Declan Folan, Brian McGrath and Michael Holmes

From Bunninadden, Co. Sligo, Declan Folan is a former All-Ireland champion, and can be heard playing regularly in sessions in Tubbercurry, Gurteen and Ballymote and further afield. A member of the Dartry Céilí Band, Declan teaches fiddle classes throughout the year and is a highly respected teacher and musician. Having learned much of his music from the late Fred Finn, he is very much rooted in the South Sligo fiddle style of playing.

Brian McGrath comes from Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh, an area steeped in traditional music. Brian’s first professional work was with Dervish. He then joined Four Men And A Dog and played on the award-winning album Barking Mad. He has played with many different groups over the years including with; the Sean Keane Band, De Dannan, At The Racket, to name just a few and is much sought after as a session musician on piano, banjo and mandolin. He has toured extensively, playing with all the biggest names in Irish traditional music, including Frankie Gavin, Noel Hill, John Carty, Matt Molloy, Paul Brock, Charlie Lennon, Joe Burke, Sean Maguire, Brian Rooney, Cathal Hayden, Joe Derrane, Arty McGlynn, Alec Finn, Alan Kelly, Dolores Keane, Maura O’Connell, Tommy Fleming, Steve Cooney and Eleanor Shanley, as well as doing extensive TV and media work.

Renowned for his work with the well-known traditional Irish music band, Dervish, bouzouki and mandolin player, Michael Holmes, has toured the world with his music for many years. He is lauded for the watertight accompaniment he has developed with Dervish band member Brian McDonagh over the years.