Séamus Begley & Oisín Mac Diarmada

Expect sparks to fly when West Kerry accordionist and singer Séamus Begley joins forces with Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada and Californian dancer / pianist Samantha Harvey.

Séamus Begley is the quintessential Irish musician, an eager storyteller known for his sharp wit and famous for pumping out tune after tune at all night sessions with an energy that is sometimes alarming. Displaying a frisky spontaneity in his accordion-playing, he has toured extensively with performers such as Altan, Steve Cooney and Mary Black and Téada. TG4 recently awarded Séamus the prestigious Traditional Singer of the Year award in recognition of his major contribution to Irish singing.

Fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, founder of noted group Téada, has been described by The Irish Echo's Earle Hitchner as "one of the most gifted and creative traditional fiddlers playing today". He has appeared as guest soloist with the Southern Georgia Symphony Orchestra in the US and accompanied Irish President Mary McAleese on a State visit to Romania. After numerous recent albums with Téada and Séamus Begley, Oisín in 2015 released his first solo album since the 2002 Ar an bhFidil release, combining with Samantha Harvey on The Green Branch.

Providing masterful accompaniment on piano, Samantha Harvey originally from Ventura, California now living in Sligo, is also an award-winning step dancer. Samantha's energetic dance and musical performances on stage has seen her become an increasingly prominent touring performer and teacher. Samantha has toured with a number of touring shows such as Téada, Irish Christmas in America, Ireland – The Show, and Tomaseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas.