Ballincollig Business Association

Liam Flanagan & Friends - BWMF ’26 Trad sessions
2026-01-31 22:30 - 23:30 (Europe/Dublin) | White Horse, The White Horse, West Village, Ballincollig, Cork, P31 YA40, Ireland
The 16th Annual Ballincollig Winter Music Festival is proud to present Liam Flanagan & Friends.
Liam Flanagan is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and versatile fiddle and banjo players in the Irish traditional music scene today. Growing up in a musical household, he began playing at a young age, refining his craft under the guidance of respected teachers like Gary Shannon and Con Herbert.
Liam is a central figure in the acclaimed Cork-based group North Cregg, with whom he has recorded several award-winning albums and toured extensively across the globe. His reputation as a premier instrumentalist has also seen him tour internationally with the legendary band Danú and perform alongside a “who’s who” of traditional music, including Derek Hickey, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, and Ciarán Ó Gealbháin.
His playing is deeply rooted in the rhythmic and expressive styles of the Munster tradition, yet it remains remarkably adaptable, whether he is driving a high-octane festival set or providing nuanced accompaniment in a studio setting. A popular teacher at major summer schools, Liam’s contribution to the music is defined by both his technical mastery and a career dedicated to bringing the sounds of Cork to international audiences.

Eoin, Elaine & Seami Coughlan - BWMF ’26 Trad sessions
2026-02-01 18:00 - 20:30 | White Horse, The White Horse, West Village, Ballincollig, Cork, P31 YA40, Ireland
The 16th Annual Ballincollig Winter Music Festival is proud to present Eoin, Elaine & Seami Coughlan.
Eoin, Elaine, and Seami Coughlan represent a powerhouse of multi-instrumental talent and vocal harmony. As siblings, their musical connection is intuitive, forged through years of playing together in the vibrant session scene of Munster.
Eoin Coughlan is a central figure in the Irish music landscape, widely recognized as the former frontman of the internationally acclaimed group Nomos. A virtuosic guitarist and songwriter, Eoin has toured the world sharing stages with icons like Emmylou Harris and Billy Bragg. His career spans traditional mastery and contemporary folk, with his solo work and his duo The OARS receiving significant critical acclaim for their driving rhythms and soulful lyricism.
Elaine Coughlan brings a distinct elegance to the trio, known for her skillful playing and a voice that carries the authentic weight of the Cork singing tradition. Her contributions to the local trad scene and her collaborative work with various ensembles have made her a respected name among peers. Like her brothers, she grew up in an environment where music was a daily language, a background that shines through in her fluid, melodic style.
Seami Coughlan rounds out the trio with a rhythmic energy and instrumental prowess that anchors their collective sound. Together, the Coughlan siblings offer a performance that is both a celebration of family heritage and a display of world-class musicianship. Their sets are known for a seamless blend of lively instrumental sets and moving vocal arrangements, embodying the living, breathing heart of Cork’s traditional music community.

Sean Murphy - BWMF ’26 @ Tradehouse
2026-02-01 18:30 - 20:30 | Tradehouse Central, Main Street, Ballincollig, Cork, P31YK16, Ireland

Loungeman - BWMF ’26 @ Mary O's
2026-02-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Mary O’Connell’s, 8 Main Street, Ballincollig, Cork, P31TW88, Ireland

Lisa Hannigan – BWMF ’26
2026-02-01 20:30 - 23:00 | White Horse, The White Horse, West Village, Ballincollig, Cork, P31 YA40, Ireland
The 16th Annual Ballincollig Winter Music Festival 2026 proudly presents Lisa Hannigan.
Lisa Hannigan is a versatile Irish folk singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and voice actor, whose solo musical career has spanned 18 years. Hannigan released her debut album, Sea Sew in 2008, which earned her nominations for a Choice award in Ireland and a Mercury Music Prize in the UK. Since then Lisa has released Passenger (2011) and At Swim (2016) to huge critical acclaim in Ireland and the United States. 2019 saw the release of Live in Dublin recorded in the National Concert Hall with the contemporary-classical orchestra, s t a r g a z e. Following her sold out collaboration with the Irish Arts Center in New York earlier this year, Lisa Hannigan brought this very special production home with five dates around the country last November. It was so well received that the group are touring around some very special venues throughout 2025.

Big Generator - BWMF ’26 @ Tradehouse
2026-02-01 22:00 - 23:30 | Tradehouse Central, Main Street, Ballincollig, Cork, P31YK16, Ireland

Tim O’Riordan & Ger Murphy - BWMF ’26 @ Mary O's
2026-02-01 22:00 - 23:30 | Mary O’Connell’s, 8 Main Street, Ballincollig, Cork, P31TW88, Ireland

I Draw Slow
2026-04-03 20:30 - 23:00 | White Horse, The White Horse, West Village, Ballincollig, Cork, P31 YA40, Ireland
Venue favourites I Draw Slow bring their mesmerising Celtic-Appalachian sound for a much anticipated return visit to The White Horse.

For over 15 years, Dublin-based I Draw Slow has been at the forefront of redefining acoustic roots music, masterfully bridging the gap between Irish storytelling and American Appalachian and bluegrass traditions. This award- winning quintet, led by sibling singer-songwriters Dave and Louise Holden, creates a compelling, cohesive sound built on intricate fiddle (Adrian Hart), driving banjo (Ryan mcAuley), and resonant double bass (Konrad Liddy).
Their critically acclaimed journey includes five studio albums, with their last two released on Nashville’s premier independent label, Compass Records. Their fourth album, “Turn Your Face to the Sun,” hit #1 on the Irish charts, earning a Gold Disc from IMRO. Their latest self-titled album, released in September 2022, has been met with widespread critical praise, solidifying their unique sonic identity.
Beyond recordings, I Draw Slow’s music has found a home in film, TV, and major advertising campaigns (including Kerrygold). They are known for their high-production music videos featuring talents like actor Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones) and award-winning directors.
Renowned for exceptional songwriting, their true power is revealed on stage. Their live performances are a captivating, must-see experience, building a dedicated international following. They have fully established themselves on the North American acoustic scene, completing over 35 tours across the U.S. and Canada since 2013 and gracing all major festivals.

‘Gritty as it is beautiful’ Country Music Television (US)
‘exquisite..this Dublin five piece don’t make mistakes’ The Sunday Times
‘a confident and distinctive blend of American bluegrass and Irish sensibility…something special’ The Irish Times
‘what I Draw Slow has created seems like a fully natural evolution’ Bluegrass Today, US
‘Flat out brilliant’ Folk Radio UK
‘I Draw Slow are one of the most beguiling and singular acts currently on the circuit’ The Irish Independent

Andy McKee
2026-04-18 20:00 - 23:00 | White Horse, The White Horse, West Village, Ballincollig, Cork, P31 YA40, Ireland
First Cork performance from world-renowned acoustic guitar virtuoso Andy McKee, celebrating the release of his new EP Symbol.
Andy McKee is among the world’s top acoustic guitarists, known for his dynamic energy, melodic focus, and masterful technique. After nearly a decade without new studio releases, he returns with Symbol, a six-track EP out September 17 on Mythmaker Records and Cruzen Street Records.
“These are my interpretations of tunes that inspired me,” says McKee. The EP reimagines works by major influences like Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, Billy McLaughlin, and Prince. Its lead single, “Ragamuffin,” pays tribute to Hedges, whose ability to write emotionally resonant solo guitar music deeply shaped McKee’s style.
A standout moment is McKee’s haunting take on Prince’s “Purple Rain.” Having toured with Prince in 2012, McKee first arranged the song for the “Welcome 2 Australia” shows. “Prince taught me to keep the music—not the technique—at the forefront,” he recalls.
Other highlights include Preston Reed’s “Chattanooga,” which McKee calls “one of the finest fingerstyle pieces ever written,” and the “Rocky IV Medley,” created with Vince DiCola, whose soundtrack compositions inspired McKee as a child.
Renowned for transforming the steel-string guitar into a one-man orchestra through tapping, altered tunings, and percussive techniques, McKee has earned millions of YouTube views—his song “Drifting” alone surpassing 60 million. He’s been featured on the covers of Acoustic Guitar and Acoustic magazines and hosts his own guitar retreat, Musicarium. His global tours have spanned Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, sharing stages with icons like Tommy Emmanuel and Dream Theater.

Rónán Ó Snodaigh And Myles O’Reilly
2026-04-25 20:30 - 23:00 | White Horse, The White Horse, West Village, Ballincollig, Cork, P31 YA40, Ireland
Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O’Reilly bring together rhythm, language and immersive sound in one of the most quietly distinctive collaborations in contemporary Irish music. A founding member of Kíla, Ó Snodaigh’s voice moves between chant, song and incantation, shaped by the Irish language and decades of boundary-blurring performance. Composer and filmmaker O’Reilly builds spacious, atmospheric environments where words are given room to breathe and unfold. Together they favour presence over spectacle, creating live performances that feel less like concerts and more like shared, attentive gatherings, intimate, hypnotic and emotionally direct.
The duos second album The Beautiful Road, a soulful blend of folk, traditional and ambient crossover follows the success of their debut album Tá Go Maith, which was warmly received by Irish audiences after its release in May 2020.
In The Beautiful Road the pair set out to create a soothing listening experience by focusing on higher frequencies, inspired by the calming effects of nature, while also seeking to counter the increased levels of intrusive ambient ‘white noise’ caused by traffic, machinery, and other unpredictable sounds arising from the world’s post pandemic return to frenzied norms.

Altan
2026-05-03 20:00 - 23:00 | White Horse, The White Horse, West Village, Ballincollig, Cork, P31 YA40, Ireland
Altan return to The White Horse for a much anticipated night of live traditional music.
Altan, one of the leading forces in Irish traditional music, are celebrating 40 years on the road with a series of special concerts at home and abroad.
For four decades, the band have been at the forefront of the tradition, blending the raw energy of their native Donegal fiddle style with a rare melodic sensitivity. Their most recent album Donegal, released by Compass Records, has been widely praised and has seen the band enjoy renewed energy and demand both in Ireland and internationally.
Led by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Altan remain one of the most respected and influential groups in traditional music.
“Altan’s special strength is the clarity and coordination of its textures.” — New York Times
This concert forms part of the Cork Fleadh Fringe programme, as traditional musicians of all ages gather in Ballincollig from May 4–10 for Fleadh Cheoil Chorcaí 2026, hosted by the Craobh Niall Ó Cathasaigh CCÉ branch.

Thomas Green — Live at The White Horse
2026-05-08 20:30 - 23:00 | White Horse, The White Horse, West Village, Ballincollig, Cork, P31 YA40, Ireland
Thomas Green — Live at The White Horse
MC: Chris Kent
One of Australia’s best comedy exports, Thomas Green lands at The White Horse Comedy Club fresh off a sell-out tour.
Fast, sharp and completely unfiltered, his stand-up dives into the chaos of real life — impulsive, random and often ridiculous.
He’s sold out Edinburgh, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne Comedy Festivals, released his debut special End of Daze (2024), and has toured with Mo Gilligan, Jason Manford, Russell Kane and Adam Rowe.
“Incredible comic.” — Mo Gilligan
“Seriously funny…” — Russell Kane
★★★★ ‘…proof you don’t need a gimmick to be great.’ — The List
Joining him on the night is Mike Morgan — Show Me The Funny Winner, Coco Comedian of the Year 2022, and one to watch.

Kenan Flannery & Colm Gavin: The Dublin Songwriters Tour
2026-05-09 20:00 - 23:00 | White Horse, The White Horse, West Village, Ballincollig, Cork, P31 YA40, Ireland
Dublin’s most celebrated troubadours bring their acclaimed co-headline tour to The White Horse, featuring special guest Kevin Quigley.
Kenan Flannery & Colm Gavin: The Dublin Songwriters Tour
With Special Guest Kevin Quigley
Experience a night of masterclass songwriting as two of Dublin’s most celebrated troubadours bring their acclaimed co-headline tour to the intimate surroundings of The White Horse.
Kenan Flannery is a “storyteller for the damned and broken.” At 26, this IYMA award-winning songwriter has become the talk of the Irish folk scene for music described as “bone-breakingly beautiful.” With a voice that hits with the raw intensity of a hundred Irish poets, Kenan bridges the gap between the gritty ballads of The Dubliners and the legendary American folk of John Prine and Townes Van Zandt. Fresh from supporting The White Buffalo and The Wolfe Tones, Kenan brings an authentic, haunting energy to the stage that is as visceral as it is vulnerable.
Joining him is Colm Gavin, a prolific force in contemporary Irish music. Signed to BEO Records (home to Moya Brennan), Gavin has secured multiple No. 1 albums and has seen his work reach the Billboard 100 in the USA. Renowned for his razor-sharp wit and sensitive, soaring compositions, Colm has graced iconic stages from Vicar Street to New York’s Birdland Jazz Club, establishing himself as a singular voice in modern songwriting.
Opening the evening is Cork-based folk artist Kevin Quigley. Originally from Laois, Quigley has quickly become a standout figure in the southern scene, recently supporting the legendary Mary Black. His music is a heartfelt blend of intimate country-folk and indie-rock, drawing on the honesty of Glen Hansard and Bob Dylan. With his recent EP Catch You Down the Road receiving critical acclaim, Kevin sets the tone for a night dedicated to the art of the song.
“The essence of folk music in its rawest and most authentic form.”

Jimmy MacCarthy with Declan Sinnott and the Electric Horsemen
2026-05-25 20:00 - 22:30, 2026-06-01 20:00 - 22:30, 2026-06-08 20:00 - 22:30, 2026-06-15 20:00 - 22:30 | White Horse, The White Horse, West Village, Ballincollig, Cork, P31 YA40, Ireland
We are thrilled to present a residency feat. Jimmy MacCarthy w/ Declan Sinnott & the Electric Horsemen playing some of Jimmy’s beloved songs
Jimmy MacCarthy is arguably Ireland’s greatest songwriter, creator of such rare gems of songs such as Ride On, No Frontiers, Missing You, Katie, Mystic Lipstick amongst many, many others.
We are honoured to host four special nights where Jimmy will be accompanied by Declan Sinnott and the Electric Horsemen to perfom some of his most well known songs.
Pick up a ticket – be the one in years to come to say “I was there”.
