A concert with the amazing Tradtional Band Cuas. Steeped in the music and songs of West Kerry as well as their own compositions.

Méabh Ní Bheaghlaoich ( accordion, vocals ), Nicole Ní Dhubhshláine ( concertina, flute ), Niamh Varian-Barry ( fiddle, viola, vocals ), and Kyle Macauley ( guitar, bouzouki ) formed CUAS in early 2023, a collective dedicated to celebrating the vibrant and diverse musicle traditions of West Kerry. Drawing inspiration from the emotive songs and dynamic traditions of the region, the group places the instrinsic connection between listener and performer at the core of their performances.

Their self-titled debut album,released in May 2024, was a live recording captured in Seanscoil a' Chuasa before an intimate audience of friends and family. The band were nominated for Best Emerging Artiste 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. Regular performances on national television include Fáilte 2024, Fleadh TV, Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh, Up for the match and CUAS in Lorient. In 2024 they performed in 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.

Support on the night will be provided by local Kilkenny musician Gerry Walsh.

Gerry Walsh was born and raised in Kilkenny. He has music in his blood with both his father and mother’s side contributing to his talent. Generation after generation of the Walsh's have been associated with Irish folk music in the south east of Ireland.

Gerry has performed in Kilkenny with his father since he was 16 years old and, while he now plays gigs on his own and with others, he continues to play with his father every Monday night in John Cleeres bar in Kilkenny. This gig, that was started by his father-Mick Citern Walsh, has run for over 30 years.

Over the past few years he has performed as a solo artist.

He has a joint honours degree from UCD in music and maths. He has been employed as a teacher since he left college and is currently teaching in St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny. His favourite piece of work is his traditional music group that he started in 2017. They perform at all the major school events/celebrations and at Christmas perform in local nursing homes around the county.

His unique style of guitar playing mostly in alternative tuning adds to his singing ability.

We are delighted to introduce this local Kilkenny man to our night.”

Description supplied by the event organiser.