Friday Evening Concert: Cuas - Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta with Ryan Molloy - The Trad Gathering

Friday Evening Concert: Cuas - Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta with Ryan Molloy - The Trad Gathering

Cuas

Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich (accordion, vocals), Nicole Ní Dhubhshláine (concertina, flute), Niamh Varian-Barry (fiddle, viola, vocals), and Kyle Macaulay (guitar, bouzouki) formed CUAS in 2023, dedicated to celebrating the vibrant and diverse musical traditions of West Kerry.

Drawing inspiration from the region’s emotive songs and dynamic dance traditions, the group places the connection between listener and performer at the core of performances.

Their self-titled debut album, released in May 2024, was recorded live in Seanscoil a' Chuasa before an intimate audience of friends and family. The band were nominated for Best Emerging Artist and Best Folk Group at the 2025 RTÉ Folk Awards.

CUAS has performed at festivals across Ireland, including Tradfest, Other Voices, The Gathering, and Féile na Bealtaine. They have appeared on national television, including Fáilte 2024, Bláth na hÓige, Fleadh TV, Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh, and Up for the Match. In 2024, they performed at the National Concert Hall (NCH) with dancer Stephanie Keane as part of the Irish Traditional Music Archive’s Drawing from the Well series.

Invigorating polkas and slides, original compositions, and traditional West Kerry songs come alive in the hands of four of Ireland’s most exciting musicians.

Séamus and Caoimhe Ní Fhlatharta with Ryan Molloy

Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta -  Best Emerging Artists at the 2024 RTÉ Folk Awards - hail from the Connemara Gaeltacht and are noted for their sean nós singing and unique arrangements of both Irish and English language songs. 

Their exquisite vocal blend is enhanced from the unique vocal tones that only family members share. Their Late Late Show performance in 2022 of the soulful lament Anach Cuain received widespread acclaim and went viral.

Séamus (harp, whistle, bodhrán) and Caoimhe (fiddle) are accomplished multi-instrumentalists who keep the Irish language and their heritage at the heart of all their musical endeavours. They have shared stages with renowned artists and ensembles, most recently appearing as guest soloists with the National Symphony Orchestra at the National Concert Hall. 

They have toured Europe, Asia and North America, and have contributed to notable recordings, including Notify’s most recent release, Airnéan. In 2023, the duo released their debut EP,  produced by Brian Whelan and Riverdance composer Bill Whelan.

Composer and pianist Ryan Molloy has performed to international audiences for more than twenty years. He was named TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2024 Composer of the Year, and was nominated for the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards in 2020 and 2021.

Ryan has recorded on more than thirty albums as a pianist, composer and arranger with a repertoire spanning traditional Irish and contemporary classical. A much sought-after collaborator, he has worked with artists and ensembles including Fergal Scahill, Seán Óg Graham, Neil Martin, Paddy Glackin, Iarla Ó Lionáird, North Cregg, Barry Kerr, the Ulster Orchestra and the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

His music is broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Radio Ulster, RTÉ lyric fm, Radio 1 and Ráidió na Gaeltachta as well as BBC 2, UTV and TG4. Described as a ‘milestone’ in traditional piano performance, his acclaimed first solo recording Pianophony was released in 2019. Recent works including Casúir’s Cnaipí and Pianoboxing, showcase his innovative approach.

The Trad Gathering

IMDL’s London-wide youth project The Trad Gathering features a large group of young traditional Irish musicians led by Karen Ryan and Pete Quinn. The project was founded in 2008; jointly commissioned by the BBC Proms and Return to Camden Town Festival.

In recent years, the group have been celebrating music from the repertoires of prominent members of the London Irish music scene, including: Marcus Hernon, Bryan Rooney, The McCarthy Family, Roger Sherlock, Lucy Farr, Danny Meehan, John Bowe, Julia Clifford, Mick O’Connor, Tommy Maguire and Marcus Hernon. The Trad Gathering have performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall, Kings Place, Royal Festival Hall, Mayor of London’s St Patrick’s Day Festival at Trafalgar Square and many more.

At Return to London Town 2026, members of the group will play their debut performance of tunes from the repertoire of East Galway fiddler, Maureen Minogue Browne.

*Please note that all advertised concert times are door opening times. Performances will commence 30 minutes after doors open.