Saoirse Barbour, Co-Ordinator, Acadamh Ceoil, Concertina

Originally from Newcastle, County Down, Saoirse Barbour is a First-Class Honours graduate in Music from Ulster University, Magee, and the recent recipient of the Aisling Murphy Scholarship for Education. Immersed in both Irish Traditional and Classical music since the age of six, she is a passionate multi-instrumentalist whose love of music was first inspired by her great-grandfather, a founding member of the local Comhaltas branch, and fostered further through years of performance and dance. She has since gone on to perform widely on local, national, and international stages, sharing her music with diverse audiences.

Alongside performing, Saoirse is equally passionate about teaching and inclusivity. She has taught students of all ages and abilities and volunteered extensively with children and adults with additional needs, co-facilitating inclusive creative sessions in the community. With a strong belief that traditional music should be accessible to everyone, Saoirse is committed to creating welcoming spaces where all can experience and share in the joy of music.

Aine Rodgers, Traditional Piano

My name is Aine Rodgers, I’m from Omagh in Co.Tyrone and I am a member of Dromore CCE. I am currently studying at Ulster University, Magee. I started playing classical piano when I was 5 and I have achieved grade 8 standard. I started playing traditional piano at 10 and achieved 3rd in the All-Ireland Fleadh in Ennis the following year. I have multiple county and Ulster Fleadh titles in oiano, accompaniment, céilí band and music group, and was extremely proud to place 2nd in the Senior piano competition at the All-Ireland Fleadh 2024.

As well as playing solos, I am actively involved in playing with my Comhaltas branch. In 2022 I was part of the Forge Céilí Band that won the 15-18 céilí band competition and the Shanaragh music group that achieved 2nd place at all-Ireland level. Also in 2022, I was part of an instrumental group that won the instrumental music competition in Scór na nÓg. I have achieved grade 8 in traditional piano and have been teaching piano for the past 4 years.

Calum McCann , Fiddle and Bodhran 

My name is Calum McCann, and I have grown up playing Irish traditional music from a very young age

I am member of the Ards Comhaltas branch where I have been an active member since childhood. Through Ards i have been granted amazing opportunities to play abroad and also compete in many Fleadhs over the years. I have won many medals across Grupa Ceol, Ceili Band and solo Competitions. I also have Grade 8 qualifications in both Fiddle and Bodhran

For the past few years, I have been teaching Fiddle and Bodhran. During this time, I have really taking a keen interest and wish to per-sue a career in teaching in the future. I teach both privately and in groups in both instruments.

I am currently Studying a BMus Degree in Music at Ulster University Magee

This past year Myself and another Tutor Ciaran McCusker have taken on the 15-18 Grupa ceol for the Fleadh. This has been a Great experience for our Teaching and look forward to continuing with them over the next few years

Ciaran McCusker, Guitar

My name is Ciaran McCusker, and I have been immersed in Irish traditional music for my entire life.

Music runs through my family, and my grandfather founded the Ards Comhaltas branch in 1976, where I have been an active member since childhood. And through this I’ve had the opportunity to be taught by some of the best tutors in Ireland

For the past four years, I have been teaching guitar, banjo, and fiddle at Ards Comhaltas. During this time, I have mentored many young musicians at both solo and group level, with several of my students achieving medal success in competition.

I am also a member of the senior entertainment group, where I regularly perform on guitar alongside leading figures in the Irish traditional music scene.

I hold Grade 8 qualifications in three instruments, have won multiple medals through Comhaltas, and, in addition to my teaching within the branch, I also provide private tuition in guitar, banjo, and fiddle.

Emer Devlin, Flute and Tin Whistle

Emer Devlin is a flute and whistle player from Seskinore, County Tyrone. She has been tutoring in Dún Uladh for two years, teaching both whistle and flute to children and adults of all ages. Emer is currently studying Music with Irish at Ulster University, with whom she was granted the opportunity to visit China to perform in the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, the Beijing Film Academy, and on the Great Wall of China.

Emer is an active member of her local Comhaltas branch, Fintona CCÉ, where she has been an Irish Language Officer since 2023, after enjoying the role of Youth Officer for three years previous. With Fintona CCÉ, Emer has taken part in many competitions at fleánna since 2015, collecting a range of medals at county and provincial level. Most recently, Emer was a member of the all-Ireland-winning Lendrum senior music group at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Wexford, which won first place.

Emer Mallon, Harp

Emer Mallon from Keady, County Armagh is an acclaimed harpist and multi-instrumentalist. As a session musician and performer she has thrilled audiences at festivals across Ireland, Europe and the USA including the Tønder Festival in Denmark, Piping Live in Glasgow, the William Kennedy Festival in Armagh, and the Milwaukee Irish Fest in the USA.

Emer is a prolific performer and composer appearing on numerous TV & Radio shows for the BBC, TG4, and RTÉ. She is a member of award winning band Connla, who have two critically acclaimed albums and have toured Europe and America extensively.

As a harp tutor she is inspiring the next generation of traditional Irish musicians in music schools across Ireland. In addition to all of this Emer is a qualified music teacher and holds an Honours degree in Music, and a PGCE from the University of Ulster.

Fionnán McIvor, Button Accordion

Fionnán McIvor is from Moville, Inishowen, in county Donegal and he started playing around the age of 5. His main instrument is the button accordion which he has been teaching along with bodhrán through the Ceolán school of music for several years.

His influences include the likes of Finbarr Dwyer, and from attending many festivals over the years, has learnt from players such as Joe Burke, Daithí Gormley and Diarmuid O’Meachair, all which have shaped his playing style.

He has attained distinctions in his trad music exams and is currently studying Irish language at university.

He is an active member of the Inishowen Traditional Music Project and has participated in many projects from workshops and concerts to orchestras.

Fionnán plays regularly for the sean nós dancers and is busy playing sessions regularly throughout Inishowen and Derry.

Jane Walls, Uilleann Pipes

Jane Walls, from Moneyglass, County Antrim, began playing the uilleann pipes at the age of eight under the guidance of Gay McKeon at Na Píobairí Uilleann. She is a seven-time All Ireland solo champion at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and in 2025 was crowned the All Ireland Senior Uilleann Pipes Champion.

Jane has performed widely, both as a soloist and as part of groups. She was a member of Spleodar, winners of the Siansa Gael Linn competition in 2018, and has played for Uachtarán na hÉireann at Áras an Uachtaráin, in Stormont, on television, in Vicar Street, and at major festivals across Ireland. Her playing is also featured on Mná na Piob Volume 2, a celebrated collection highlighting the artistry of female pipers.

Alongside her performing career, Jane is passionate about passing on the tradition. She has over eight years of teaching experience and has led workshops across Ireland, working with students of all ages and levels. Currently studying to become a qualified teacher at St Mary’s University, Belfast, she brings both her extensive musical expertise and her formal training in education to her teaching.

Shania Holland, Tin Whislte and Traditional Singing

Shania Holland from Clogher, County Tyrone, is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and singer. Her musical journey began at the age of four, when she first started playing Irish traditional music. Since then, Shania has become a regular competitor in feiseanna and fleánna, both as a soloist and in both céilí bands and music groups. Shania has a first class honours in Music and also a recipient of the Heather Clarke scholarship for performance at Ulster University Magee.

Over the years, Shania has achieved numerous county and Ulster medals. She also secured third place in traditional English singing at the all-Ireland Fleadh. Shania has a grade 8 certification from the London College of Music.

In addition to her solo work, Shania is a member of Polar Bolero, a vibrant band from Derry. The band has garnered significant attention, earning a nomination for NI Live Act of the Year in 2023.

Shannon Duggan, Banjo

Shannon Duggan is a banjo and mandolin player from Newtowncunningham, county Donegal, She started her musical journey on the mandolin at the age of ten, then progressed onto the banjo. Shannon attended banjo lessons in An tAcadamh as a child where she was taught by Brona Graham. Since then, she has competed in many fleánna and competitions at county, provincial and all Ireland level. Shannon holds numerous Ulster titles on the mandolin. She has also completed her grade 8 with distinction on banjo.

Shannon completed her bachelor's degree in music with a first class honours in 2022. She was awarded the Heather Clarke Scholarship by Ulster University for achieving the highest grade in her final year performance. Shannon also completed a Masters in music at Ulster University, graduating with a distinction. She holds a CCÉ Teaching Diploma (TTCT). Shannon is actively tutoring banjo and mandolin in the Donegal and Derry area.

Tom Carlin, Drums

My Name is Tom Carlin and to say music is a big part of my life would be an understatement. My Journey with music started when I was only 7 years old playing the clarinet in school and then I found the drums when I was 12 years old. Since then I have played in multiple bands and various venues and festivals all over Ireland and the UK. I've had a few teachers in my life who've influenced me to be who I am today and now I want to be that good influence for others, showing students how exciting and enjoyable the drums can really be and how far it can take you.