Billy Jackson

Billy Jackson was a founding member of the influential folk group Ossian in 1976, a band whose outstanding recordings remain a benchmark for Scottish music, and a member of the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. Acclaimed for his musicality on the Celtic harp, he's also a renowned composer whose work is inspired by the history and landscape of Scotland. In 1999, his song “Land of Light” was selected by The Glasgow Herald as the winner of its year-long “Song For Scotland” competition—coinciding with the restoration of the Scottish Parliament—to select a “new anthem for a new era in Scotland.”

Gráinne Hambly

Gráinne Hambly, from County Mayo, Ireland, is an internationally recognized Irish harpist, celebrated for her live performances and recordings. In great demand as both a performer and teacher, she tours Europe and North America extensively. A qualified teacher, Gráinne holds the T.T.C.T. certificate for teaching traditional Irish music and a Graduate Diploma in Education (Music) from the University of Limerick. She is a sought-after instructor at summer schools and festivals worldwide, known for her ability to showcase the full range of the harp through both performance and education.

Brian Holleran

Brian Holleran, from Jersey City, New Jersey, developed an interest in traditional Irish music at age 12, influenced by a session recording and his father's vinyl collection. He received tin whistle lessons from Maura Vesey and flute instruction from Mike Rafferty, who became his biggest influence. Brian was also shaped by musicians like Willie Kelly, Patrick Ourceau, and Jack Coen, and inspired by recordings of Joe Cooley, Bobby Casey, and Matt Molloy. He has taught at events like the Chris Langan weekend in Toronto and Irish Week at the Augusta Heritage Center in West Virginia.

Patrick Ourceau

Patrick Ourceau is a renowned French-born traditional Irish fiddle player, now based in Toronto, Canada. With over three decades of experience, he has toured Europe and North America, performing in various groups, including Chulrua and with concertina player Gearóid Ó’hAllmhuráin. A respected teacher, Patrick has taught at numerous festivals and music schools worldwide. Since moving to Toronto in 2005, he has helped promote Irish music, notably through a popular weekly session at Noonan’s Pub. His discography includes collaborations with notable musicians and appearances on celebrated Irish music albums and TV compilations.        

        Liz Hanley

Liz Hanley is a Brooklyn-based singer and fiddle player. She learned traditional tunes from her father, fiddle player Andy Hanley, and from gatherings in the homes of her grandparents, as well as Brian and Lindsay O’Donovan. She studied at NYU with Dr. Mick Moloney and was a member of Moloney’s Green Fields of America, as well as the progressive folk-rock ensemble Frogbelly and Symphony. Her debut album The Ecstasy of St. Cecilia was hailed “a gentle work of beauty” by FolkWorld. Paint this Life is her latest release. Both records feature longtime collaborators Jefferson Hamer and Eamon O’Leary of The Murphy Beds.

Eamon O'Leary

Originally from Dublin, Eamon has lived in New York City for the last twenty years. In addition to his performance schedule, Eamon has taught at numerous music programs including the Augusta Heritage Center, the Catskills Irish Arts Week, and many years at the Gathering. In 2004, he and Patrick Ourceau released a live recording, Live at Mona’s, documenting their many years hosting a session on New York’s Lower East Side. His 2012 recording of traditional songs with Jefferson Hamer, The Murphy Beds, was described by the Huffington Post as “ten beautiful, crystalline songs.

Laura Feddersen

Laura grew up in a musical family in Bloomington, Indiana, where she used to sleep in her father’s bass case at dances. She has since traveled far and wide with her unique take on Irish-American traditional fiddling, performing and teaching at gatherings such as the O’Flaherty Retreat, the Lotus World Music Festival, and the Norse Gaels Folk Fest. She now resides in Boston, where she has recorded and performed with the projects Ship in the Clouds, Wooden Nickels, and the Virtual Behan Sessions. Laura has also released t

Caoimhín Ó Fearghail

Caoimhín Ó Fearghail is a multi-instrumentalist who comes from An Rinn in the Waterford Gaeltacht. A piper, flute player, whistle player, and accompanist, he is influenced by the many great traditional musicians and singers from his home area. His latest album Uilleann Piping from County Waterford is part of Na Píobairí Uilleann's Ace & Deuce of Piping series. He recorded an album with fiddler Paddy Tutty in 2018 called Flute & Fiddle. A frequent teacher and performer, he’s toured with groups such as Caladh Nua and Danú all over Ireland, the U.S., the UK, Europe, Newfoundland, and New Zealand.

Cathy Jordan

Born in County Roscommon, Ireland, Cathy Jordan has been a professional singer with the traditional group “Dervish” for nearly 30 years. She is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, teacher, and presenter. With 16 albums under her belt, Cathy has led Dervish as front woman through thousands of concerts in hundreds of cities in nearly 40 countries. Among the most notable performances were The Great Wall of China and the biggest rock music festival in the world, Rock in Rio, to over 250,000 people. Cathy is a legend of Irish and folk music and we're delighted to have her back at the Swannanoa Gathering!