Dennis Doyle
Celtic Harp & Song
Slainte! At the Gathering this year, come experience a traditional Irish music session. Both the music and the gathering itself are "Traditional". The legacy and lore of Irish music has been passed down for generations in just such a setting. Historically, sessions are open to anyone who wants to play, learn, or listen to this rich tapestry of music and song. Western Montana is fortunate to have a lively, vibrant community of musicians playing this music in weekly sessions for more than twenty years. Players come together from the Bitterroot, Missoula, and north as far as Kalispell to play, socialize and generally carry on! We are also fortunate in Western Montana to have a strong connection with Ireland through the Irish Studies Program at the U of M. Over the years, many of the young women and men who have come to teach the Irish Language at the University have brought along their instruments and enriched our local traditional music scene. Stop by to enjoy a sampling of what we are lucky to have here in Western Montana!
Seamus Kennedy
A four-decade veteran of the Irish/Celtic festival circuit, Seamus Kennedy was first influenced by the legendary Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. From them he learned the importance of not only being a solid musician, but also of being an all-round entertainer.
With a thorough knowledge of the traditional and contemporary songs of Ireland and Scotland, he is equally proficient with American music, be it folk, country, bluegrass or a little Western Swing.
Originally from Belfast, but now based in Annapolis, MD, he has been entertaining audiences all over the United States from Alaska to Florida, from Maryland to California for more than four decades. At home in venues ranging from intimate house-concerts and folk-clubs to large concert halls and festivals, Seamus has been bringing tour groups to Ireland for 30 years to experience the music and culture of his homeland “up close and personal”.
Blaggards
Blaggards (no the, pronounced BLA-GUARDS or BLA-GHERDS, depending on where you’re from) formed July 2004 in Houston, Texas.
We play what we call Stout Irish Rock, traditional Irish music mixed with rock n’ roll, informed by everything from Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley to Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath. We are most frequently compared to bands like Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, and the Pogues.
We released our new album BLAGMATIC in July 2021, and our latest single release “Come Out Ye Black & Tans” hit streaming services on March 13, 2022.
Blaggards are lead vocalist/guitarist Patrick Devlin, bassist/vocalist Chad Smalley, and drummer Kevin “Turbo” Newton.
Front man Patrick grew up in Dublin, Ireland, and tended bar in Irish pubs and music venues for many years before starting his first band. From his perspective behind the bar, he realized there was a local demand for Irish rock music that nobody was fulfilling. In 1996, to this end he formed a band called On The Dole. Although the band did well, opening for legendary Irish touring acts like the Wolfe Tones and the Saw Doctors, eventually Patrick decided it was time to clear the decks and start again.
In 2003, while hosting a weekly open mic at an Irish pub, Patrick met bassist and singer Chad Smalley, a veteran of the Houston music scene who had recently returned from New York and was looking for a new project. The two of them soon began singing and performing together every week, developing a tight vocal harmony style. A year later, Blaggards was born.
Joining Blaggards as their newest member, drummer Kevin “Turbo” Newton brings over two decades of experience touring with punk bands Pummel and The Easy Kill. Not only a great musician, Turbo is an energetic performer whose dedicated mindset has breathed new life into everything the band does.
Blaggards maintain a rigorous schedule, playing constantly throughout Texas and touring nationally several times a year. We’ve also toured Ireland every year since 2010.
Our music has appeared in movies and TV. An original instrumental entitled “Kerfuffleful” appears in the New Line Cinema motion picture How to Be Single, released February 2016.
“Drunken Sailor” and “Big Strong Man” from our first CD, Standards, were both featured in episode 86 of the CBS series The Good Wife, aired on March 24, 2013.
“Big Strong Man” also appears in the British film The Kid, directed by Nick Moran and based on the best-selling book by Kevin Lewis.
endorsements
Patrick endorses Diamond Guitars and Diamond Amplification. Turbo endorses SJC Custom Drums.
Cootehill Session Junkies
Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering
Here's what we have so far for our 2025 event.
Website will be updated as we confirm more!!
Identical twin harpists Camille and Kennerly Kitt, known as the HARP TWINS, have achieved extraordinary success by taking Electric Harps and Concert Grand Harps to unprecedented levels and smashing boundaries between different genres of music. The twins’ ability to reinvent the harp has given them the opportunity to represent the United States at four World Harp Festivals, tour worldwide as a duo, and be featured guests on the 2020 nationwide PBS special, Celtic Heart. The duo has amassed over 2.5 million fans across their social media sites and over 155 million views on their YouTube music videos, making Camille and Kennerly the most followed and recognizable harp duo in the world. The Harp Twins have headlined countless concert series, festivals, fairs, comic-cons, and conventions – with audiences that include former U.S. Presidents and Vice Presidents, tech titans, fashion moguls, dignitaries, and world leaders. Mixing their virtuoso harp skills with their stunningly complex arrangements of classic rock, metal, Celtic, and soundtrack hits - as well as Nordic inspired original songs - the Harp Twins deliver exciting, comedic, and interactive family-friendly performances that audiences
Celtica Nova
Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering
PO Box 1774 Hamilton MT 59840 US
406-274-8886
bitterrootcelticsociety@outlook.com
A 501(c)(3) non-profit # 46-5321460
Dennis Doyle is a Celtic harpist, singer and storyteller.
His delightful program of traditional Irish harp music, stories, songs, bits of history and jokes have been performed all over North America, Japan and Ireland. Teachers and musicians run in his family which originally hails from County Wicklow.
His published material includes 12 recordings, 4 books and contributions to several other artist's recordings. His television work includes performances on the series Murder, She Wrote, and research and artwork material for programs on the History Channel. Over the years, he has served as the opening act for Clannad, the Dixie Chicks, and DeDannan.
Currently a professor emeritus, Dennis taught at Glendale Community College in Southern California lecturing in English, Humanities and Irish History & Literature and lead biannual Study Abroad tours to Ireland.
Dennis has also been affiliated with Conradh na Gaeilge for many years and holds a gold fainne showing proficiency in the Irish language. He also serves on the board of the Los Angeles branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
The Byrne Brothers, from Donegal, Ireland, are a multi award winning family band currently taking the Irish American scene by storm!
Their achievements include a massive social media presence, winning the Young Artist Academy© Award for Outstanding Music Ensemble and being named Rising Stars of the Year by American Celtic Radio Listeners for their album "Living the Dream."
They are also one of the biggest Irish Trad Supergroups on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram and TikTok with over 70,000 followers and 32 million views on their music videos.
They are all County champion musicians and Ulster champion Irish dancers. The band consists of Luca on accordion, Finn on banjo, mandolin, and guitar, Dempsey on bodhran and whistle, and their father Tommy on uilleann pipes, fiddle, guitar, and grade 1 bagpiper.
They moved to America in 2018 to perform at Walt Disney World where they became Youngest ever cast members in the history of Disney, and have since toured extensively across 47 US States.
The Byrne Brothers have established themselves as a significant presence in the traditional Irish music scene, attracting interest from Hollywood and receiving a reputation as a "Must See Band" at festivals.
They are well known for their electrifying and high-energy performances that showcase modern traditional Irish music and world-class Irish dancing. Their music features both traditional and original tunes and songs. Audiences around the globe are captivated by their infectious humor, energy and talent.
Hunter Koss
Jade Merriman is a Montana raised musician currently residing in Missoula. Growing up she sang in the family band with her mother and sister, music has always been a big part of who she is. After leaving the family band, RiverRose, she went on to college at the University of Montana where she got her degree in theater and Irish Studies. Jade has always been proud of her Irish background and currently expresses that pride through music and voice. This proud member of the Boyd Clan is always overjoyed to share her love of Irish song with anyone willing to listen.
Hunter Koss is a solo harpist who primarily enjoys performing Celtic, folk, and traditional tunes. Since the age of eleven, Hunter has been bringing the musical strings of a Celtic lever harp to life and nourishing a love for rearranging old Celtic folk tunes. Even more than arranging she loves to compose contemporary Celtic songs to share alongside her learned repertoire. Her original compositions, arrangements, and song selections are inspired by deep connections with family, friends, life experiences, and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest region.
Hunter has been honored to perform at many locations in the region she calls home; this includes hospitals, professional offices, conferences, schools, private gatherings, and other special events. It is always a guess to say who enjoys her performances more: Hunter or her captivated listeners.
Jade Merriman