Deirdre Hurley is a flute and tin whistle player from Ballymote, Co. Sligo, who learned her music from her father Michael, a stalwart of the traditional music scene in South Sligo, and from the many accomplished musicians of the area.

Over the years she has taught and performed at many festivals and events in Ireland and abroad, including, most recently, a month-long residency at the World Expo in Dubai. During her many years living in Dublin, she was a regular session leader in the celebrated Cobblestone pub, and was featured on the Thursday Sessions album released by the pub. She has made television appearances on RTÉ’s Fleadh Cheoil and TG4’s Tradfest Temple Bar and Slí na mBeaglaoich.

She was recently invited to contribute to ITMA’s Drawing from the Well series with her sister Mairéad, and subsequently performed in the National Concert Hall as part of a concert based on the series.

Conor McDonagh
Conor McDonagh is a flute player from Killavil, Co Sligo. From a young age, Conor showed great promise and his mastery of his chosen instrument belies his youth. He is widely recognised as a special talent and while his playing style is deeply rooted in the South Sligo tradition his music reflects his own flair and personality. Having attended the whistle and flute classes at the South Sligo Summer School as a young boy, Conor is looking forward to now giving summer school attendees a start on the traditional flute.

Stephen Doherty hails from Foxford, Co. Mayo in the West of Ireland. He began learning music at the age of 4 and through his teenage years began to accumulate numerous all-Ireland medals on whistle, bodhrán, drums, accordion and is a two-time All-Ireland champion on the Melodeon and a senior All-Ireland Champion on the flute.

In the past few years he has shared the stage with artists like, Lúnasa, Sean Keane, Dolores Keane, We Banjo 3, Dougie MacLean, Michael McGoldrick, Dermot Byrne, Slide & Sharon Shannon and has had recording sessions in Nashville with Alison Brown and Tim O’Brien. He has performed in over 20 countries to date and has also featured on RTE’s ‘Nationwide’, ‘The Late Late Show’ and ‘The View’ and on TG4′s ‘Geantraí & ‘Hup’ programmes.

John Wynne is one of the most prominent flute players in the scene today. He is steeped and immersed in the North Connaught flute playing tradition.

From a young age John has had success in All Ireland competitions. He was a member of the successful group, Providence, touring and recording two albums with them, self titled “Providence”(2000) and “A Fig for a Kiss”(2001). John released a critically acclaimed first solo CD,”With Every Breath”, in 2000. In 2009 he released his second solo recording, titled ”Ar Nós na Gaoithe – Like the Wind”. The album received favourable reviews from The Irish Times and Irish Music Magazine, among others. “Here is a master musician playing for pure pleasure – and it’s a pleasure to hear him”(Irish Music Magazine). “The effervescence of his rhythmical style is a better mood enhancer than any chemical concoction”(The Irish Times).

In 2007, John released the much acclaimed ”Pride of the West”, a fiddle/flute album with John McEvoy, and the duet has been busy touring and gigging on the scene since. “Pride of the West” was voted in the top ten releases of 2007 by esteemed US reviewer, Earle Hitchner and was followed on with their second fiddle and flute duet recording, "The Dancer at the Fair", released in 2024.

John is also busy teaching whistle and flute during the year in Roscommon, and is sought after during the year at Workshops and Winter/Summer schools in Ireland and beyond.

John is a member of Roscommon Trad Arts Forum, which has two CDs, “The Flute Players of Roscommon, Volumes1 & 2", and he has been involved in other projects for the Forum.

Finally, John has great experience in organising concerts and festivals, such as “Féile Frank McGann” and “The Reel Thing”, a series of trad concerts in conjunction with Roscommon Arts Centre.

Stephen Doherty hails from Foxford, Co. Mayo in the West of Ireland. He began learning music at the age of 4 and through his teenage years began to accumulate numerous all-Ireland medals on whistle, bodhrán, drums, accordion and is a two-time All-Ireland champion on the Melodeon and a senior All-Ireland Champion on the flute.

In the past few years he has shared the stage with artists like, Lúnasa, Sean Keane, Dolores Keane, We Banjo 3, Dougie MacLean, Michael McGoldrick, Dermot Byrne, Slide & Sharon Shannon and has had recording sessions in Nashville with Alison Brown and Tim O’Brien. He has performed in over 20 countries to date and has also featured on RTE’s ‘Nationwide’, ‘The Late Late Show’ and ‘The View’ and on TG4′s ‘Geantraí & ‘Hup’ programmes.

Deirdre Hurley is a flute and tin whistle player from Ballymote, Co. Sligo, who learned her music from her father Michael, a stalwart of the traditional music scene in South Sligo, and from the many accomplished musicians of the area.

Over the years she has taught and performed at many festivals and events in Ireland and abroad, including, most recently, a month-long residency at the World Expo in Dubai. During her many years living in Dublin, she was a regular session leader in the celebrated Cobblestone pub, and was featured on the Thursday Sessions album released by the pub. She has made television appearances on RTÉ’s Fleadh Cheoil and TG4’s Tradfest Temple Bar and Slí na mBeaglaoich.

She was recently invited to contribute to ITMA’s Drawing from the Well series with her sister Mairéad, and subsequently performed in the National Concert Hall as part of a concert based on the series.

Conor McDonagh
Conor McDonagh is a flute player from Killavil, Co Sligo. From a young age, Conor showed great promise and his mastery of his chosen instrument belies his youth. He is widely recognised as a special talent and while his playing style is deeply rooted in the South Sligo tradition his music reflects his own flair and personality. Having attended the whistle and flute classes at the South Sligo Summer School as a young boy, Conor is looking forward to now giving summer school attendees a start on the traditional flute.