Channeling the music of her ancestors, Clare Sands is a unique force in Irish music. Weaving traditional roots with Contemporary sounds and influences, Sands sings for the young and the old, brave and the bold. An opening set will be performed by the folk duo Áit Áit.

If the weather is comfortable, the concert will take place outside on the beautiful outdoor stage, if the weather doesn’t cooperate, the concert will be indoors. Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 when purchased at the door. Youth 18 years and under receive free admission.

With deep family roots in Co.Wexford and Northern Ireland, Sands took up the fiddle at the age of three, learning Irish traditional tunes from her father Seamus on a weekly basis, while her mother Susan introduced her to the Blues. After school, Clare went on to study Music & Italian in UCC, and a Masters in Composition & Creative Practice at the Irish World Academy, receiving first class honours. While at university, Clare developed her skills as a bilingual songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, playing ten + instruments!

Since then, Sands has been wowing audiences around the world with her groundbreaking Fearless Folk style and infinite warrior energy. These electrifying live performances see Clare on fiddle, guitar, percussion, vocals & cassette recordings. An unmissable, raw live performer, she brings her audience on an exhilarating journey of celebration, resilience and hope. Performing with the likes of Hothouse Flowers, her musical soul brothers, as well as Kíla, Brian Finnegan, Mary Coughlan & many more – Clare’s free and fearless spirit is never shy.

Throughout 2021 Clare collaborated with Ireland’s finest Folk & Traditional musicians – Susan O’ Neill, Steve Cooney & Tommy Sands, Brídín & Liam Ó Maonlaí. This unique project ‘Tírdhreacha agus Fuaimdhreacha’ was described by The Folk Show, BBC2 as ‘Hypnotic, Tribal, and Full of Life.’

2022 saw the release of Clare’s highly anticipated self-titled album. Earning her a ‘Best Folk Singer’ nomination at the Irish Folk Awards, Irish Times Top 5 Folk albums of 2022, No.1 single ‘Sail On’ featuring on RTÉ 1 and Spotify’s ‘A Breath of Fresh Éire’ playlist, and highly acclaimed praise from the BBC, Songlines Magazine & Folker (DL). Following stand out performances at Glastonbury Festival, Celtic Connections & the Irish Arts Centre NYC last year, Clare will continue to carry her song throughout the UK, Europe & USA in 2023.

Áit Áit (Irish for “strange place”) are an experimental folk duo focused on reinterpretations of traditional songs – dark and deep, bright and sparkling; full of noise and life. Based in Minnesota, Áit Ait is Aja McCullough (song) and Patrick Maun (sound). The two set out to explore the living tradition that is Irish folk music – ever evolving and always changing, a solid footing set in the past but looking towards the future.