About Us

 Adrian Mc Auliffe

 Adrian Mc Auliffe comes from Freemount in the Barony of Duhallow in Northwest Cork. A village steeped in traditional Irish music. Adrian started playing Irish traditional music when he was 8 years old. He was taught by music teacher Con Herbert from Killeedy West Limerick. His first instruments were the bodhrán and mandolin before moving to the tenor banjo. Having quickly mastered his chosen instrument he was a regular competitor at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in the 1980’s both as a soloist and as a member of Ceoltóirí Chrónáin in the newly formed local branch of CCE – Craobh Chrónáin.

In the mid – 90s Adrian’s profession saw him working in the UK and Saudi Arabia where he continued to play and learn from those whom he met along his travels. In 2003 Adrian joined the Allow Céilí Band from Co Cork and in 2007 they were crowned All Ireland Céilí band champions at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann. Adrian also plays with the Srtíolan Céilí band from Mountcollins Co. Limerick. Adrian’s style of banjo playing is packed with energy and swing and he is in much demand at concerts and session all over Munster. His greatest musical influences are Brian McGrath, John Carty, Liam Flanagan and Mike O’Sullivan

Cathal Flood

Cathal, who also comes from Northwest Cork, started playing an array of instruments from a young age before settling on guitar as his main instrument. Influenced earlier on by blues and rock, he reverted back to traditional music. Since then he has excelled in traditional guitar playing and has performed on many stages around the US, Europe and North Africa, representing Ireland for two consecutive years in the renowned Lorient Interceltique festival in France. He has accompanied artists like accordion virtuoso Liam O’Connor, Fr. Liam Lawton and Pauline Scanlon to name but a few. Cathal likes to experiment with different backing styles, bringing modern day effect and techniques to complement each traditional tune.

Like so many of the great accompanists, he has taken the best from these genres, all the while maintaining a deep appreciation of traditional music, his first music. Cathal operates not in some secondary subservient accompaniment role but rather in dialogue with Adrian, supporting and lifting the music, teasing out something in the tunes that are surely all the richer for his presence. Best of all, Cathal remains open to what he can learn from those with whom he plays locally and abroad and this is the mark of a true musician