Gaelic Park is proud to assemble such a wonderful list of featured entertainers. Below, you will find short introductions, links, & photos for many of these performers.
You can find complete scheduling on the 2011 Irish Fest Schedule.
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American English - are hailed as the best Beatles tribute band ever. This band is dedicated to making the concert experience authentic and does so by recreating a Beatles concert performance complete with the hair, accents, costumes and even the rhythmic head-bop. This show is so great, it is promoted by Sam Leach, the original Beatles promoter. American English has shared the stage with The Grassroots, The Neville Brothers, Three Dog Night, The Ides of March, Eric Burdon, The Buckinghams, The Doobie Brothers, Badfinger and many others. American English has also been featured on WGN, CBS, FOX, 190 North, The Travel Channel, BBC, ABC and NBC. American English was also awarded the 2005 Suburban NiteLife 10th Annual “Best of the Burbs Award”. |
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Da Danann - Together again! Formed in Galway, one of the most influential bands in traditional Irish music before separating in 2003. They have recorded 14 albums with many reaching gold and platinum sales. |
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Declan Nerney & His Band - Co. Longford Having recorded 8 top-selling albums to date, and established some great self-penned songs, together with song-writing maestro Henry McMahon, songs like Marquee in Drumlish, Anna from Fermanagh, Up in the Mornin', Christmas Hooley, Barry & Dunne, Three Way Love Affair, and many great cover versions like Stop the World and Let Me Off, Take this Job, Walkin' on New Grass. These powerful productions got Nerney on stages right around the world, places that he never dreamt of on that boreen all those years ago.
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Fenians - are an electrifying Irish musical quintet based out of Orange County, CA. The lads offer a mix of their original creations, and contemporary and traditional songs. Their foundation is decidedly Celtic, but there is no mistaking the complimentary influences of Rock, Folk, Bluegrass, Jazz, and World music.
The Fenians have garnered an impressive list of accomplishments and honors, headlining theaters and festivals across the U.S. and Ireland, including: the House of Blues (Hollywood), The Galaxy, and the Coach House (Orange County), The Milwaukee Irish Fest, Gaelic Park Irish Fest, the Stonehill Irish Festival in Boston, and The Quays in Galway, one of Ireland's premiere live music venues, to name but a few. They were also inducted into the Guinness Wall of Fame.
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Gaelic Storm - Gaelic Storm is back in full-force with their newest album, ‘Cabbage.’ The record held the #1 position on the Billboard World Music Album Chart for 3 consecutive weeks in 2010. ‘Cabbage’ is the follow up to their 2008 independent release, “What’s The Rumpus?” which debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Chart. As many hundreds of thousands of record buyers and live music lovers know, Gaelic Storm is “a whirlwind ruckus” (Village Voice) that tours over two hundred days per year and play high-energy, foot-stomping, feel-good music. ‘Cabbage’ is further testament to the bands contagious energy, combining influences from rock, bluegrass, Jamaican, African and Middle Eastern music that may surprise those expecting purely traditional Celtic music. The quintet’s new release once again showcases Gaelic Storm’s signature acoustic sound with a brand new batch of crafted story-songs and driving instrumentals. |
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Girsa - They have all known each other since we were very young, growing up participating in Irish music and dance in our community of Pearl River, New York.
Most of them come from musical families, with parents having learned Irish traditional music from such greats as Martin Mulvihill, Maureen Glynn Connelly, and Pete Kelly. Some of their parents and their lifelong friends carry on this great tradition by teaching music in the community.
They loved playing together so much that they started our own band just over six years ago and called it Girsa, which means “young girls” in Gaelic. We’ve been having tons of fun ever since! |
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Infinity - Infinity continues to break attendance records at Clubs and Festivals across Chicago and the Midwest. The thing that sets this band apart is the unbelievable Vocals. It’s the real thing, no sampling here! Infinity has a high energy performance and a Platinum Songlist. But more importantly, they maintain the intangible ability to include the audience and make them feel as part of the show. Infinity enjoys thousands of fans young and young at heart, which sing along and become the chorus to their music. This is the difference between performers and genuine entertainers. Perhaps this is the reason for the perpetual following and return to area Festivals and Clubs across Chicagoland year after year.
Infinity is influenced by many bands including Journey, Bon Jovi, Boston, Styx, REO, Van Halen, and Foreigner. But if you listen closely you will here echoes of Chicago in Vince's playing, Led Zeppelin in Kevin's voice, Queensryche in Lenny's Guitar playing, Dream Theater in Dennis's Keys, Rush in Jim's Bass, and Steve Perry in Bob's Voice.
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Kathleen Keane - Once in a while, America produces an exceptional artist with tremendous talent and versatility. Such an artist is KATHLEEN KEANE. A vibrant force in traditional Irish music and beyond, she can ignite an audience with her potent combination of extraordinary music and classic beauty. |
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The Larkin & Moran Brothers The Celtic Rat Pack's influences range from Shane MacGowan to the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem; the Dubliners to the Saw Doctors. Throw in the Beatles and Johnny Cash just to make it interestng. Click for song samples or here for their myspace page. |
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Leahy - A family. A musical group of brothers and sisters, a sound, a style of music, a way of life, a volcanic explosion of talent and energy, intense emotion, and feral passion.
Leahy is a Canadian powerhouse of eight musical brothers and sisters who have been playing together their entire lives. The band’s three acclaimed CDs—Leahy, Lakefield, and In All Things—have world-wide sales of over half a million copies.
Leahy brings their whole being to each and every performance. Their life story reads like a Hollywood movie; a large family raised without a television on a farm in the small town of Lakefield, Ontario, Canada. In fact, their life story was so compelling that it became the subject of an Oscar winning documentary—The Leahys: Music Most of All. The film foretold the success that would follow.
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Liz Carroll - Liz Carroll has had a remarkable century. Liz the first American-born artist nominated for playing Irish music – ever! On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, Liz travelled to Washington, D.C., to play for fellow Chicagoan, President Obama, at the annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheon. In 2005, she became a member of String Sisters, a sextet of fiddlers from America, Ireland, the Shetland Islands and Norway. Their 2009 Live album was shortlisted for a Grammy.
Previous to that were two solo albums, Lake Effect and Lost in the Loop, which used Liz’s hometown of Chicago as the influence for an extraordinary outpouring of new compositions. The 2000 Lost in the Loop led the Irish Echo to proclaim her the Traditional Musician of the Year.
All that has come this century, but in the last came a National Heritage Award Fellowship in 1994, which honored Liz as a "Master Traditional Artist who has contributed to the shaping of our artistic traditions and to preserving the cultural diversity of the United States." A mouthful, to be sure, but such national recognition stood on her winning the All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Champion in 1975 to Mayor Daley proclaiming September 18, 1999 as “Liz Carroll Day” in Chicago.
The coming decade looks to be as active as the last. 2010 brings the publication of Liz’s first book of compositions, “Collected.” It’s a compilation of Liz’s musical past, as well as a promise for the future. |
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Red Rebel Country - What began as an excuse for a handful of Southside musician buddies to get together and play some Irish music that defined their musical upbringing, has quickly turned into a ten-person tour de force paying tribute to their Irish music heritage and hard rock roots.
Influenced by the pioneers of the Irish rock sound, Dropkick Murphy’s and Flogging Molly, Red Rebel County continues to cover the music of their heroes along with the traditional Irish bar-room favorites, while forging that blue collar sound that has already become a Chicago classic. Since the band's inception in 2009, the band has sold out South Side venues, been asked to play in front of almost a thousand people for the Chicago Police Department Pipes and Drums annual benefit, and they've amassed a legion of rabid fans that continues to grow rapidly with every show!
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Ronan Tynan - Co. Kilkenny. Ronan Tynan is truly a modern day “Renaissance Man.” Faced with numerous challenges throughout his well documented life, he has persevered with enormous passion and determination. He attributes his success to his faith and the knowledge that the Man Above guides him through every door he opens. Introduced to international audiences as a member of the Irish Tenors, Tynan quickly became known for his unique voice and irresistible appeal. Following his mother’s advice to always follow your dreams, Tynan decided to launch a solo career, and has achieved the fame and adoration that could have existed only in the farthest reaches of his dreams.
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Sandcarvers - This is some good Celtic rock. The Sandcarvers have blended well the two genres of music, and have even added a little whisper of folk sound--but not so much that it is a distraction from the sound. Make no mistake, these guys rock. Take a clue from the CD title however (Craic—kind of a “good time” reference in the Irish culture—not a street drug!) they have fun doing it too! There is the lightness of heart one would expect to hear from a Celtic group, along with the good-time jam session of a popular rock band.
Enjoying a good measure of success as a reward for their talent, this band has had an opening spot for some big names, including Black ‘47, BROTHER and The Young Dubliners. While the band knows how to rock the house in their fun, blended style, they also can be soft and melodic, as in “Carrickfergus” which, with its rich vocals, really speaks to one’s heart. - “Dealin’ Craic” by The Sandcarvers. Catherine L. Tully, Celtic MP3s Music Magazine
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7th Heaven - has set attendance records at major night clubs across the tri-state region. Record sales nearing 40,000 units sold and digital offerings are available on iTUNES, Amazon, and such. This is the premier Chicago festival act according to prominent talent buyers in Illinois. The critically acclaimed website "Barstar" refers to 7th Heaven as one of the 3 best bands in Chicago.
7th Heaven performed the National Anthem at the United Center before the Bulls/Lakers game which was televised worldwide. This is the band your neighbors will be buzzing about for the rest of the summer. While the festivals only last a short time, for 7th Heaven's fans, old and new a like, they will remember the experience of seeing and hearing them now because, as their song says - THIS SUMMER'S GONNA LAST FOREVER!
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Tommy Goodwin & Sharon - Sharon O'Meara is a native of County Monaghan. She comes from a musical family, her father Francis McKenna was All Ireland Violin champion and her mother, brothers and sisters sang and played various instruments. Tommy Goodwin is one of the most well-known Accordion players in the Tri-State area. Originally from County Kerry, Tommy's style of button accordion can be heard at the many festivals and Irish bars throughout New York. |
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Tartan Terrors - Taking the Celtic scene by storm, the Tartan Terrors combine music and comedy with championship dancing, world-class bagpipping and driving drums to deliver an energetic and all-around unforgettable performance. |
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As well as a number of great groups and performers, such as: Bernie Glim & Country Roads,
Joe Cullen & Kathleen Keane, The Irish Musicians, Mulligan Stew,
Sean & Charlie, Patrick Guinee, Ball Tinne, and The Ray Gavin Band,
Joe McShane, Character Fleadh,O'Leary's Lantern,
Celic Sounds, Pat Finnegan & Billy O'Donoghue,
Pipes & Drums of the Emerald Society, The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band,
Pat Daly & The Sounds of Green, Solid-Aire, Week Back, Gerry Haughey & Sean O'Donnell,
Murphy Roche Irish Music Club, The Girls of Murphy Roche, , ,
The Irish Music School of Chicago and many more!
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** Please Note: Schedule Subject To Change **
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