Saturday Afternoon Concert: Bumblebees - Dylan Carlos, Cein Sweeney, John McCartin - John Faulkner

Saturday Afternoon Concert: Bumblebees - Dylan Carlos, Cein Sweeney, John McCartin - John Faulkner

Bumblebees 

After years apart, Bumblebees are buzzing back to life for a special 2026 reunion. Featuring Laoise Kelly, Liz Doherty, Mary Shannon, and Colette O’Leary, this much-loved 1990s ensemble returns with the energy, interplay, and spark that made their albums Bumblebees (1997) and Buzzin’ (1999) stand out. Bringing together four highly-distinctive musical voices, Bumblebees’ signature blend of tradition, creativity, and musical chemistry carved out a sound that was both deeply rooted and quietly innovative—driven by Laoise Kelly’s rhythmic harp, the powerful fiddle playing of Liz Doherty, the rich tonal colours of Mary Shannon on banjo and mandolin, and the expressive and textured piano accordion playing of Colette O’Leary. The result was a sound full of lift, colour, and a musical conversation that felt both instinctive and alive—matched in equal measure by the group’s warmth, energy, and unmistakable sense of fun and craic. They made a serious buzz in the 1990s—and now Bumblebees are back for a limited run of 2026 performances.

Carlos Sweeney McCartin

Carlos Sweeney McCartin is a no nonsense trio of Fiddle, Flute and Guitar. Their music is uncompromising in its direct reflection of traditional Irish music as played in sessions in the north west of Ireland today and is heavily influenced by the likes of Matt Molloy, Cathal Hayden, Planxty, The Bothy Band, Dervish and Lúnasa.

Dylan Carlos - Fiddle 

Dylan comes from a very musical family in Co Roscommon, an area better known for flute playing. Dylan took up the fiddle at an early age and is still heavily influenced by the music in his local area. Winner of the All Ireland on fiddle in 2019 he plays and teaches regularly at workshops and festivals around Ireland and abroad. Dylan has performed with groups such as Garadice, Gatehouse and singer Cormac Looby.

Cein Sweeney - Flute 

Cein is from Killeshandra Co. Cavan, a small town in west Cavan with a strong reputation for Irish music. Cein has taught and performed music across Europe, America and the UK and was crowned all-Ireland Senior Flute Champion in 2015.

John McCartin - Guitar 

John comes from County Leitrim. Starting out as a fiddle player, his interest in accompaniment brought him to the guitar. Also a member of the band Garadice he has played and recorded with artists including Frankie Gavin, Dermot Byrne, and Sharron Shannon, as well as bands such as Dervish, Lúnasa and De Dannan. 

John has been the owner of Avalon Guitars since 2024.

John Faulkner

John spent his early years in London where he worked with Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger who had a profound influence on him. Alongside touring as a musician he worked as a music director on several BBC documentary films.

He toured extensively and worked for many years with Dolores Keane for whom he composed the chart-topping song Lion in a Cage about Nelson Mandela.

He has lived in the west of Ireland for many years, performing and touring with De Dannan, the late Arty McGlynn, Jackie Daly, Dermot Byrne, Kevin Burke and many others.

He recently released Storm in My Heart, an album of original songs, two of which feature duets with Declan O’Rourke and the late John Prine. His memoir of the same name was described in a foreword by President Michael D Higgins as “A journey through the world of music, made with passion, showing a creativity that has a profound dedication to justice at its heart.”

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