Music 

Breakdown Rambler 

Breakdown Rambler are an eclectic folk and roots group based in Galway City.

A four piece –their sound is earthy and exciting, with great harmonies to boot.

Time:  9:30 Friday

Island Eddy

A newly formed band but no strangers to the business, Island Eddy's line up brings together the contemporary sound of Jim McKee's vocals and the traditional expertise of Brendan Larrissey (fiddle), Brian Duke (flute) and Martin Gavin (bodhran). 

'On their self-titled debut recording, Island Eddy impressively introduce themselves as a special band. The quartet is a welcome addition to the growing ranks of superior

traditional groups coming out of Ireland in recent years.' 

Earle Hitchner. Irish Echo, New York.

Time 10:30 Friday 
 
 

Jess Klein

A native of Rochester, NY, Jess Klein picked up the acoustic guitar and started writing songs while living in Kingston, Jamaica in her late teens. After independently releasing her first two albums, winning the Telluride Troubador

Songwriting Contest, and garnering several Boston Music Award nominations, she was spotted and signed to Rykodisc in 2000 by then-president George Howard.

Klein's newest album, City Garden [*****Five Stars, MOJO Magazine] puts her soulful, passionate voice up front, and with lyrics that alternate between searing and heartbreakingly vulnerable, and a gritty, primal production style, conveys the kind of emotional intimacy that caused the Boston Globe to describe her as, 'Quite simply one of the most gifted performers this area has

produced.' Time  10:00 saturday

Time : 10:30 Saturday 
 

The Hothouse Flowers

The group first formed in 1985 when Liam Ó Maonlaí and Fiachna Ó Braonáin (who had known each other as children in an Irish-speaking school, Coláiste Eoin) began performing as street musicians, or buskers, on the streets of Dublin, Ireland as "The Incomparable Benzini Brothers". They were soon joined by Peter O'Toole, and had won a street-entertainer award within a year. They renamed the group "Hothouse Flowers" and began writing songs and performing throughout Ireland. Rolling Stone magazine called them "the best unsigned band in Europe".

In 1986 Bono from the band U2, saw the Flowers performing on television and offered his support. They released their first single, "Love Don't Work This Way", on U2's Mother Records label, which quickly led to a deal with the PolyGram subsidiary London Records. Their first album, People was released in early 1988 and was the most successful debut album in Irish history. It reached the number one slot in Ireland within a week and eventually reached number 2 in the UK Albums Chart. The international success of the album received a great boost when a music video for the first single, "Don't Go", was played in the interval between contestants and the scoring in the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest. They have enjoyed much success over the past 23 years and now for the first time- the Hot House Flowers will wow the masses at the Inishbofin Arts Festival.

 

Time  11:30 Saturday 

Niall Toner Band

Dublin's Niall Toner has been called the father of Irish Bluegrass music. Certainly, his dedication to playing and preserving American folk and old timey music has proven both a vocation and a calling card. Having played for four decades with many leading Irish and American bluegrass musicians including Bill Monroe and presenting country music shows on RTE radio and Lite FM, Niall Toner's name immediately commands respect.

An accomplished songwriter, he is a regular on the Nashville songwriters circuit. However, as regards solo recording There's A Better Way is, amazingly enough, Toner's first solo album in his long career, although this first album is credited to the Niall Toner Band. Backed by double bassist Dick Gladney and acoustic guitarist/vocalist Clem O'Brien, Niall Toner and company deliver the goods.

Toner's absorption in American country, folk, and bluegrass allows for a series of original songs that capture the best elements of the classic bluegrass genre.  
 

Other highlights

Emma O’ Sullivan will be continuing her hugely popular Sean Nos dancing workshops for kids and adults alike throughout the weekend.  

Michael Gibbons will hold his annual archaeological walk . This year his walk will encompass Knock hill and the south of the Island. 

Local renowned film-maker Kieran Concannon will be hosting a film workshop for 14-year old plus, simply titled “An introduction to film and documentary making.”

Places on this workshop will be limited –so those wishing to partake should reserve by

calling 095-45861. 

Stagecraft –the acclaimed street theatre and circus company will be providing light entertainment throughout the festival whilst also accommodating kids with various fun stops and shows. 

Peadar De Burca performs his hilarious and acclaimed one man show-

“What men need” . 

Artist exhibits by Joanne Hynes and Anne Morgan

–with more artists to be confirmed soon. 

And much more…