1798 Festival of Music & History Lineup

Some superb new acts added to the lineup for the Gig Rig at the Mall for the 1798 Festival of Music & History. These artists bring an eclectic mix of music genres to the stage and will be sure to entertain the crowds on the main stage. Read on and find out a little bit more about the artists…….

Fresh from captivating sell-out audiences around the globe, Irish cellist Patrick Dexter now brings his awe-inspiring talent to the stage in Castlebar.

Patrick performs his unique blend of classical and Irish folk music that have made him become one of the world’s best known cellists.

During the pandemic, Patrick Dexter’s music videos became a much-needed comfort for countless numbers of people all over the world. He began playing cello by his home, a tiny old stone cottage in County Mayo surrounded by immense amounts of nature, and quickly became an online global sensation watched by millions. Patrick’s online cello performances were an iconic symbol of hope and unity through the pandemic and have now become a much celebrated live show.

Prepare to be transported to a world of pure musical enchantment. Immerse yourself in the soul-stirring melodies and evocative storytelling that have made Patrick Dexter’s live performances a global phenomenon.

The concert will include music from Patrick Dexter’s debut album ‘Solace’ which recently became one of the highest selling albums in its genre in the the US and Canadian album charts.

In addition to the popular arrangements that have made him a global sensation online, Patrick also brings new original melodies and songs that still touch something old and enduring.

Patrick’s performances are an unmissable experience that weave storytelling with classical, pop, folk and Irish traditional music, all expressed with the cello’s uniquely resonant voice.

Check him out at his website https://patrickdexter.com/

A short bio excerpt from https://ultanconlon.com/about/

For many songwriters there is one occurrence which has such significance in their lives that they will always point to it as the time of transformation or moment of epiphany. For the Galway born singer-songwriter, that shift happened at age 13 when Ultan Conlon’s father passed away. Ultan’s earliest memories are that of his dad singing along to old standards as they crackled through the car radio. While always drawn to music, until this time Ultan had never felt the need to create his own. A proficient guitarist who’d been taught traditional folk tunes, he had suddenly tapped into his creative well and took to the process with voracity. Says Ultan, “I write as a form of comfort. I know when I start to feel a bit off there is potentially a creative period ahead.”

His songwriting foray resulted in four acclaimed albums recorded in a span of ten years. While still based in Galway, Ultan recently found a haven for his unique sound and sensibility in Los Angeles, CA with Nickel Creek’s Grammy Award-winning Sean Watkins producing his latest record, There’s A Waltz (2020).

For more information check out Ultan’s website or Social Media

Having earned a reputation as one of Ireland’s finest singers and songwriters McCabe has performed extensively with his Folk-Soul group The Niall McCabe Band over the past decade. Born on Clare Island, Co.Mayo, McCabe grew up in the family run pub awash with strong musical influences from traditional Irish and folk to rock and soul. It is here that Niall discovered his musical appetite and developed a style and voice that are unquestionably his own.

As well as becoming an accomplished finger-stlye guitar player, more recently Niall has been lending his unique voice to Irish trad-fusion band Beoga touring Ireland, Europe and the USA while also playing support for Ed Sheeran, Foy Vance and Johnny Swim.

McCabe’s eagerly anticipated ‘Rituals’ album was release in February 2023 to critical acclaim and featured as RTE Album of the Week, while the song Rituals topped the RTE Radio airplay charts for five consecutive weeks.  

Some press quotes from Niall’s most recent album RITUALS

‘…the weight of personal experience and reflection makes it a masterpiece, in the true sense of the word’ IRISH MUSIC MAGAZINE

‘A Sentimental Soulful Debut’ – 7/10 HOTPRESS Magazine

‘On my third listen of Niall McCabe’s brand new album ‘Rituals’ I continue to find new things that I like about the album. Like that movie that deserves at least two viewings before you can appreciate it for what it is.*’ – FINBAR HOBAN PRESENTS

STONEMASON

: ‘…the strength of this song is already so clear within a few measures’ – Eliot Lipp (Alchemical Records)

‘…an incredibly talented singer-songwriter and his song ‘Stonemason’ is one of the best I’ve ever heard’ – Miriam O’Callaghan (RTE Radio 1)

Check Niall’s website out here https://www.niallmccabe.com/

Plus check them out on their Youtube Channels and hit the subscribe buttons to help out Irish Artists!

Stay tuned for more artists coming to the 1798 Festival of Music & History in Castlebar or to support our Festival hit the button