Cuas: Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich (accordion,vocals), Nicole Ní Dhubhshláine (concertina, flute), Niamh Varian-Barry (fiddle, viola, vocals), and Kyle Macaulay (guitar, bouzouki) came together in early 2023 to form Cuas, a collective that performs and celebrates the wild and diverse musical traditions of West Kerry. Inspired by the emotive songs and the vibrant dance traditions of the area, the group positions the intrinsic link between listener and performer at the heart of the performance. Cuas will realise this connection as they record their debut album in September ’23 in front of a live audience in Corca Dhuibhne. Invigorating polkas and slides, thoughtful new compositions, and native songs abound in this meeting of four of Ireland’s most promising young musicians.
Padraig Jack: Padraig Jack writes and sings meaningful songs on guitar and piano in Gaelic and English. Having played numerous headline shows and toured Ireland and the UK extensively with Sharon Shannon prior to lockdown, the pandemic caused him to postpone shows including his Galway, Dublin and London album launch shows, an appearance at the world famous World Music Festival WOMAD as well as an Irish tour with Damien Dempsey and solo tours in the UK and Germany. 2022 started with Padraig writing and recording with Irish music legends Foster and Allen and he performed with the duo in Dublin’s Pepper Canister church in March 2022. He also joined Damien Dempsey for a sold-out Irish tour including in the Iveagh Gardens in front of 4000 people. He had a hit record with his song ‘Making Sand’ in summer 2022 as it was Number One in the RTE Airplay Chart for 4 weeks in a row leading to appearances on The Miriam O Callaghan Show and The Ray Darcy Show. Padraig started a residency show ‘Making Sand the Show’ on Aran in summer 2022 which will return in 2023.