artists like Glen Flynn, The Duets, and Sean Wilson.
Emerald Fire
Emerald Fire formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 2001 to tour with symphony orchestras in Europe and has recently relocated to the United States. Since the move Emerald Fire has toured across the Northeast. The dancers are trained in all forms of dance and although Celtic is the dominant form they use styles such as Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Hip-Hop.
Emerald Fire is led by Dublin-born Joanna Barry Connelly who began her performing arts training at the age of three. Having studied Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Tap, it was Traditional Irish Dance that became her passion both as a performer and choreographer. Connelly has toured the world with shows in Japan, Austria, Canada and throughout the USA and Ireland, as well as appearing on the “Today Show,” “Fox NY” and in Carnegie Hall, in the USA and RTE’s “The Late Late Show” and “Kenny Live” and The Point, Gaiety and Olympia Theatres in Ireland.
Dee Reilly
Deirdre Reilly beautifully personifies the dramatic influence that Irish music has had on today’s American Country scene. Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts to a mother from County Cork and a father from County Mayo, Ireland, Deirdre began performing at age five. As a teenager she sang with her step-father’s show band and traveled around New England and parts of New York with her own band. Deirdre’s talents were revealed on a national level at age eighteen when she toured the United States with Paddy Noonan’s Irish Variety Show. In 1989 Deirdre auditioned at the Berkeley School Of Music in Boston, Massachusetts for talent scouts from the Opryland Show Park in Nashville, Tennessee. After hearing Deirdre sing, there was little deliberation among the scouts about offering her a contract to perform in their most popular show “COUNTRY MUSIC USA” for the coming summer season. Deirdre eagerly accepted that contract and was well on her way to exploring a world of music that she innately was destined to pursue. That summer led to three consecutive seasons at Opryland Show Park where she quickly began to open many doors in the music industry.
Tommy Mulvihill
The Diddley Idols
The Diddley Idols are the New York based duo with the full band sound. Dave Barckow (Queens, NY) and Louise Barry (Dublin, Ireland). After a chance encounter in 2012, Dave and Louise’s undeniable chemistry made them inseparable and together they formed “The Diddley Idols” in 2013, dropping the “American” from Dave’s previous title. As two lead vocalists, they added Dave’s foot operated drum kit and guitar and Louise’s ukulele and percussion to finish out their sound. A live “tour de force” and “proof that great things do come in small packages!
The Willie Lynch Band
The Willie Lynch Band have been singing traditional Irish music in pubs, VFW halls, festivals, church basements, political fund-raisers, cruises, weddings and wakes famously in New Jersey. Born the last of eight children in the Dublin suburb of Cabra West, Lynch was raised by his mother, Lily MacDonald, who sang “Pal of My Cradle Days” around the house, a tribute to a mother’s sacrifices. Willie now sings it in her memory, and of the 60 or more songs in his repertoire it’s the one that makes him sentimental. “He plays traditional Irish songs with a Vegas kind of flair…he’s one of the backbones of Irish culture.” Guitarist Jim Cox and accordionist Paddy Yorke, have been with him 27 years. All the members of the Lynch band can play several instruments, though they don’t bother much with a fiddle or banjo, preferring the sound of an accordion-mandolin-penny whistle combo. For more information on The Willie Lynch Band, visit their website.
Celtic Rovers
Celtic Rovers. This hot duo, consisting of Martin Doyle and Paul McHugh make a great addition to the entertainment line up. Both natives of Ireland, they have combined their outstanding musical talents to firmly establish themselves on the Irish music scene in and around Chicago.
Paul McHugh was born in Belfast in the North of Ireland. By the age of 12 Paul was singing and playing Guitar. His mother got him his first guitar by collecting coupons from cigarette boxes and Paul was on his way to becoming a renowned entertainer. For over 30 years now, Paul has been entertaining audiences all over the United States with his engaging songs and comedy. Some of the acts that Paul has opened for or played with include Makem and Clancy, The Irish Brigade, The Echo Showband, Martin Hayes and Sean Conway.
Martin, an exceptional musician, hails from Dublin Ireland. He is no stranger to the Irish Cruise and has performed on the music scene in both Ireland and America for many years now. He holds Irish and International awards, including 2 all Ireland championships for his performing ability as master of the accordion, and is regarded as an exceptional keyboard artist.
Bill Lewis
Bill Lewis is an acclaimed pianist/accompanist, arranger and performer and has enjoyed a professional career for forty years. He is the Associate Music Director for the Natchez Opera Festival and Head Vocal Coach for the Central City Opera House Festival. Since 2001, Bill has been appearing with Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan in concert. In addition to his concert appearances, Bill also serves as official pianist for several important vocal competitions. As a teacher, Bill has served on the faculties of both the Boston and New England Conservatories and at Rutgers University. He has taught Master Classes across the United States and has a private studio in New York City.
The Catskills Ceili Band
The Catskills Ceili Band features Traditional Irish Music Hall of Fame members Jimmy Kelly, Sr. who has drummed with the Tulla Ceili Band, along with All-Ireland Accordion Champion John Nolan, and well-known New York Fiddler Bernadette Fee who is a veteran performer and is very active in the traditional music circles.
The Andy Cooney Band
Jimmy Kelly
Jimmy Kelly plays drums and sings lead and background vocals and occasionally guitar in the Andy Cooney Band. Jimmy lives in Albany, NY and is from an extensive line of Irish musicians. Jimmy recently was in Riverdance on Broadway and took third in the All Ireland for ceili drumming.
Mitch Reilly
Mitch Reilly has been a professional musician for 36 years. Mitch was born into an Irish-American family hailing from Co. Cavan, Ireland. He has performed with many international entertainers including Engelbert Humperdinck, Tiffany and Kelley Hunt as well as television performances on MTV, VH1, BBC, Arsenio Hall, Pat Sajak, The Oak Ridge Boys and Disney Channel. Mitch is a sought after studio musician in Los Angeles and Nashville and has recorded three solo records as well as performed on recordings with Chet McCracken (Doobie Brothers) and The Diane Marino Quartet. He has also headed up his own jazz group and Irish group to perform on radio shows and at festivals in Tennessee and Alabama.
John Nolan
John Nolan was born & raised in the Bronx section of New York. His first introduction to Irish music was listening to his father playing a Baldoni D/C# box. His first formal training came from John Glynn and later Martin Mulvihill, but he later learned and continues to learn from all musicians through sessions, recordings and close personal friendships. John started his musical career in the Catskills in the mid 1970’s with the great fiddler Pat Keogh. In August of 1982, he became the first American to win the Senior All-Ireland Champion on both the two-row and three-row button accordions. John has been featured on over a dozen recordings, including two of his on production – “A Taste for the Traditional” and “A Rake of Reels”. Then in 2009, he was inducted into the Comhaltas Hall of Fame. Besides keeping a busy performance schedule, John currently teaches, sells accordions and has developed a tremendous business – “Buttons & Bellows” –tuning and repairing accordions from his home in Rockland Co. where he lives with his wife Mary, daughter Maura & son Brendan.
PJ Cardinal
Musical Director
