Artists
Fergus Bogue and Friends
Fergus Bogue is a button accordion player who hails from Ballinagh, Co. Cavan.
He is a member of the Cnoc na Gaoithe Céilí Band who lifted the senior ceili band title in 2019. Fergus has had previous success on the accordion and in duets at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. He has travelled to France and South Africa performing for big crowds in places such as Nelson Mandela Square.
He loves traditional music and plays in sessions and festivals around the country.
Fergus is joined on the night by multi-instrumentalist Ademar O’Connor who is a 20 times All Ireland champion, flute and piano player Barry Conaty, a winner of the senior flute and senior piano competitions at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and bodhrán player and singer Daire Smith who has all Ireland titles for bodhrán, most recent being senior bodhrán in 2022.
All have travelled extensively bringing Irish traditional music to many parts of the globe and sharing stages with many renown contemporary musicians. It is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome Fergus Bogue and Friends as the main act for this years Gerry Whelan Memorial Weekend concert.
Under the expert tutelage of Noreen Boyle, Cliona McGorman and Ursula McAdam Cootehill CCE branch have grown from strength to strength over the past decade.
With plenty of experience under their belts from performing alongside many illustrious musicians and groups at the Annual Gerry Whelan Memorial Concert the group has grown in strength and numbers. A recent highlight for the group was performing with the Oriel Traditional Orchestra in 2018.
Cootehill CCE are a stable at the annual St Patricks Days Parade and recent performances include the Bunnoe Festival and the Cootehill Celebrates Community. Cootehill CCE are very excited to perform at this years festival and hope that all in attendance have a wonderful night
Dáire Smith is a bodhrán player and singer hailing from county Cavan.
His bodhrán playing could be described as contemporary with traditional roots, while his singing is more modern folk. He has numerous county and ulster titles in Sean nós singing. He also has multiple ulster and all Ireland titles for bodhrán, most recent being senior bodhrán in 2022.
Dáire has been involved with tours of Ireland and Britain, orchestras, numerous recordings and performs regularly at festivals around the country and abroad.
Fergus Bogue – Button Accordion
Fergus Bogue is a button accordion player who hails from Ballinagh, Co. Cavan.
He is a member of the Cnoc na Gaoithe Céilí Band who lifted the senior ceili band title in 2019.
Fergus had previous success on the accordion and in duets at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. He has travelled to France and South Africa performing for big crowds in places such as Nelson Mandela Square.
He is a lover of traditional music and plays in sessions and festivals around the country.
Ademar O’Connor – Fiddle/ Violin
20 times All Ireland champion Ademar O’Connor is a multi instrumentalist who has won All Irelands titles on fiddle, button accordion, banjo, piano, melodeon and miscellaneous.
He is the current senior fiddle and banjo All Ireland champion. He has performed in concerts and sessions all over Ireland and in France, America and Canada with his two brothers Arthur and Theodore.
Last year he won the Fiddler Of London, the Ed Reavy Fiddle competition and The Fiddle of Dooney.
Barry Conaty – Flute and Tin Whistle
Barry Conaty is a flute and piano player from Ballyhaise, Co Cavan. In 2022, he won the senior flute and senior piano competitions at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, following on from winning underage all-Ireland titles on flute & whistle (2017) and piano (2016).
Barry toured with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Ireland and Britain in 2018/19 and is also a member of the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland. He has performed on Fleadh TV, Raidió na Gaeltachta and RTE Radio 1 Céilí House, most recently for a series on young traditional musicians called “Carrying the Tune”.
In April 2021, Barry was one of the showcase flute players at the annual recital at Cruinniú na bhFliúit. He has taught at many tradfests over the years around Ireland and teaches at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy and Scoil Acla every Summer.