The Narrowbacks

The Dooley Brothers

Situated an hour outside of Dublin, in a quiet farming community in County Laois is the home of two of Ireland’s best kept musical secrets. The Dooley Brothers. They are joining us for the “Circle City Irish festival”, as their only stop in the United States. We have been honored in the past to see them live here in Indianapolis, as part of Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations at the Golden Ace Inn, back in 2018 and 2019. Since the beginning of the pandemic they have not been in the United States as they have become so popular in Ireland. In June, a group from Indianapolis were able to see them in Kilcar, County Donegal, they were fantastic. Hopefully, this will be the first of many trips back to Indianapolis.

They are two big personalities with voices to match. They will intrigue you with the stories of old Ireland, republican ballads and well know sing along songs. They may even throw in a country song or two. No matter what genre you prefer they will have you up out of your seat, singing, stomping, and clapping along.

We are also fortunate to have both brothers’ wives joining us at the festival as well.Aisling and Lisa Dooley will be at the cultural stage, they will be sharing some recipes for traditional Irish baking and also discussing modern Ireland and their place as women in Irish society.

Brigid’s Cross

Brigid’s Cross is a band that plays a variety of music, including traditional Celtic folk, contemporary Irish music, country, rock, alternative, and originals. The band was formed in 1996 by Paul Baker and Peggy Goonan-Baker, who are both strong singers. Paul also plays the violin and serves as the Master of Ceremonies, while Peggy plays keyboards, bodhran, and other percussion. The band has won awards for their music, including the Irish Music Association’s 2008 award for Top Traditional Group in Festival, Pub and Concert Setting.

Highland Reign

Highland Reign, a Scots American fold rock band from Indianapolis, takes the tunes of the old country and breathes a rocking new life into them!

With traditional tunes such as “My Heart’s in the Highlands”, originals like “Bonnie Eilidh”, Celtic classics songs “Twa Recruiting Sergeants” and “Loch Lomond”, Highland Reign has become one of America’s favorite Scottish rock bands!

With wailing bagpipes/guitar tunes, the lilt of the Scots-Irish fiddle, rocking percussion, and upbeat vocals, Highland Reign will rock you back to the old country!

Emily Ann Thompson and Kel

Emily Ann and her husband Kel have been performing Celtic music together since 2009. From fast, high-energy jigs and reels to captivating airs and songs, their performance is energetic and passionate, engaging and transporting audiences to Celtic lands. Emily performs traditional Irish, Scottish, and Canadian fiddle tunes, sings in English and Irish Gaelic, and clogs while fiddling. Kel joins her on guitar, percussion, and vocals. Emily’s brilliant fiddling with foot percussion, and her sweet, lilting voice combined with Kelly’s driving rhythmic guitar and rich vocals create a diverse and highly entertaining combination.

Emily Ann & Kel tour nationally and have performed over 1,000 shows together since 2009, in addition to two tours of Ireland. Past festival performances include: Indy Irish Fest, Bitterroot Celtic Festival, Kalamazoo Irish Fest, Erie Irish Festival, Cape Coral Irish Fest, River Roots Folk Festival, Madison Chatauqua Festival of Art, Columbus Ethnic Expo, Indiana State Fair, and more. In addition they have been featured on Celtic music radio stations in Indianapolis, Sarasota, FL, and Shannon, Ireland.

They have recorded two albums, which will be available for purchase following their performance, as well as on emilyannthompson.com/store

To follow and learn more about both Emily Ann and Kel, visit emilyannthompson.com

Laughing Jack

Laughing Jack are purveyors of acoustical tunes, ballads, shanties, and songs of America and The British Isles. This four-member acoustic ensemble has, collectively, over 120 years of experience performing acoustic folk music of American and Celtic origins. Throw in some off-beat humor, pirate songs, parlor songs, pub songs, and original music and you have Laughing Jack!

Their catalog also contains historic war songs from The Revolutionary War, to the Civil War; from the 1745 Scottish Jacobite rebellion to Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising, and love songs from 1690(!) right through today’s contemporary folk compositions.

St. Patrick’s Day Rogues Pipes & Drums

Dressed in their saffron kilts, emerald green hose and Irish caubeen caps paying homage to the uniforms of Irish military bagpipe bands, the St. Patrick’s Day Rogues Pipes & Drums, “Indy’s Premier Irish Bagpipe Band” pride themselves in presenting an extensive repertoire of traditional Irish tunes and Irish – American favorites.

The Rogues were founded in 2009 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for the Great Highland Bagpipes and wanted to promote music grounded in the Irish heritage of many of the members.

From their stirring rendition of the ”Irish National Anthem“ to the melancholy melody of “Oh, Danny Boy”, the St. Patrick’s Day Rogues Pipes & Drums, bring smiles and cheer to their audiences whenever they play.

Tullies at the Wakefield

Tullies at the Wakefield came together through over a decade of friendship and musical collaborations. Chris Cunningham and Matt Suever have taken the stage together as part of many groups spanning numerous genres. When the opportunity came together for them to perform Celtic music together, a new chapter in their musical partnership was born. The group performs both Irish classics, newer pub favorites, and a little bit of Americana sprinkled in for good measure. We challenge you not to clap your hands, stomp your feet, and sing along when you see these lads on stage!

Indianapolis Ceili Band

The Indianapolis Ceílí Band is an ensemble dedicated to the preservation of the traditional Irish ceili band style music. A Ceili (pronounced Kay-lee) is a social gathering with traditional music, dancing, singing and storytelling.

This talented ensemble seeks to involve audiences in the Irish culture by inviting them to learn simple ceili dances and strives to develop camaraderie, a sense of family and create an enjoyable atmosphere at every performance.

The Indianapolis Céilí Band was formed in 2009, in conjunction with the Irish Arts Academy of Indianapolis, in effort to promote traditional Irish music in the state of Indiana. They perform for ceili’s, dances, and parties throughout the midwest.

The band was the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil Senior Ceili Band Champions in 2015. And travelled to Ennis, Ireland in August, 2016 to compete in the All-Ireland Ceili Band competition, Fleadh Cheoil Na hErieann. They qualified to represent the Indiana and compete in Ireland in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2024.

Richens/Timm Academy of Irish Dance

The Richens/Timm Academy is one of the most recognizable and respected names in the world of Irish dance. It is the most established and accomplished school in both central Ohio, central Indiana and now Wyoming. The Academy’s rich history began over 35 years ago when Ann Richens ADCRG, a native of Dublin, Ireland, began traveling to Columbus from Dayton, Ohio to share her passion for Irish dance. After her prized pupil, John Timm, captured the 1993 Senior Men’s World Championship title, they partnered and the school became the Richens/Timm Academy. Following Ann’s passing in 2011, Richens/Timm is now directed by John and his wife, Heather Timm. The Richens/Timm Academy currently serves locations in Dublin, Columbus and Dayton, OH and Indianapolis, IN.

Celtic Motion

The Richens/Timm Academy is one of the most recognizable and respected names in the world of Irish dance. It is the most established and accomplished school in both central Ohio, central Indiana and now Wyoming. The Academy’s rich history began over 35 years ago when Ann Richens ADCRG, a native of Dublin, Ireland, began traveling to Columbus from Dayton, Ohio to share her passion for Irish dance. After her prized pupil, John Timm, captured the 1993 Senior Men’s World Championship title, they partnered and the school became the Richens/Timm Academy. Following Ann’s passing in 2011, Richens/Timm is now directed by John and his wife, Heather Timm. The Richens/Timm Academy currently serves locations in Dublin, Columbus and Dayton, OH and Indianapolis, IN.