Matt Molloy and John Carty with Mike McCague

Probably the most exciting traditional combination of recent times, Matt Molloy and John Carty accompanied by Mike McCague will explore the rich and varied tapestry of the fiddle and flute tradition of North Connaught. 

Matt Molloy has been a member of some of the greatest bands in Irish music including The Bothy Band, Planxty and The Chieftains. His four solo albums, as well as his trio recording with Tommy Peoples and Paul Brady in the late 70’s, brought flute playing to a new level.

Born in London but living in Boyle for over 25 years, John Carty has established himself among the elite of Irish traditional musicians. With three solo fiddle albums, two banjo albums, two group albums, five duet albums and a sprinkling of recorded tenor guitar and flute music recordings under his belt, his musical prowess has grown to great heights. He is also a member of the bands At the Racket and Patrick Street. Most recently John arranged and played all the traditional music elements in the film Brooklyn. 

Both Matt and John are recipients of the prestigious TG4 Musician of the year Award. They are delighted to be joined by guitar and bouzouki player, Mike McCague originally from Co Monaghan, now living in Galway. Having played traditional fiddle and banjo from early childhood he is totally atuned to the music and his rhythmic and imaginative playing is the perfect accompaniment to Matt and John’s unique duet.

The title of Matt and John’s latest album Out of the Ashes was taken from a saying of the great Johnny Watt Henry who was a night owl and liked to keep musicians late into the night. If they made an attempt to leave, he would delay them by declaring ‘What hurry is on ye lads?  Hold on and I’ll rake up the gríosach here and see if I can’t pull another ‘quare’ tune out of the ashes for ye .... to be bringing home with ye”. So this album is a salute to the great men and women of the past like Johnny Henry who nurtured the tradition against all the odds.

“…it doesn’t get much better than this. The solidity and tightness of Molloy’s flute and Carty’s fiddle are a joy to hear” _ Hotpress 

“This duet recording is a rip-roaring success….and ends as it began, with world class grace and power, one of those must-have flute and fiddle albums" _ Irish Music Magazine