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Sam Clague (guitar), Ultan Lavery (organ) and Jim Christy (drums) explore some classic organ trio repertoire and a selection of jazz, blues and boogaloo tunes from a funkier time.

Chris, a Clonakilty native who has emigrated to the UK, has been floating around the music scene for 18 years, gracing many pubs in Clonakilty from DeBarras to Faheys and everywhere in between.

Inspired by folk styles, Chris plays a mix of acoustic style covers and originals.

On his return to the Clonakilty stage after a long hiatus, he is extremely excited to play an acoustic set at the Clonakilty Community Resource Centre.

THE MONKS

Formed somewhat accidentally in Monk’s Lane, Timoleague in 2014 from the embers of some of West Cork’s much loved bands, this Clonakilty foursome have put down a busy few years, gaining momentum and with it an ever-growing cult-like following. While members have come and gone over the years, the current lineup of Ciarán Calnan, Timmie O’Brien, Ronan Archbold and Jack Archbold have been ever-present since 2021, performing countless shows both at home and abroad. With almost 100 years of gigging experience between them, they know how to put on an unforgettable show which guarantees to leave you craving more. Above all, it’s about having the craic and making sure the crowd do too, which is something The Monks deliver in abundance. Expect a rocking mix of songs from the likes of Thin Lizzy, Foo Fighters, The Killers, Fontaines DC, QOTSA, Radiohead, Paolo Nutini, Milky Chance, The Waterboys, The Beatles, The Cranberries and some original twists on many more traditional Irish and contemporary rock, pop and folk tunes. If their CIGF 2023 performance is anything to go by, this is one not to be missed, so strap in and enjoy the ride!

Multi-instrumentalist Rawney (Ciarán Calnan) is an independent artist hailing
from Clonakilty in West Cork. His blend of rock, indie, folk and pop has drawn
comparisons to The Frames, Mic Christopher, Incubus, Foo Fighters and
Stereophonics, among others.

Renowned for his powerful vocals and energetic live performances, he has
honed his craft over the past decade by performing hundreds of gigs in Ireland,
UK, Australia, Canada, USA, Vietnam and Spain.
Music is in the blood. Son of the late Billy, drummer of popular showband The
Calnan Brothers, it’s no surprise that Rawney has continued that legacy.
Having played in various bands from the age of 12, most notably Setmaker, he
has been focusing on solo endeavours of late and his debut EP, Say It Loud, was
released in July ‘22.
The past two years has seen Rawney release his debut EP ‘Say It Loud’ and tour
the country, performing in top venues including DeBarra’s Clonakilty, Little
Whelan’s Dublin, Coughlan’s and Winthrop Avenue in Cork, Connolly’s of Leap,
Levis’ Ballydehob, Monroe’s Galway, Spirit Store Dundalk and The Green Room
in Dingle. There have also been support slots with the likes of Mick Flannery,
Susan O’Neill and Pauline Scanlon amongst others.
His songs have been been played on radio stations nationwide, including 2FM,
Ireland’s Classic Hits, Cork’s RedFM, Cork’s 96 FM, KCLR FM, WLR FM, LCR FM,
along with other local community and online stations.
His debut single Say It Loud won The Cork Playlist Song of the Month for June
‘22.

In February ‘23, as part of Hotpress Irish Music Month, Rawney was announced
as a finalist with Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio in the ‘A New Local Hero’
competition, which gained national coverage.
Rawney is currently in the process of recording, with new releases and gigs
planned for the coming months, including a slot at Clonakilty International
Guitar Festival which runs from 19-23 September.
Check out @rawneymusic on the usual social media platforms to stay up to
date.

Gamelan is the rich and ancient musical traditional of Indonesia using bronze gongs, xylophones, metallophones and other tuned percussion to create a shimmering texture and powerful resonance. It is a mesmerising sonic experience and west Cork is lucky to house the only Irish gamelan outside of a university city. These unique (no two sets are alike) hand-forged instruments are equally impressive visually, as they are intricately carved and brightly coloured. The listener will hear repertoire from the court tradition of the city of Surakarta, central Java, mixed with arrangements of Irish music, and new compositions.
For this concert at CIGF, musical director Kevin McNally will feature on a specially-designed fretless guitar in order to better match the unique tuning of the gamelan

Gamelan Spréacha Geala (Bright Sparks Gamelan) are a non-professional, community music group based in Skibbereen, new members are always welcome. It is part of the Wellbeing Network and supported by Cork ETB, Music Alive, Skibbereen Family Resource Centre and Cork Mental Health Services.

REVERB – A free outdoor performance in Spillers Lane on Sat 23rd

hear some of our local musicians who have won prizes at the recent Fleadh Ceoil.

Having spent the last 20 years living and performing in San Francisco and New Orleans, Jenny Mac returned to her native Clonakilty in 2023 and is a prominent part of the local music scene.

An impressive, versatile and extremely talented vocalist, Jenny honed her craft under the watchful eyes of Mossie Shanley, Noel Redding & Carole Appleby performing regularly in Shanleys and De Barras for 15 years before moving stateside. Jenny has guested with artists such as Hot House Flowers, Christy Dignam, Don Baker and Donovan and her repertoire is a nostalgic collection of jazz n’ blues, country rock and 60s and 70s classics.  Jenny and her band perform in Shanleys bar at 11pm on Friday, 22^nd of September: Be prepared for a proper “Mac attack!”

James Keegan is a singer-songwriter from Cork. Rooted in acoustic pop/folk, James brings a warm, easy listening atmosphere. From gaining praise from Damien Dempsey for his “powerful voice” to being stated by Music Crowns as “a man with a guitar against the world”, the young singer-songwriter plans for a good year ahead.

James has played in venues such as Whelans, Cyprus Avenue and Dolans, along with playing more intimate venues such as Connollys of Leap and Seachurch, recently supported artists such as Mundy and Ryan O Shaughnessy. 

James has had two back to back No.1 singles on the iTunes Charts in Ireland with his two songs Take Me Home and Attach Me to the Fire. 

Keep an eye on James’ social media for updates and new music!

O Deer is the musical project of Oisín Walsh-Peelo, who is a session musician and has played throughout the USA, Europe, Ireland, and the UK. He has toured worldwide with a wide range of artists and bands including Hudson Taylor, Hozier, Gabrielle Aplin, Hannah-Grace, Villagers, Sun Collective, and I Have a Tribe.