Opening Night: A Festival of Riches

Maeve Gilchrist | Nuala Kennedy | The Louise Bichan Band | Oisin Mcauly | Caoimhin O Fearghail | Alan Murray | Sam Reider | The Human Hands

This Friday night concert offers a smorgasbord of delights as we present a diverse and exciting array of artists that represent the breadth and eclecticism that has become a trademark of the Rockport Celtic Festival. Think of it as a festival in itself!

Hailing from Dundalk, Ireland, Nuala Kennedy brings her uniquely soulful vocals and flute playing to our Friday night extravaganza, joined by Alan Murray on Guitar. Hailing from one of the most northernmost points of Scotland, Orkney-born fiddler, Louise Bichan brings an incredibly dynamic transatlantic band of young musicians bringing to life music inspired by her upbringing on the culturally rich Island of Orkney. Virtuosic Donegal fiddler, Oisin Mcauly (Danu) pairs up with TG4 Young Musician of the Year and RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Award’s best instrumentalist winner, Caoimhín Ó Fearghail to create a duo of instrumental music that’s sure to set fire to the stage! And as if that weren’t enough, we have the incredible Americana/jazz/roots music band Sam Reider and the Human Hands bringing the party with their unique blend of fiddle, saxophone, accordion and bass and showcasing the most one of the most exciting sounds on the American New Acoustic Scene right now. And best of all, what happens when all these artists meet?! Don’t miss it!