This Music Network tour brings together four outstanding musicians, each dedicated to their craft and highly influential in the Irish traditional music scene. Curated by Deirdre Moynihan and Sharon Rollston, whose extensive experience and expertise are evident in the exceptional lineups they’ve presented over the years, this tour promises to be a special event in this year’s musical calendar.
Irish music enthusiasts will recognise these musicians as some of last year’s recipients of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil awards: Derek Hickey (TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2024 Musician of the Year), Liz and Yvonne Kane (TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2024 Group of the Year), and Macdara Ó Faoláin (TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2024 Young Musician of the Year). While these accolades obviously highlight their talents, this combination of musicians were of course ideal candidates for such a collaboration outside of this context. The idea for the tour subsequently took shape through discussions between Music Network and TG4. In terms of prepping for this tour, the initial sets of tunes they performed together as part of the awards ceremony laid the groundwork for this particular musical journey.
The Concept
As the musicians themselves have noted, in some ways this quartet came together as two duos. The Kane Sisters, Liz and Yvonne, have long been recognised for their remarkable synchronicity and the deep musical bond they share as siblings. Derek Hickey and Macdara Ó Faoláin, though playing together less frequently, also spoke of having already developed a strong musical rapport over the years. These connections have undoubtedly been a huge strength for this initiative.
In discussions with the musicians, their enthusiasm for this collaboration was palpable. One theme which consistently came through and which they emphasised was that they had a shared approach to traditional music – this approach is deeply rooted in heritage and yet open to exploration and innovation. Their collective vision includes a commitment to new repertoire and fresh interpretations, while remaining firmly grounded in the tradition.
They also expressed a strong desire to make this project unique, offering audiences something different from their individual performances in the various contexts they operate in. Rather than designating a single leader, they embraced a collaborative approach, with each musician contributing equally to the selection of material and shaping the direction of the programme. This shared effort has not only enriched the music but also keeps the experience fresh and engaging for both the performers and the audience.
The Musicians
What unites these four musicians is their wealth of experience, their varied yet complementary careers, and the profound respect they have earned within the traditional music community. Each of them places music at the heart of everything they do, reflecting a strong sense of identity and dedication to their art.
Derek Hickey (TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2024 Musician of the Year) is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s finest accordion players. A native of Adare, Co. Limerick, his musical journey began at the age of ten, inspired by his grandfathers, both fiddle players. He honed his craft under the guidance of Dónal de Barra and, by fifteen, had joined the Shannonside Céilí Band. His career flourished with bands like Arcady and De Dannan, with whom he recorded and toured extensively. More recently, Derek has been featured in the Irish Traditional Music Archive’s Drawing from the Well series and is a valued teacher for the traditional music programmes at the University of Limerick’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.
Liz and Yvonne Kane (TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2024 Group of the Year), known as The Kane Sisters, are highly respected fiddle players from Letterfrack. Influenced by their grandfather, Jimmy Mullen, and their teacher Mary Finn, their playing style reflects the rich traditions of Sligo and East Galway, particularly the music of Paddy Fahey. They have performed in prestigious venues worldwide, collaborated with renowned artists, and recorded several acclaimed albums. Their 2022 release, In Memory of Paddy Fahey, showcases both Fahey’s compositions and their own original tunes. Based in Letterfrack, they are dedicated teachers, sharing their knowledge with students locally and online.
Macdara Ó Faoláin (TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2024 Young Musician of the Year) is a bouzouki player from An Rinn, Co. Waterford. Known for his innovative approach, he has collaborated with numerous musicians and is in high demand as an accompanist. His trio’s debut album, Beo, was praised as "one of the best albums of the past few years" by the Irish Echo. In early 2025, he released his first solo album, following his extremely well-received EP Do Shamhlaigh Mé Tír Nua.... Macdara’s compositions blend rich harmonic knowledge with traditional roots, and as a native Irish speaker, he is also contributing to the tradition through the composition of new Irish-language songs.
Rehearsals
A key aspect of the rehearsals was an open approach – being open to ideas, new approaches and fresh repertoire was key. Although each musician is highly accomplished in their own right, the rehearsals provided a new creative space for them to experiment and explore as a group. Derek noted that Liz brought a number of music books to these sessions, and that this provided impetus and inspiration for putting together unique sets of tunes. Rather than relying on traditional sets, they sought to craft something distinctive for the tour.
The musicians also valued the thoughtful scheduling of rehearsals, which allowed them the time needed to fully explore the material and their approach to it. This allowed a space and a depth of engagement which was particularly appreciated and I believe that it is important to acknowledge Music Network’s support in this regard. This has ensured a relaxed yet productive environment in the preparation for the tour, something that is not always possible in the midst of busy performance and teaching schedules.
The Music
Each musician has already deeply engaged with influential Irish traditional composers such as Richie Dwyer, Joe Liddy, and Paddy Fahey, whose compositions will undoubtedly feature in the tour. However, all four are also composers in their own right, and audiences can expect to hear some of these musicians’ own original works, including potentially a new song by Macdara.
An important aspect of Music Network’s approach to curating these tours is the commissioning of new music. This tour’s featured composer is the legendary Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill. A pioneering figure in Irish music for decades, and central to many of the most important developments in Irish traditional music from the 1970s, Tríona is not only a revered performer but also a prolific composer. The musicians have described her commissioned piece as nostalgic, atmospheric and harmonically rich, adding another distinctive element to the concert. I am personally intrigued and looking forward to experiencing this piece in the context of the overall programme.
The Tour
In speaking with the musicians, there is an obvious excitement about the upcoming tour. Macdara highlighted the opportunity to perform in new venues and to create new connections - both with audiences and fellow musicians. Derek expressed enthusiasm about the momentum the tour will build, looking forward to reuniting with old friends and making new ones along the way. For Liz and Yvonne, the essence of the tour is simple yet profound: enjoying the music and having fun.
This tour is a unique convergence of talent, tradition and innovation. As these musicians embark on this journey together, they offer audiences an opportunity to experience something truly special, deeply rooted in the Irish tradition, yet brimming with fresh energy and creativity.