Matt Molloy and John Carty with Brian McGrath

We're delighted to finish the festival with one of the most exciting traditional combinations of recent times Matt Molloy and John Carty, accompanied by Brian McGrath. Together they will explore the rich and varied tapestry of the fiddle and flute tradition of North Connaught.

Matt Molloy, over the years has been a member of the Bothy Band, Planxty and the Chieftains. His three solo albums, as well as his trio recording with Tommy Peoples and Paul Brady in the late 70s brought flute playing to a new level.

Born in London but living in Boyle for over 25 years, John Carty has established himself among the elite of Irish traditional musicians. With three solo fiddle albums, two banjo albums, two group albums and a sprinkling of recorded tenor guitar and flute music recordings under his belt. He is also a member of the bands At the Racket and Patrick Street.

They are delighted to be joined by the acclaimed pianist, Brian McGrath. His subtle and imaginative playing is the perfect accompaniment to Matt and John’s unique duet. Brian has toured extensively, playing with all the biggest names in Irish traditional music, including Frankie Gavin, Noel Hill, John Carty, Matt Molloy, and Eleanor Shanley to name a few.

The title of their latest album Out of the Ashes was derived from a saying of the great Johnny Watt Henry who was a night owl who liked to keep musicians late into the night. If they made an attempt to leave he would delay them by declaring ‘What hurry is on ye lads? 
Hold on and I’ll rake up the gríosach here and see if I can’t pull another ‘quare’ tune out of the ashes for ye to be bringing home with ye.' So this album is a salute to the great men and women of the past like Johnny Henry who nurtured the tradition against all the odds.