Alastair Donaghy, Tara Bingham, Ian Burrows, Andy McGregor, Mary Bergin, Mikie Smyth, Tommy Hayes, Gareth McLees & Harry Bradley

Tonight we explore the traditions of Scotland and Ireland through Bagpiping, Drumming, Uilleann Piping, Fifing, Flute, Tin Whistle & Bodhrán, featuring some of the world’s finest musicians.

Alastair Donaghy comes from Omagh, Co.Tyrone. He is currently a member of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, with whom he has won several major championships, including two world titles, the most recent in August 2018. Alastair was also crowned Young Piper of the Year in 2014. He now competes at Senior Level and was the winner of the Open Hornpipe and Jig at the Ulster solos in April 2018.

Mary Bergin – ‘Just about the best Tin Whistle player this century’ is how the Irish Times referred to Mary in a recent interview. Mary’s first solo album ‘Feadóga Stáin’ brought out in 1979, holds its place as a classic in latter-day traditional music. She has toured extensively in Europe, America and in Australia playing in concerts and festivals, and giving workshops and seminars.

From Belfast, Gareth McLees began drumming at 8 years age playing for Glasdrummond and North Belfast Pipe Bands. He was taught by Stephen Rourke of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe band, and the drumming legend, the late Bobby Rea, himself a 3-time World Solo Champion and Champion of Champions.

Ian Burrows and Andy McGregor are BelfastTradFest board members and are highly regarded Highland Pipers and Smallpipers who have performed and taught music the world over.

Harry Bradley was born in South Belfast. The vibrant recording heritage from the 1920s and 30s has had a huge influence on his flute-playing style as has the playing of musicians such as Seamus Tansey, Desi Wilkinson and piper Seamus Ennis. In 2014 he was the recipient of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Traditional Musician of the Year Award.

Tara Bingham comes from Comber in Co. Down and learned her early music from her father Leslie Bingham, also a flute player. She is one of a group of accomplished flute players who emerged from the greater Belfast area in the late 1970’s, and is renowned for the tone and smoothness of her playing.

Mikie Smyth began playing the pipes in the Pipers Club in Henrietta Street, Dublin.He has performed both as a soloist and with shows (Riverdance and Ragus) in over 25 countries across 5 continents. He has recorded with Donal Lunny, Maurice Lennon, Sean Keane and ‘The Rubberbandits’ to mention a few.

Tommy Hayes has been at the forefront of traditional Irish music for over 40 years. He has performed and recorded with most of the great names in traditional music and beyond. He has been a member of a number of ground- breaking groups, including Stockton’s Wing, Puck Fair, Altan, Liam O Flynn and the Pipers Call Band and the Eileen Ivers Band.