Entertainment

The entertainment for this years festival is truly fantastic. We have brought back some of your favorite performers and taken the opportunity to introduce some great new acts. Here is a taste of what you can expect on June 12th and 13th. You can click on the band link to learn more.

Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones:
Derek Warfield is a singer, songwriter, noted historian and a charismatic founding member of the legendary Wolfe Tones. For 43 years he has been the voice behind the stirring introductions and author of many famous ballads that have endeared him to countless thousands of fans all over the world. Derek is recognized world wide as the “Patriotic Spirit of Irish Music”.

David Kinkaid:
Recognized as both musician and historian, David Kincaid is a man with more than thirty years of professional experience both in recording and performing on stage. His music has been used in several documentary films, including “Fredericksburg,” done in conjunction with the National Park Service, and David was engaged as both a consultant and performer in the recent Hollywood Civil War film release “Gods and Generals,” featuring Robert Duvall as Gen. Robert E. Lee. Early in his career David formed his roots-rock band “The Brandos”, with whom he has made ten albums, two MTV videos, and toured the US, Canada and northern Europe extensively. The Brandos first single and video, called “Gettysburg,”put the band on the road and in the international spotlight, and the band’s subsequent albums and tours have garnered a host of rave reviews across North America and Europe.

Searson:
With talent that remains full of fierce energy, Searson continues to astound their audiences with unguarded sincerity in their vocals, raw fiddling and ferocious stepdancing. Searson has been taking North America and Europe by storm. Growing up in the Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada, Erin, Heather and Colleen Searson began performing for audiences at a young age. Each sister was filled with an appreciation of music at an early age and from this, developed a contemporary style of high energy, roots, celtic, country and pop, a sound they are known and loved for.

The Moonshiners Band:
The Moonshiners are an Irish American band playing the very best of Irish songs and instrumental as well as American Rock and Roll. In 2007, they released their debut CD “The Boys and Girls in Blue”. The Moonshiners Band consists of Tommy O’Callaghan (vocals), Joe O’Brien (keys), Bobby Moller (drums), Patsy Lonzello (bass), Frank Banafato (guitar) and Tommy Burns (accordion and guitar) .

The Canny Brothers Band:
To see the Canny Brothers Band live is to have a transcendent cultural experience. They generate a powerful folky sound, and one up everyone by looking back to another century, bringing a selection of Irish folk ballads and pub songs into the modern era.

The Paddy Noonan Band:
For many years, Paddy Noonan has ranked as America’s best known and best loved player of Irish dance music. From his early days in the great ballrooms and dance halls of New York through to his grand national tours of today, Paddy has made countless numbers of dancers take to floor, and provided a musical soundtrack to Irish American life for generations.

The Snakes:
Hailing from New Jersey, the Snakes happily play their tunes wherever lovers of good music can be found. If whiskey and ale can also be found…so much the better. Combining traditional instruments such as banjo, accordion and mandolin, with a foundation of guitar, bass and drums, the Snakes perform faithful renditions of classic folk songs. In addition, they put their own unique stamp on some driving rock tunes. From the Dubliners to the Pogues…from the Clancy Brothers to the Clash, good times and good tunes are had by all!.