LATEST NEWS

Dan Mahar is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and guitar instructor living in Sioux Falls, SD. Performing locally, regionally and internationally playing original compositions as well as cover songs.

Barth Harrington, recently retired principal of Scoil na mBuachaillí, steps on to the Clonakilty, International Guitar Festival stage for the first time!

Barth will play original songs with the support of Pat O’Grady on lead guitar, Margaret Deegan on Flute, Martin Kingston on Bass guitar, Deirdre Hayes on vocals, Ann Mc Kiernan on violin and James Carey on drums.

Barth, who has been writing songs since he was a college student, has performed on television and at Cork Opera House.
With the support of the staff and pupils of Scoil na mBuachaillí, two of Barth’s most popular songs were released as Christmas Charity singles. “Home, The Clonakilty Christmas Song” was later performed at Cork Opera House, while “Butterfly Child” was performed live on RTE television.
Both songs were produced with the support of John Fitzgerald and Karen O’Regan.

A regular participant in Shanley’s Thursday night Acoustic Session, Barth has also written four musicals for children: The Great Intergalactic Rescue Mission, Don’t Give Up!, Macbeth and The Brothers Faust,  all of which were performed  to packed audiences over the years.

Shimmer Boy (aka Aaron O’Sullivan) is an indie artist natively from Skibbereen, Ireland, blending emotional honesty with lush, cinematic production. His band brings gritty guitars, lo-fi synths, and ambient textures to tell stories of lost love, sobriety, and starting over. Drawing influence from acts like Snow Patrol, Lizzy McAlpine, and Medium Build, Shimmer Boy creates songs that feel like late-night confessions — intimate, nostalgic, and unafraid to sit with the quiet moments. Whether he’s writing about the aftermath of a breakup or the clarity that comes with sobriety, his sound captures the beauty in vulnerability and the glow that follows personal transformation.

..by day, normal men.
..by night, preachers of the devils music..
..rejoice saturday evening..
..repent sunday morning..

Hailing from Clonakilty, Cork, Andrew Whelton is a folk/indie singer songwriter, releasing his debut single “What If Things Were Different” in September 2024. Andrew’s influences and balance of indie, pop and folk music have contributed to a unique and delicate sound.

Although early in his music career, Andrew has played as a support act for other established artists in iconic venues such as DeBarras Folk Club in Cork and Dolans in Limerick, with names such as Alfie Hudson-Taylor and Mick Flannery. Andrew’s delicate finger picking and interpretation of modern pop through the lens of classic folk is a welcome addition to the burgeoning music industry.

Andrew will be releasing his 4th single “Highway 3” during the festival, 1 year after the success of his debut single which was also released during the festival.

Finally Andrew will be preforming alongside his new band “Intricate”, alongside James Carey and Rian McCarthy, and will be performing some of their unreleased band tracks!

Bill Shanley is an internationally renowned guitarist and producer,
working with esteemed artists such as Ray Davies, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Mary Black and Sinead O’Connor.

Dublin based, Bill is one of Irelands top session and touring guitar players and producers. Bill has established himself internationally too, through touring and contributing to albums with Ray Davies, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Paul Brady, Mary Black, Roy Harper, Alexandra Burke, Sinead O’Connor, Judy Collins, Jackson Browne to name a few.

Being an accompanist has always been of key interest to Bill, enjoying the great scope and limitless backdrop you can create as a player for the artist you’re working with. This skill was commented on in the Financial Times review of a Ray Davies show a the Royal Albert Hall…

“Is there a finer sideman around?
It’s unlikely.” – Financial Times Review, Royal Albert Hall

Solo Work – Midnight Mission
Midnight Mission is the title of Bill Shanley’s second solo album. Original recordings inspired by the excitement and melodies of early electric guitar music. The album draws on Bill’s world class guitar playing and ability to write great, timeless melodies and features special guests Ray Davies and Paul Brady. Midnight Mission is Bill’s second solo release preceded by Fingerpainting.

ADT writes soundscapes wrapped with stories of the heart.

Hugely influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, the West Cork landscape and his family. He holds a minor obsession with lighthouses.

It’s all about creating, every day creating!!!

‘Hailing from Kilkenny, Leitrim and Cork, Smithereens is the fabrication of a long burning desire to share art with dear friends and to make them dance their little arses off. With their unique blend of jazz, funk and grunge, this is an artistic ambition that regularly comes to fruition. Emotive songwriting paired with some not-too-shabby musicianship proves to work wonders both in the studio and at live shows, where the 4 lads seem to enjoy themselves even more than the audience.

Sold out gigs in the Kino (250 cap), as well as support slots for international big hitters such as High Fade and the success of their first Irish tour show that Smithereens have an innate hunger for gigging and making music.  Smithereens have been described as ‘high energy, fun, and one of a kind. Listen to their new single, Ocean Floor, out right now!’

Michael returns with 10 captivating newtracks that mark a clear evolution in his sound and solidify his place as one of the standout songwriting talents of his generation.

Including ‘Evelyn, ’ a breakout track that went viral earlier this year, racking up over 100k streams and inspiring widespread covers online. Thin White Road is rich in storytelling, drawing inspiration from literary voices like Laurie Lee, Hunter S. Thompson, and T.S. Eliot.

While honouring Michael’s classic fingerpicking style and impressive vocal range, this album expands sonically with full band arrangements, lush vocal harmonies, saxophone, and strings.

Think Laura Marling meets Leonard Cohen, a hint of Fleet Foxes, often with the raw energy of Crazy Horse. Michael made a strong debut with
Highfield Suite (2021), a bedroom lockdown project produced by renowned guitarist Bill Shanley that earned critical acclaim.

PRAISE:

“I love it! What an unexpected gem!” – Paul Brady

“I’d place Michael squarely with the likes of Leonard Cohen, John Hiatt and Ron Sexsmith. He’s that good!” – Doug Cox, Vancouver Island Music Festival

“His joy-filled performance was so irresistible, he had everyone singing along with him.” – Lisa Schwartz, Cambridge Folk Festival

“Michael is one of the most accomplished and exciting singer-songwriters that I have worked with in recent years. With the success and reactions he achieved with this album it is obvious that he is an emerging Scottish artist of huge merit.- Bill Shanley (Musician, Ray Davies, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Sinead O’Connor)

Meadhbh Hayes, Limerick’s adopted Cork native, has an enchanting voice and is a skilled guitar and fiddle player.

Hayes’ performances are intimate and soulful, deeply rooted in folk and Irish trad but with a contemporary feel. She grew up listening to and singing a lot of Irish Folk songs as well as American Folk songs. And with Séamus Creagh being her first fiddle teacher, she has a huge grá for Sliabh Luachra tunes.

Meadhbh released her first original single GÁIRE on streaming platforms in October 2024, which was produced by Limerick musician and composer Paddy Mulcahy. The song explores themes of grief and loss, fueled by the passing of Meadhbh’s mother from a terminal illness in 2020. Contrasting these themes are her gratefulness for her life in Limerick City where she currently resides.

Over the past few months, Meadhbh has performed as an opening act for John Blek, John Murry, Rua Rí, Cormac O’Caoimh, The Whistlin’ Donkeys and The Atlanders. She has also performed at festivals like Hidden Hearth and The Cork Folk Fest (“Gals At Play” concert curated by Mary Greene from Greenshine).

Meadhbh recently finished a Master of Arts in Music Composition and Creative Music Practice in the Irish World Academy in UL, in which she received a first class honours result. Meadhbh is in the process of recording her debut EP with Shane Wixted & Paddy Mulcahy (production), Seán O’Meara (guitar, banjo, vocals), Cein Daly (bass), Conor Broderick (keys), Shay Sweeney and Ben Wanders (drums).