Musicians

	Gerry has been playing accordion and piano for Irish dancing for over 20 years and in that time has played feiseanna throughout the UK, Ireland, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand as well as numerous dancing-based folk festivals throughout Europe. In addition to Irish dance music, Gerry has won 4 All Ireland traditional music titles and 14 Great Britain titles on both Accordion and Piano and is a founder member of St.Roch's ceilidh band who currently play throughout the
Gerry Conlon	More info...
	I am originally from the Bronx , New York and presently reside on Long Island.  When I was younger I danced for Peter Smith and Roger Casey.  I was taught the fiddle by Peter Kelly and was later a student of Martin Mulvihill. While growing up in the Bronx I was lucky enough to be around venues where Andy McGann, Paddy Reynolds, Johnny Cronin and many other great fiddle players performed.
Billy Furlong	More info...
	Dean was an experienced Irish Dancer winning every major title – World Championships, All Ireland, Great Britain, North American and All Scotland, dancing for the Claddagh School in London. He has had many good memories of competing at the World Championships! Dean soon decided to retire from the dancing and concentrate on pushing his ambition with Irish Music. He has since won the World Accordion Championships in Belfast and the All Ireland Fleadh. To be All Ireland and World Champion in both dancing and music is quite an achievement at 17 years of age.
Dean Crouch	More info...
	I am originally from Ballymena, Co. Antrim, where I started off playing feisanna Many years ago with the late Mary Mulholland (R.I.P.), a great musician and sorely missed friend. This is my first time at ORNC since 1998, where I provided musical accompaniment, and also competed as a dancer under the Armstrong S.D., Belfast. From there I went on tour with Riverdance, and after a few years found myself living in New York, where I work as a full-time musician and music-teacher. I would like to thank CLRG for having me at this year’s Oireachtas,
Niall Mulligan	More info...
	Chris comes from a family of Irish dancers and musicians. His mother, Patsy McLoughlin, runs the McLoughlin School of Irish dance; his father is a singer. His mother taught him how to dance. Tragically, his dancing career was short lived, due to very turned in feet. He learned to play music from Maureen Glynn Connolly, who also encouraged him to play for the dance competitions. Chris is an All Ireland accordion medalist. He has played several times at the World Championships; he has played at the North American Nationals for the past 17 years, and he has also played extensively throughout Canada, Ireland, Great Britain, Scotland, Australia, & New Zealand.
Chris & Michelle McLoughlin	More info...
	Kevin started playing music on the whistle at school at the age of seven and only moved to the box when he was big enough to hold it! Living in Galway he had a fabulous wealth of music on his doorstep and from way too early an age started to frequent the local bars listening to music with the tape recorder in his pocket. He graduated to the piano stool and began vamping in the sessions and spent many many Saturday evenings into Sundays in much the same spot, a bit like the feises! This early exposure to traditional music has influenced his style of playing and choice of tunes, which is very much his own recognisable sound.
Kevin Joyce	More info...
	Michael is a champion dancer and musician who began his career at the age of 5. Musically, his first instrument was the button accordion, learned under the guidance of the late great Roscommon accordionist John Glynn. In his teenage years, Michael’s self-taught instrument play-list expanded to include the violin, tin whistle, piano, drums, percussion, mandolin, harmonica, foot-base, and guitar, amongst others. A 1976 Fleadh Cheol All-Ireland Ceili Band, Lilting, and Trio Champion, he was also a multiple award winning US Fleadh Cheol Irish button accordion champion during the 1970’s as well as a violinist/drummer in the Galtymore Ceili Band under the direction of
Michael Fitzpatrick	More info
	Francis is a one of Ireland's most dynamic young piano players and is a talented step dancer.  He has performed all over the globe, at music festivals including Celtic Connections and the Tønder Festival, and provided musical accompaniment for all major Irish dance competitions including the World Irish Dance Championships. Francis has recorded with many young traditional Irish musicians and has provided numerous recordings for Irish dance shows.  Francis has several national TV appearances to his credit including a performance with Ireland's most vibrant young ceili band, The Five Counties Ceili Band, at the Rose of Tralee festival as well as on RTE's latest programme showcasing young Irish traditional musicians, ‘The Reel Deal'.
Francis Ward	More info...
	Annmarie studied traditional Irish dance and music in New York , learning from some of the best teachers, including Jerry Mulvihill, Donny Golden, and the late Maureen Glynn Connolly. In 1998 Annmarie became the senior all-Ireland champion in the accompaniment category at the fleadh cheoil. During this same year, Annmarie achieved her T.C.R.G. and was honored by Irish America Magazine as one of the top 100 Irish Americans of the year. After opening the Acosta School of Irish Music and Dance in September 1998, Annmarie has gone on to teach many young musicians and dancers in the New York area. Her students have
Annemarie Acosta	More info...
	Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain is Acting Course Director of the BA in Irish Music and Dance at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. She is a registered Irish Dance teacher T.C.R.G. and adjudicator A.D.C.R.G. with An Coimisiún le Rinci Gaelacha. She has travelled extensively to workshops and Step Dance Competitions throughout Europe and North America as a tutor from the renowned Scoil Rince Ui Ruairc and dance accompanist. In 1998 she completed a Masters in Ethnochoreology at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. Orfhlaith is currently completing her doctoral thesis at the University of Limerick.
Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain	More info...