Kerrie Herrity and John Dwyer

Maugherow native and former Senior All Ireland Banjo Champion, Kerrie Herrity was introduced to music and dancing by her parents at an early age in Luton, UK, where a thriving Irish scene nurtured and encouraged her progression on several instruments.

In more recent years, Kerrie has begun composing some of her own music which are included in the album ‘Box and Banjo’, with box player Kenny Donagher. Her compositions are primarily inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Sligo where she is based.

Kerrie completed her TTCT in 2017 and teaches and adjudicates at both national and international Fleadhanna along with being a regular tutor at Irelands leading Summer Schools. In 2015, Kerrie was instrumental in gathering support to establish the Benbulben Comhaltas Branch which now has an active following and hosts the Knocklane Traditional Festival.

Kerrie has performed with many groups and artists to date including a performance on Broadway with the dance group ‘Shaylyn’, and various Comhaltas Tours in the UK, and United States. Kerrie has recently formed a new Sligo based group, ‘Seoid’, with well-known Trad multi-instrumentalists, Kenny Donagher, John Dwyer & Fiachra Guihen performing a lively and vibrant mix of traditional sets and newly composed music.

John Dwyer comes from Mullaghroe, about 2 miles from Gurteen Village. From a very early age John’s interest in traditional music was influenced, encouraged and nurtured by his late grandmother ‘Babs’ Dwyer. During his informative years he attended music classes for tinwhistle in Gurteen with teachers Paddy Ryan & PJ Hernon. Later he progressed to the concert flute and piano. In his teenage years he was introduced to the late ‘Ted McGowan’ academy…The Róisín Dubh in Gurteen. Here John had the opportunity to meet with, listen to, learn from and play with some of the all time greats…Peter Horan, Tom McGowan, Kevin O’Brien, Andy Davey, to name but a few.

Over the years John has played with and accompanied many trad groups, notably Shebeen & Céilí bands for Fleadhanna. Besides playing music John is actively involved in carrying on the tradition in his tutoring role at the South Sligo Summer School here in Tubbercurry and promoting the best of traditional music, song and dance as events manager at the Coleman Music Centre in Gurteen. John was also heavily involved with Kerrie in the establishment of the Benbulben Comhaltas Branch and their commitment to re-energizing a love of Irish music in North Sligo is much appreciated.