Pat Roper Pat Roper, the King of Irish Festivals, returns to the 2003 festival as the headline act. Pat has been the featured act at many of our previous festivals and audiences will remember with fondness marching behind the Irish and Canadian flags to the beat of Pat’s inspiring music. He promises to “rock the joint again this year!”.

Jimmy Carton In 1956, Jimmy Carton, than a boy soprano performed for the first time at the Gate Cinema in Drogheda, County Louth Ireland. Jimmy went on to become renowned throughout Ireland, England, and North America. Jimmy’s renditions of Irish songs have long been favorites at the Miramichi Irish Festival. This year, Jimmy is featured at the Irish Festival Concerts. His many fans await this event with great anticipation.

Bob McCallum is a gifted Miramichi performer with an incredible repertoire of songs. His high energy performance will have Irish Festival audiences clapping their hands and stomping their feet. We welcome Bob to the Irish Festival stage.

Donna & Jimmy Donna McLean is a Miramichi institution beginning with her career aside her father in a memorable series of radio appearances and continuing through the years in many local and provincial venues and concerts. Donna’s amazing voice continues to enthrall enthusiastic audiences. Jimmy Lawlor is a gifted singer in his own right, and his guitar accompaniments and harmonies are a fine complement to Donna’s lead vocals. Both Donna & Jimmy are members of NB Music Hall of Fame.

Sons of the River Sons of the River This local musical group has been entertaining locally for many years, first at kitchen parties and later as a dance band. These four friends, met and began playing together while they were teachers at James M. Hill High School. Their wide variety of music includes a full repertoire of Irish traditional music. Clarence Comeau - base guitar Wally Jimmo - accordion Charlie Stymiest - vocals Vernon Shea - lead guitar

Susan Butler Susan Butler is well known locally, provincially, and nationally, as the force behind the Miramichi Folk Song Festival. Also a brilliant singer, Susan is a veteran of song and stage, who never fails to satisfy even the most demanding audiences. We’re sure you will agree that Susan can belt out an Irish Melody with the best of them! She is a member of the NB Music Hall of Fame.

Robin Averill Robin Averill is a professional, talented entertainer of the highest calibre, whose showmanship and stage presence, combined with fine vocals and the ability to interact with his audience, is a performance not to be missed. Before coming to Canada from Ireland, Robin had established himself as a top class entertainer and vocalist with Ireland`s popular showbands, "The Signs", and "The College Boys". He has also toured extensively throughout Ireland, England and Scotland. You can enjoy the music of Robin Averill during the pubs. For more information, visit www.robin.averill.com.

Hal 'n Tow "Hal N Tow" are a very popular trio well known throughout the Maritimes for their traditional Celtic/Folk music and song writing. They are always a crowd pleaser with their special blend of harmonies and variety of instruments that they play with a mix of humour.   Hal N Tow members are: John Murphy of Hampton, Bernie Houlihan of Moncton and Jim Stewart of Renforth.

Evans & Doherty Kevin Evans & Brian Doherty have been an integral part of the East Coast music scene for twenty years. To capture the essence of an Evans & Doherty performance, take a lively blend of traditional, original and contemporary songs, add a liberal sprinkling of stories and humor, then sit back and enjoy these fine entertainers.

The Nelson Doyle Dancers The Nelson Doyle Dancers, under the instruction of Ellen (Doyle) MacDonald, consists of boys and girls age 5 and up instructed in traditional Irish dance, language and history. It is a volunteer organization in existence since 1991. The Nelson Doyle Dancers are well known throughout the Atlantic Provinces, having traveled to other areas promoting Irish Culture. The Nelson Doyle Dancers will be doing a one act play “The Rathcoffey Pooka” as part of the cultural events.

The Miramichi's accomplished fiddler, Matilda Murdock, is back to thrill the crowds as she has done every year since the festival began. Matilda is a member of the NB Country Music Hall  of Fame and a 2002 ECMA Stompin' Tom Award Winner.

The Miramichi Retired Five. That's who we are! Wally and David were in the teaching profession. Ivan, Jim, and Don were members of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Wally, David and Jim were born and raised on the Miramichi. Ivan and Don are from away, as they say locally. Ivan is from St. Antoine, NB and Don hails from Digby, NS.

In three short years, Banshee has traveled extensively, recorded and performed their inclusive brand of Atlantic Folk Music.   Based in Moncton, the group focuses on the merriment that comes from this genre and creates a stage show that can emulate a kitchen party with a hundred of your best friends. Sibling harmonies soar through the heart of many a favourite tune and the fiddle fires the blood. Banshee will haunt you in a good way! You can enjoy the music of Banshee during the pubs.  You can visit them online at www.banshee.ca.

Coolmagort delivers a powerful blend of high energy traditional Irish music and song. A dazzling variety of tunes demonstrate their focus in keeping the Irish tradition alive while expanding their repertoire to include Scottish and Cape Breton tunes. Coolmagort challenges you to keep your hands and feet still. The group includes Patty Furlong, Frankie McCormick, Dana Lyn, Brendan Dolan, and Eamon O'Leary. Coolmagort will be in concert July 16 & 17 at 7:00 pm at James M Hill. For more information, visit Coolmagort online at www.pattyfurlong.com.