2022 Performers
The 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums, Inc.
The 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums Inc of Jamestown, NY is under the direction of Pipe Major Pamela Silver. They are proud to represent Jamestown, NY and Chautauqua County in all events they perform in through-out the year.
Bastard Bearded Irishmen New!
Pittsburgh-based Bastard Bearded Irishmen is one of the most entertaining and energetic live shows today. Their sound is an original, ferocious blend of traditional and contemporary Celtic music, mixed with punk, gypsy and high-energy rock n’ roll. They’re hard-partying and always in good spirit!
Ben Hockenberry & Friends
The Blarney Bunch
This popular South Buffalo band performs wonderful tunes that delight fans and fairgoers each year.
Boree Log Set Dancers
Set dancing is the popular and an early form of folk dancing. They are based on old court dances and allow for some amazingly fun group dances! Come and see the performances these dances first-hand!
Buffalo Niagara Scotia Society Pipes & Drums
One of WNY's newest pipe bands, BNSS is dedicated to strengthening Scottish pride in the region through the art of playing bagpipes. They welcome newcomers of all ages.
Cairde
Cairde’s always expanding repertoire that runs the gamut from centuries-old traditional tunes. They play a blend of Irish & Scottish traditional and contemporary tunes, pub and fiery rebel songs, along with American folk.
Caledonian Pipe Band of Buffalo
The Caledonian Pipe Band of Buffalo was formed in 1958, and is a family-based organization. They field in Grade 4 and Grade 5 competitions.
Catch and Release
Catch and Release is a 5-piece high-energy Celtic influenced band out of Rochester, New York. They cover both traditional and modern Celtic/Irish songs, as well as some standards, polkas, and even a few surprises. The band adds its own styling and rock beat to these tunes to provide the audience with a fun and engaging listening experience.
Celtic Moon
Celtic Moon entertains with Irish traditional and Irish American favorites for pubs, family gatherings, weddings, wedding rehearsals, festivals and life celebrations (wakes).
Celtic Spirit Pipe Band
Formed in 1999, Celtic Spirit has grown into one of Western New York’s top Celtic music performance ensembles. The band mixes traditional pipe music with various modern instruments in unique arrangements created by the band. The band’s performances span regular appearances at area Celtic festivals and traditional parade marching to playing high profiles shows.
Clann Na Cara Irish Dance
Pronounced ‘Clonn Na Karra', they were founded in 2006 by four champion dancers. It has since grown to include 6 locations across Buffalo and Binghamton. Clann Na Cara has performed in St. Patrick’s Day Parades, Irish festivals, TV performances, charity events, concerts, weddings, schools, nursing homes, and the list goes on. Competitively, dancers have been honored with numerous national and international awards.
Crikwater
Born in the rustbelt Irish American neighborhood of South Buffalo, NY in 2010, Crikwater have become the premier Irish American Traditional Folk Band in Western New York. The pub-scene veterans offer up a mix of fiery fiddle tunes, rowdy pub sing-a-longs, elegant ballads and original songs.
David Stayner
"D" Company Buffalo City Guard Gordon Highlanders
The Gordon Highlanders were formed in 1837 in defense of the City of Buffalo. They are the oldest continuing organization in the City of Buffalo, this year celebrating their 175th anniversary. They march in parades all across Western New York and participate in many community activities.
Emerald Isle Band
Emerald Isle plays a mix of traditional Irish, Scottish and sea chanties on fiddle, accordion, bass, guitar, penny whistle, bodhran, harmonicas and banjo.
Feadán Òr Pipe Band
The original Feadán Òr performed for about 18 years, and was one of the most known bands in the area. Their newest incarnation's aim is to promote traditional Scottish bagpiping, drumming and dancing, in performances and through teaching (they also offer lessons in all three skills).
Harris-Grieco Academy of Irish Dance New!
One of the newer dance academies to the Buffalo, NY region, it is led by renowned dancer Rachael Grieco. She is enjoying her lifelong passion of teaching and passing on Irish heritage to future generations.
Kindred
With a rare blending of voice, cello, guitars, and percussion, Kindred draw their music from the Irish poets, pubs, and county fairs; from the Scottish Highlands, Atlantic Canada, and the Appalachian crannies of the American southeast.
MacKenzie Highlanders' Pipes and Drums
With roots dating back to 1913, the band has had many incarnations over the years. Now the tradition continues... The MacKenzie Highlanders' offer free bagpipe and Scottish drum lessons to all interested in becoming a member.
Matt Englert
In addition to his Celtic repetoire, he can be found playing a variety of Roots-Americana in clubs and coffeehouses all over western New York.
McCarthyizm
Born in the days before alternative was a marketing term, McCarthyizm soon became a band known for blending 60’s garage and 80’s underground rock with strong melodies and intelligent lyrics. Add some raucous rhythm and a tasty measure of Celtic flavoring and you’ve got a cocktail with a punch that delivers one helluva good time, all the time.
Merry Mischief
Songs of pirates, sailors, lonely maidens, dragons, and days gone by... where beggars and thieves earned their way on the byways of merry olde England & Ireland. So sit ye down by the fire of our music, sung in two-part harmony, with a wink, a jest & a limerick or two...and rest ye awhile with a tear or a smile.
Mudmen New!
Always entertaining and definitely unique, The Mudmen are a blast of Celtic energy whose members are known to be characters both on and off the stage. They are Canada's Celtic Rock Warriors who have legions of fans worldwide!
Niagara Highland Dance Academy
Niagara Highland Dance Academy was founded by studio owner and long-time Highland Dancer, Audrey Watkins. They have been a part of the Niagara, Canada Region for 20 years. Their dance studio is family-oriented and aims to promote a supportive, fun and engaging environment for all dancers.
The Niagara Regional Police Pipes and Drums
The Niagara Regional Police Pipes and Drums is located in Niagara Falls, Canada. They perfom locally and across Canada and the USA at Scottish Highland Games and other Celtic events, both as a concert and competition Pipe Band.
O'Braca Irish Band New!
O'Braca has been entertaining WNY with traditional Irish music since 2011. They're an all acoustic band singing songs with lively vocals. Members of the band are seasoned musicians...playing & recording in multiple bands currently and over the years. A fun bunch of guys!
Penny Whiskey
Penny Whiskey is a group of fun loving folks who truly have a good time doing what they love most…entertaining. They offer the best in acoustic music from Ireland & Scotland, along with home grown bluegrass and folk influences. With audience participation songs, rousing pub sings, comedy tunes and tearful ballads, Penny Whiskey offers something for everyone.
Poor Ould Goat
Poor Ould Goat plays Irish folk/rock, bluegrass, country, rock, Americana and original songs with high energy on acoustic instruments. The four members play a pile of instruments, collectively including mandolin, accordion, guitar, djembe, bouzouki, banjo, bodhran, doumbek, tin whistle, drum kit, and three vocals.
Reardon & Garvey Band
The Reardon & Garvey Band performs traditional and contemporary Irish music, American Folk tunes, and some new contemporary songs. With the combination of 3 and 4 part harmonies and instrumentation, they keep audiences highly entertained.
Rebecca Glon
With a love of poetry and adventure on her sleeve, Glon keeps Celtic tradition and appreciation alive in song and story--from medieval to present! Audiences will find her pieces an engaging mix of beauty and insight, with some laughter thrown in as well.
Rince na Tiarna Irish Dance School
Rince na Tiarna (Gaelic for ‘Lord of the Dance’) is a family oriented school that teaches students from five to young adult, while nurturing pride in Gaelic culture. From beginner to champion, hard work, creativity and fun generate a certain spirit and style that is unique to their school and students.
ROCeltic
ROCeltic is a performance company based in Rochester, NY. ROCeltic celebrates Irish heritage – past, present and future – through music and dance. Progressive with a traditional foundation, “ROCeltic” strives to break down genre barriers.
Rochester Scottish Pipes and Drums
The Rochester Scottish Pipes & Drums is the city of Rochester’s Celtic Ambassador to the world, carrying its unparalleled tradition forward into the 21st Century. The band has greatly expanded its repertoire to include both traditional martial music and more modern tunes.
Rosewood Bridge
Rosewood Bridge plays fun up-tempo acoustic music: their favorite acoustic songs, Irish and Americana songs, a little country, a little rock, and a few originals too.
Setanta
Setanta is a small group of traditional Irish musicians who met playing music in pubs here in Western New York. Although the band itself is fairly new, the individual musicians are well-respected in the Irish music scene, and perform frequently at area pubs and festivals.
Step in Time
Their diverse repertoire of Celtic, seafaring and music from the 14th century to now is performed with outstanding vocals and varied instrumentation, including: Guitar, Pipes, Whistles, Concertina, Bouzouki, Bodhran, Harmonica, Flute and Recorder. Performances full of energy and humor are their hallmarks.
Stone Circle
Stone Circle is a contemporary and traditional Irish Pub band well known to the WNY region.
Tom Callahan
Tom Callahan’s unique voice is rich, powerful, and expressive and his music is captivating. Audiences are often inclined to join in on a rousing pub favorite. Tom plays several instruments, but his signature is the 12-string guitar which he has played since the age of fifteen.
Tom Keefer and Celtic Cross
Firmly dedicated to preserving Scottish and Irish heritage through song, Tom Keefer and Celtic Cross delivers music from their ancestors. Having played all over New York, in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Canada, they are "road-ready" for Celtic entertainment.
Tuatha Dea
Combining primal rhythms, melodic and ethereal ballads, screaming guitar riffs with an Appalachian/Celtic vibe, Tuatha Dea delivers an authentic tribal and clannish feel that not only draws the audience into the music but into the moment and clan as well. They embrace their Celtic heritage and mesh it with their own bold blend of mainstream rock, mountain drumming and Appalachian blues to produce a truly unique sound that has a universal appeal!
Whiskey Thief Band
Performing at a private event only.
Yellow Jack Duo
A newer band to the area, they specialize in folk and Americana music, songs related to Western New York and Erie Canal history, and original material. Niagara Celtic welcomes part of the band for a special performance in the Great Hall.
Stages
Fireside Stage
Music and dancing at the Fireside is nearly non-stop all weekend, from local favorites to international rockers. It's the home for the Saturday Evening Ceilidh, and will be surrounded by lights, food, ceremonial fires- everything you love about Niagara Celtic!
Dragonfly Stage
Music is alive at the Dagda Faire! The Dragonfly will host a variety of musical acts, all with the goal of keeping the Dagda's atmosphere full of fun and excitement!
Celtic Arts Stage
Celtic sounds originated with solo performers, small bands and groups. The Celtic Arts Stage honors their modern counterparts who blend musical traditions and sounds with a touch of their own style. The theatre is our only indoor stage, and offers food and restaurant-style seating.
Motte & Bailey Arena
This quaint wood arena has built in bleachers and a roof, allowing seating like you've never before experienced at Niagara Celtic. Enjoy dancers, pipe band showcases, unique demonstrations and more!
Cara Stage
This small, mainly accoustic stage is big on passion. Performers fill The Great Hall with Celtic and local sounds, at select times daily.
