The Makem and Spain Brothers Every generation has a few acts that define where a musical genre is going, performers so confident in their chosen field that they are able to completely embrace the genre and yet introduce something new to it. In Irish folk music today, that act is the Makem and Spain Brothers.  Not in the past 30 years has a group taken the international stage with such vocal power and stage presence, capturing the essence of their genre, while standing out as something truly unique. A host of various instruments and five male vocals, using precise three-part harmonies blend perfectly for what many have described as a wall of sound. The Makem and Spain Brothers are at their best onstage where their talent and enthusiasm draw in fans who have never experienced the joy of folk music. View video www.makem.com

Comhaltas At our local level, Comhaltas is always involved in the Irish Canadian Cultural Association’s Saint Patrick’s week celebrations and host the Saint Patrick’s Week pub night and ceili.Comhaltas performed on stage, with a musical tribute to the Irish immigrants who landed on Partridge Island in the 1840’s during the 150th commemoration of the Irish Famine.

Bang on the Ear Born Out of the Foothills of Glengarry County, Ontario, a small Eastern Ontario community, rich in Scottish and Irish heritage. Lead by singer/songwriter, Bradley McMillan on guitar and vocals, Mike Sonnel on lead guitar, Michelle McMillan on tin whistle & vocals, Johnny Kluver on bass guitar, Matt Cormier on percussion, and Alexander Macmillan on Mandolin and banjo. Playing and writing Original music, as well as performing you’re traditional Irish, Scottish / Pub songs, they have built a strong following placing emphasis on combining the sounds of traditional Celtic music and fusing it with rock n roll & folk rhythms. There original songs focus on there Celtic culture and that of living and growing up in Glengarry County. There infectious rhythms, and Kitchen Party vibe will have you filling your pints, and stomping your feet all night long. www.bangontheear.com  •  watch video

Ten Strings and a Goat Skin The trio came together while studying at L’école Francois Buote and quickly realized they shared a passion for traditional music. Riding a new wave of pride in the Acadian, French and Irish cultures they share, the group have become well grounded in their music. Rowen, playing violin since the age of 6, plays every tune from the heart like he was in the room when they were written. This is evident in every performance. He also plays mandolin and tin whistle. He is classily trained and is a senior member of the Singing Strings youth orchestra. Strings. Jesse, a self taught guitarist, having honed his skills on rock, brings a smart modern edge to the music of the group. An eager convert to Celtic music, he has quickly established himself as an exceptional guitarist in the traditional style. Experimenting with various tunings, Jesse keeps the accompaniment fresh and interesting. Caleb's percussion is the heartbeat and energy to the Ten Strings sound. A past member of the Junior College of Piping, he has added djambee, bodhran, drum kit and strumstick to his collection of instruments. He continues to study under Kirk White. This group has played numerous Ceilidhs, festivals, private functions, presented a daily noon time ceilidh at the PEI Preserves Theatre for the summer of 2010. They have been invited to perform with singer songwriter, Lennie Gallant on numerous occasions, the latest being at Confederation Centre of the Arts main stage. They have appeared on radio and television and are preparing to record their first album. tenstringsandagoatskin.com  •  watch video

The Sham-Rocks The Sham-Rocks are four friends who have been together since the turn of the century.  Their love of Maritime music as well as old Irish and Scottish tunes combined with their harmonies have all at their performances singing, clapping their hands and tapping their feet.  Influenced by the likes of Tommy Makem, The Clancy Brothers, Evans and Doherty and Ryans Fancy, the Sham-Rocks combine 6 and 12 string guitars, bass guitar, mandolin and the tin whistle to recreate the beautiful celtic sounds all have grown to love. The Sham-Rocks are Bill McCallum, Sean Brownlow, Erno Reti and Jim Stokes.

Concert The Fiddler and the Tenor At the tender age of 16 years Celtic fiddler Kathleen Gorey-McSorley has spent the last year travelling with accompanist Carolyn Holyoke and thrilling audiences in Ireland, the United States and various parts of Canada.  Kathleen’s latest CD “Ceol Binn” (Irish For Sweet Music) has been nominated for an ECMA award as Roots/Traditional Solo Recording of the Year and was nominated for Traditional Roots Recording of the Year and Instrumental Recording of the Year at the Music New Brunswick Awards.  This CD is getting air time on radio stations throughout the Maritimes, Ireland and the US.  She won the slow aires competition at the mid-Atlantic Fleadh in New York and competed in the All Ireland Fleadh in Cavan Town, Co. Cavan in the summer of 2010.  Kathleen had the “Irish Night” audience at The Playhouse on their feet last year with her traditional tunes and dancing. Kathleen was pleased to have been selected to perform in the all-star Fiddlefest at the Music Awards Gala at the East Coast Music Awards in April.  She has just returned from Vienna and Salzburg, Austria where she performed with the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra and she and Carolyn are happy to once again be performing at Canada’s Irish Festival on the Miramichi.  Canadian Tenor Derrick Paul Miller, who is originally from Fredericton, NB, has spent the last decade touring and singing both nationally and internationally.  He has sailed around the globe as a lead singer for Paramount Show Services, was a lead in numerous productions of major musicals both in Canada and the United States, and has performed for 7 seasons with the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto, ON.  Derrick has also been a star of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Halifax, NS for the past four years, and this past summer made his debut in the Ottawa Tattoo, Fortissimo, on Parliament Hill.  His debut cd, Page One, earned him critical acclaim and made it into the top 20 on iTunes UK's easy listening downloads.  Derrick has recently completed his second recording which was  officially realeased in late 2010.  It is entitled “It Is Well...” and is a collection of classical sacred and inspirational music.  Derrick is thrilled to have joined forces with  ECMA-nominated fiddler Kathleen Gorey-McSorley and pianist Carolyn Holyoke this year to create “The Fiddler and The Tenor”, a show celebrating the best of Irish and Celtic music, and is very excited to bring this toe-tapping, feel-good show to the Miramichi Irish Festival! For more information on Derrick, plese visit: www.derrickpaulmiller.com

Barry Williams   Barry Williams, a Newfoundlander living in Riverview N.B., entertains audiences with his acoustic guitar, a great voice and a lot of energy.  Barry has produced three CD’s.

Gerry Roberts Gerry Roberts is a talented musician and singer from Belfast, Ireland. He plays guitar, flute, whistle, bass and the bohran.  Gerry has toured the U.S. and Canada  with  well-known bands.  While working in Belfast during the winter, Gerry travels to the Miramichi for his summers.

Durty Nellys The Durty Nellys acquired their unique handle from a Pub of the same name located in the shadow of Bunratty Castle, County Clare.  There sits one of Ireland’s oldest and most renowned pubs.  So impressed with the establishment they were not hesitant when it came down to naming the band. Consisting of four exceptional musicians from the City of Miramichi, New Brunswick(Canada’s Irish Capital) they have come together to form a unique hard driving Celtic and folk experience.   From the corner pub to the big stage, the Nelly’s are guaranteed to satisfy any audience.     watch video

The Nelson Doyle Dancers The Nelson Doyle Dancers, instructed by Ellen Doyle, is a non-profit volunteer organization in existence since 1991. It consists of boys and girls age five and up who are instructed in traditional Irish dance, language and history. The Nelson Doyle Dancers have performed in Ireland as well as throughout the Maritimes. They have been featured on CBC children's programs, ASN's Breakfast Television and documentaries on Irish Immigration to New Brunswick. Faoi do chois é!

Hibernian Pipes & Drums The Ancient Order of Hibernians Pipes and Drums Band’s mission is to play the pipes and drums to the highest skill level possible. Located in Manchester, NH, the band performs several times a year for a variety of events. A high communal spirit, endless good times, and above all, the joys of achievement are the rewards of hours of dedicated practice.

Bob McCallum Bob McCallum is a Miramichier with a repertoire songs that will have Festival audiences clapping their hands and tapping their feet.   watch video

Gillis Family The Gillis Family is a musical family trio.  Band members are Lynn (Gillis) Manderson, Barb (Gillis) Matchett and Gillian (Matchett) Row.  The group formed in 1991 and have been entertaining ever since.  They have been compared to the Rankin Family and the Andrew Sisters. They play numerous instruments along with singing in three part harmony.   They entertain with various musical genres such as Irish, Scottish, Celtic, Rock and Roll and the 40s&50s.  They are high energy and love to entertain at various festivals, charities and events in Miramichi, New Brunswick.

Masons Tender   An energetic group from the Maritimes with Irish and Acadian roots. Blending heartfelt originals with traditional and country/rock favorites. Lively and passionate this group has audiences stomping their feet for all things Atlantic.

Miramichi Fiddlers A thriving group of some of Miramichi's Best Fiddlers.  The Irish Festival is very pleased to host these talented musicians once again, a true source of pride that we all can appreciate.