Midday Concert Series

Free Midday Concerts, 1:30 pm Daily, Shaughnessy’s Pub,

Break up your afternoons with a spectacular series of authentic listening concerts in Glin, County Limerick. Rather than open sessions, these are curated, structured performances celebrating master musicianship, transatlantic connections, and the rising stars of the traditional arts.

Tuesday, October 27: Young Fiddlers of West Limerick

Carrying the Legacy Forward: Witness the survival, strength, and evolution of the regional style. The West Limerick fiddle tradition is defined by its distinct, driving bow hand, syncopated rhythm, and infectious "lift"—a regional style famously championed by Brendan and Martin. This special midday concert brings together the region's elite youth players who have honed their craft under the mentorship of master tutors, displaying their technical skill and deep passion for the craft.

Wednesday, October 28: Gerald Culhane

The Iron Bridge: A Celebration of Glin’s Native Music and Composition

Experience an exceptional afternoon of authentic West Limerick music with a mid-day concert performance up close with the master artists.

The festival proudly brings celebrated local musician and composer Gerald Culhane home to Shaughnessy's. Rather than an informal, open session, this event is as an up-close, listening performance celebrating a native son's creative legacy within a warm, intimate atmosphere.

Featured Artists

• Gerald Culhane (Button Accordion & Composer): Gerald Culhane was born in Glin, Co. Limerick. From an early age, he was exposed to the rich traditions of Irish music and folklore. He has drawn inspiration from the music of his locality and the various regional styles from around the country. Gerald is the composer behind The Iron Bridge, a collection of sixty-seven original Irish tunes (including Jigs, Slides, Hornpipes, Reels, Polkas, and Waltzes) that draws inspiration from the various influences that he has encountered in his musical career and reflects his deep appreciation for the tradition of Irish culture and the origins of Irish music.

• Matthew Reidy (Banjo): Matthew Reidy is an accomplished banjo player from Glin, County Limerick. Immersed in the rich musical heritage of West Limerick from a young age, he developed a highly regarded personal style known for its precision, drive, and traditional phrasing. His exceptional talent was showcased on a national level by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, where his recorded performances of complex traditional reels drew widespread acclaim from purists. A masterful interpreter of regional dance tunes, Matthew is a staple of the local musical landscape and frequently collaborates with premier exponents of the West Limerick and North Kerry traditions.

• Patsy Broderick (Piano): Patsy Broderick is widely recognized as one of the most influential and definitive piano accompanists in the history of Irish traditional music. Renowned for her impeccable timing, subtle chord structures, and driving rhythmic "lift," she has served as the backbone for countless iconic recordings and live performances over several decades. A legendary figure within the traditional community, her masterful accompaniment provides the perfect harmonic foundation for regional melodic styles.

• Joe O' Sullivan (Flute): Joe hails from Scartaglin, Co Kerry in the heartland of Sliabh Luachra.

  He is one of the leading flute players in Ireland. His style of playing is synonymous with Sliabh Luachra and he spent many years playing with legendary musicians such as Johnny O' Leary RIP and Jimmy Doyle RIP. Joe was a member of the Shannon Vale Ceili band that won the All - Ireland Ceili band competition in 2011. Joe has shared his music on many television programmes down the years and continues to be an inspiration to musicians both young and old!

Thursday, October 29 at 1:30 PM: American Old-Time

Discover the fascinating musical conversation between Irish shores and the Appalachian mountains. This special concert brings together four world-class roots musicians to explore the deep rhythmic and melodic ties binding American Old-Time music to its Irish traditional ancestors through shared fiddle tunes, raw ballads, and folk cross-pollination.

• Emily Martin: Specialized in the intricate driving rhythms and vocal styles of the Appalachian tradition, highlighting the raw emotional core shared by Irish and American folk songs - and apprenticed and performed on stage with Brendan MMasulvihill.

• Josh Henderson: A fiercely versatile double bass and guitar player, Josh anchors the transatlantic arrangements with a commanding acoustic presence, blending rich rhythmic timing with deep-rooted folk ornamentation.

• Elora Martin: A celebrated multi-instrumentalist capturing the gritty heartbeat of American string bands, tracing how ancestral melodies formed a completely new American soundscape.

• Cleek Schrey: Studied with Brendan Mulvihill, an internationally acclaimed hardanger fiddle player and composer unearthing the acoustic links between ancient European drones and early American folk forms.

Friday, October 30 at 1:30 PM: Catherine McEvoy & Patsy Maloney

Experience a sublime afternoon of pure, unadulterated traditional music featuring two legendary titans of the Irish flute. Both players are globally revered for keeping the flame of the traditional regional flute style burning with unmatched tone, rhythm, and impeccable ornamentation.

• Catherine McEvoy (Flute): Recipient of the prestigious TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year award. Born in Birmingham to Roscommon parents, her playing is a definitive pinnacle of the driving, rhythmically intricate Sligo-Roscommon style.

• Patsy Maloney (Flute): Hailing from the rich musical soil of County Limerick, Patsy is a legendary figure among flute traditionalists. Renowned for his flawless phrasing, deep repertoire, and a classic Munster lift, his style serves as a vital cornerstone for players across the country.