2026 AUSTIN CELTIC FESTIVAL PERFORMERS
Frankie Gavin with Special Guest
Legend Frankie Gavin is one of the most renowned living Irish musicians. Though primarily known as a virtuoso fiddler and founder 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.
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 Grappelli 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! New to the fest! James Linden Hogg is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, author, and historian who brings music and history together through lively performances and storytelling. He shares his passion for the past through concerts and lectures across the country, including presentations aboard Mississippi River cruises. Hogg’s impressive collection of instruments includes fiddle, banjo, guitar, piano, bagpipes, mandolin, fife, penny whistle, and accordion. A Louisiana State Fiddle Champion, he has performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and has performed or recorded with an impressive roster of acclaimed musicians, including Ricky Skaggs, Rhiannon Giddens, Mark O’Connor, Rhonda Vincent, and the late George Jones. Along with his father and frequent musical partner, Jim Hogg, James is a member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. He has recorded five albums and is also the author of two books, most recently A Day the War Stopped: The Story of a Civil War Truce. Hogg earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Louisiana State University, graduating summa cum laude. Whether picking up a fiddle, playing the pipes, or bringing a fascinating piece of history to life, James combines the talents of a musician, historian, and storyteller in a uniquely engaging way.​
The Prodigals with guest Alex Grene
Legacy Performers: Austin's favorite NYC band leader is returning with accordion-led madness and rousing songs. The Prodigals are a high-energy Irish-American band known for a distinctive sound that blends traditional Irish music with the drive of rock, punk, and contemporary rhythms. Led by Irish-born singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Gregory Grene, the band brings together button accordion, guitar, bass, percussion, and powerful vocals for a sound that is unmistakably Celtic while thoroughly modern. Originally formed in New York City, The Prodigals became favorites of the Irish-American music scene through their infectious live performances and an approach sometimes described as “jig-punk”—traditional reels, jigs, and Irish musical sensibilities propelled by the energy of a rock band. At the center of the group is Gregory Grene, whose dynamic accordion playing, songwriting, storytelling, and charismatic stage presence have long defined The Prodigals’ sound. Born in Ireland and steeped in its musical traditions, Grene combines a deep respect for his cultural roots with a willingness to push Celtic music in unexpected directions. Over the years, The Prodigals have built a devoted following through extensive touring, festival appearances, and recordings that move easily between traditional influences and original material. Whether delivering a driving instrumental set, a heartfelt song, or an irresistible dance rhythm, The Prodigals demonstrate how vibrant and evolving Irish music can be. Expect an energetic performance, exceptional musicianship, and plenty of Celtic spirit when The Prodigals, featuring Alex Grene, take the stage.
The Susquehanna Boom Company
New to the Fest! The Susquehanna Boom Co. is a roots-rock Americana band led by Pennsylvania songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brendan Michael Smith, blending the musical traditions of his Irish heritage with the grit, storytelling, and restless spirit of modern Americana roots music. Irish music has been woven into Smith's musical upbringing from the beginning — from the melodies and storytelling traditions of old-world ballads to the communal spirit of songs meant to be played loud and sung together. Rather than recreating that tradition, The Boom Co. carries it forward, filtering those influences through country, folk, blues, funk, and good ol' fashioned rock n' roll.
The result is a purely Americana sound with an unmistakable old-world heartbeat: driving acoustic guitars, fiddle-and-string-band energy, whiskey-soaked storytelling, and the raw power of truth leaking through every phrase. The songs draw from the rolling landscapes and characters of Pennsylvania while reaching back across generations to the music that helped shape the Americana roots tradition itself. It’s Irish heritage filtered through Pennsylvania dirt — old songs in the blood, new songs from the hands.
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 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!
The 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!
The 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) keeps one of Scotland’s great social traditions alive and dancing right here in Austin! Scottish country dancing brings groups of dancers together in lively patterns and formations set to traditional reels, jigs, and the graceful strathspey. It’s great exercise for both the body and the mind—and, most importantly, it’s a lot of fun.
At the Austin Celtic Festival, SCDA hosts a free, all-ages Scottish Country Dance Workshop where everyone is invited to join in. No partner or previous dance experience is needed—just bring your dancing feet and come discover the social dance of Scotland!
If you catch the dancing bug, SCDA offers regular Sunday evening classes in Austin, including instruction for beginners and learners followed by social dancing for more experienced dancers.
And don’t forget another longtime festival favorite—the SCDA Bake Sale! Stop by for a selection of delicious home-baked goodies prepared by the dancers themselves. Come for the dancing, stay for the treats, and meet the friendly folks who are helping keep Scottish dance traditions thriving in Central Texas.
Author 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!
​
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.