2026 AUSTIN CELTIC FESTIVAL PERFORMERS
Legend Frankie Gavin is one of the most renowned living Irish musicians. Though primarily known as a virtuoso fiddler and founder member of De Danann, he has composed several tunes. One in particular, ‘Alice’s Reel’, has entered the standard repertoire.
Frankie Gavin was born in 1956 in Corrandulla, Co. Galway. He comes from a musical family: his father, mother and family all played Irish Music. He started playing the tin whistle at age four, making his first T.V. appearance three years later. At the age of ten years old Frankie began to play fiddle and at the age of seventeen he placed first in the All Ireland Fiddle Competition and in the All Ireland Flute Competition, both on the same day.
Mainly learning by ear, he was strongly influenced by the 78 recordings of Michael Coleman and James Morrison. Sessions in the Cellar Bar, Galway and later in Hughes’ pub in Spiddal led to the formation of De Dannan in 1973.
He has recorded 16 albums with De Dannan as well as a number of solo albums, and three collaborations: one a tribute to Joe Cooley entitled ‘Omos do Joe Cooley’ with Paul Brock; a fine collaboration with fellow De Dannan member Alec Finn; and one with Stephane Grapelli exploring the languages of jazz and traditional music. He has also guested with The Rolling Stones on their Voodoo Lounge album, with Keith Richards on ‘Wingless Angels’ and with Earl Scruggs the great banjo man.
Frankie will be accompanied by Catherine McHugh, one of the most outstanding young piano players in Irish traditional music today. Growing up in an area steeped in legends of Irish traditional music, Catherine grew up listening to and playing with many of the outstanding East Galway musicians. Her approach to piano accompaniment, heavily influenced by legends of the piano is far beyond her years with a unique understanding of the music she performs.
THe TUNECHASERS
New to the fest! Colin Farrell started playing the fiddle and tin whistle at an early age and has made a name for himself performing and recording with an array of great musicians in Europe and the US, including such groups as Flook, Grada, Karen Casey, John Doyle, The Elders, Julie Fowlis, Tim O'Brien, The Michael McGoldrick Band, The Ashley Davis Band, Off Kilter, and has been touring with the Irish traditional supergroup Lúnasa for the last 12 years. Colin is also a noted composer whose tunes have been played and recorded by numerous bands and musicians. In 2005, Colin was awarded a Masters Degree in Music from Limerick University. Dave Curley hails from Galway’s Corofin as a multi-instrumentalist and singing prodigy, playing guitar, banjo, mandolin, bodhrán, amongst other things, along with his velvet vocals. A youth steeped in music led him to study for a BA in Irish Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. Will MacMorran is a multi-talented musician, audio engineer, and educator based in Johnson City, TN. Will has had the honor of touring with The Chieftains as their guitar player during their last 4 years of touring and has spent 15 years touring nationally and internationally with well-known artists in the Celtic, pop, and country genres. Will started piping at a young age and quickly added the guitar, whistles, accordion, and bouzouki, among other instruments, to his skill set. Will currently teaches as an adjunct in East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass, Old Time, and Roots Music Studies Program and is the Department Head of Entertainment Technology at Northeast State Community College.
JAMES LINDEN HOGG
New to the fest! James Linden Hogg is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, author, and historian. He shares his passion for music and history through performances and lectures on riverboats across America. Hogg’s instruments include fiddle, banjo, guitar, piano, bagpipes, mandolin, fife, penny whistle, and accordion. Along with his father, Jim, he is a member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Hogg earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Louisiana State University, where he graduated summa cum laude.​
Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums
Legacy Performers Silver Thistle has been participating in pipe band competitions and performing in Texas and worldwide for more than 45 years. We are dedicated to serving the greater Austin area through quality performances and education.
Under the leadership of Pipe Major Ken Liechti and Drum Sergeant Stephen Dick, our corps consists of many pipers and drummers who learned to play through our band’s own lesson system. Other players came to us with experience from other bands. We are a global community with members from Scotland, South Africa, and Canada, as well as our homegrown musicians. We are proud to represent Texas both locally and abroad.
Contact us to book us for your next event, register for piping or drumming lessons, or learn how to join the band!
FRANKIE GAVIN
with Special guest
RIVER DRIVER
Texas Stars - River Driver’s diverse and unique repertoire of Americana folk rock, combined with their electrifying live performances, captivates audiences from the first note. Whether charging into the crowd mid-song or leaping from table to table in lively pub gigs, fiddler Shelly New and guitarist Michael Logan exude energy that’s impossible to resist—sparking dancing, clapping, singing, and celebratory cheers from every corner of the room. Their diverse repertoire spans from Hank Williams to Guns N’ Roses, weaving bluegrass, Cajun, Texas country, Celtic, and Americana folk into a unique, high-energy tapestry. With creative arrangements, powerhouse vocals, and screaming fiddle solos, River Driver guarantees an unforgettable experience!
The Prodigals
WITH Guest Alex Grene
Legacy Performers Austin's favorite NYC band leader is returning with accordion-led madness and rousing songs.
Gregory combines original lyrics and melody with a genuine passion for the traditional music of Ireland and a funky energy that is pure New York. The roots of the music are unmistakably traditional Irish; the branches that shoot off delve into rock, worldbeat, jazz, and punk, and the result has been called “the best Irish trad-rock band.”
THE YOKES
Local Talent! The Yokes are an Austin-based folk band bringing the spirit and energy of Irish pub music, Celtic folk, sea shanties, and traditional ballads to audiences across Central Texas. Featuring a lively blend of guitar, banjo, fiddle, whistles, drums, and vocals, The Yokes deliver everything from rousing sing-alongs and drinking songs to heartfelt ballads and songs of the sea. Proud contributors to Austin's growing Celtic music scene, they always bring plenty of music, merriment, and craic wherever they perform!
SUSQUEHANNA
BOOM COMPANY
New to the Fest! The Susquehanna Boom Company brings the rich musical traditions of Ireland and the Celtic diaspora together with Americana, folk, roots, and bluegrass influences. Hailing from Northeast Pennsylvania, the band draws inspiration from the enduring songs, stories, and rhythms carried across generations while adding their own spirited, contemporary approach.
Led by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Brendan Michael Smith, The Susquehanna Boom Company delivers an energetic live performance filled with traditional roots sounds, original music, and heartfelt storytelling. Their music celebrates the living folk traditions that continue to evolve throughout America from Pennsylvania to Texas.
TEXAS IRISH DANCE ACADEMY
Texas Irish Dance Academy (formerly Inishfree School of Irish Dance) has been one of the most prominent Irish Dance classes in the state of Texas for over 15 years. In this time, children and adults have gained more than just the ability to dance. They offer Irish dance lessons to children and adults in Austin, San Antonio, Round Rock/Georgetown, and Kyle/BudaClasses focus on developing a strong work ethic, focus, achievement, and good sportsmanship, and making lifelong friends.
Inishfree Austin is under the direction of former Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames Lead Dancer, Patrick McCarthy, and Championship Dancer, Pierce Beach. Kathleen McCarthy is our guest teacher and is also a former Lord of the Dance Lead Dancer. Emily Touzin and Leslie Touzin Middleton are guest teachers from our sister school in Dallas, Texas.
Scottish Country Dance Alliance
SCDA hosts an all-ages Scottish Country Dance workshop at the Festival. See the schedule for the time and place and come and enjoy the social dance of Scotland. If you like it, try out our weekly classes (Sunday evenings at 6 pm, 8018 Mesa Drive). Also, visit our ever-popular bake sale to enjoy our home-baked goodies.
Lisa A. Traugott
Lisa A. Traugott is an award-winning and bestselling author of two historical fantasy novels, a memoir that led to her getting cast on American Grit with John Cena, and a Mom’s Choice Award-winning children’s book which she wrote and illustrated. Check the schedule or workshop page for her lecture on Sunday!
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Would you have survived a Scottish witch trial?
Find out in this lively, interactive show where the audience casts spells, explores Celtic myths and folklore—and ends with a mock witch trial where you help decide the verdict. Bestselling, award-winning author Lisa A. Traugott brings the strange—and sometimes shocking—history behind her Tales of the Witchborn novels to life.
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