A trio of some of Ireland’s finest young traditional musicians. Each an award-winning musician in their own right, these multi-talented performers are coming together to bring you a night of top quality traditional Irish music and song. Siblings Eimear and Conor are from County Clare and their styles of fiddle playing and repertoires reflect the musical richness of their home county. They will be joined by Paul Clesham who is regarded as one of the best concertina and piano players in Ireland today. Together they will perform a blend of toe-tapping dance tunes, sean-nós songs and traditional ballads.
Eimear Arkins is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and dancer from County Clare with 11 solo all Ireland titles to her credit. She has toured and performed with numerous acclaimed groups like Cherish The Ladies, The Paul Brock Band and Trinity Irish Dance Ensemble. Eimear is in high demand as a tutor and performer at folk festivals throughout the world including Catskills Irish Arts Week, St. Louis Tionól, Feile Seamus Creagh, Corofin Traditional Festival, Winnipeg Irish Fest, Viljandi Parimusmuusika Festival, Latium World Folkloric Festival, Festival Interceltique de Lorient and Canadian Celtic Celebration. Eimear is currently based in St Louis, Missouri where she tutors at St. Louis Irish Arts and performs throughout the US. In June 2018, Eimear released her debut album, What’s Next? Click here for a preview of the album https://eimeararkins.bandcamp.com/album/whats-next
Conor Arkins is a multi-instrumentalist from Ruan, Co. Clare. He has several All-Ireland titles and medals at every age group in both solo and ensemble playing. After spending a year at the University of Missouri St. Louis USA studying Music Theory and Composition, Conor now holds a first class honours BA in Music and Irish from UCC, and is currently completing a BMus as recipient of The Quercus Talented Students Scholarship. Conor has toured internationally as both a solo and collaborative artist with acts such as Brú Ború, Brídín and The National Folk Orchestra of Ireland. Conor can regularly be seen teaching and performing at festivals around the world including Scoil Éigse, Creative Connextions Spain, TradFest Belgium, World Expo, Francis O’Neill Irish Arts Week and St. Louis Irish Arts. Now based in Cork City, Conor is in high demand as a music teacher throughout the County.
From Hollymount, Co. Mayo, Paul Clesham plays the concertina, fiddle, accordion, piano and melodeon. He has won 6 All-Irelands at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, including the Senior Concertina and Senior Accompaniment in 2015.
He holds a BA in Music & Irish, a BMus and an MA in Ethnomusicology from University College Cork. He is now studying for a PhD in Ethnomusicology and was awarded an Excellence Scholarship from the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences in UCC for his Doctoral studies.
Paul has travelled to numerous countries worldwide performing and teaching music. He is a member of the group ‘Officially Tapped’ and has performed with ‘Celtic Steps’ dance show also.