From left: Musicians Tom Morrow, Pauline Scanlon, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and John Doyle, who will soon perform in Tullamore.

Tullamore venue to host outstanding night of traditional music

Published: Wed 12 Aug 2026, 10:07 AM

Esker Arts Centre in Tullamore has been chosen as one of 13 chosen venues to host Music Network's 40th anniversary celebration concerts.

The Offaly venue will play host to a new collaboration featuring four of Ireland’s most outstanding traditional musicians - Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Pauline Scanlon, Tom Morrow and John Doyle, on Thursday, September 24 (8pm) - and the concert will be part of a tour that takes in several other Irish venues, as well as a couple of UK dates.

The tour, according to its official press release, will bring 'musical traditions shaped by different parts of Ireland and beyond, each artist influenced by the place they call home and the musical communities that have inspired them'.

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is one of Ireland's foremost traditional singers and musicians. Best known for her 13 years as lead singer and flute player with Danú, she has also established an outstanding career as a solo performer, broadcaster and collaborator. A leading exponent of the sean-nós tradition, Muireann has earned accolades including Gradam Ceoil TG4 Amhránaí na Bliana and RTÉ Radio Folk Awards Best Folk Singer, while continuing to explore new musical ground through collaborations spanning traditional, classical, world music and electronica. She currently presents Folk on One on RTÉ Radio 1.

Also lending her voice to the line-up is this year's TG4 Gradam Ceoil Amhránaí na Bliana (Singer of the Year) Pauline Scanlon. Since the release of her acclaimed debut album 'Red Colour Sun', Pauline has become one of Ireland's most influential folk artists. Whether performing with 'Lumiere', collaborating with artists including Damien Dempsey and the late Sinéad O'Connor, or re-imagining the songs of Leonard Cohen with 'Bird on the Wire', Pauline is continually expanding the possibilities of traditional song while remaining deeply rooted in its heritage. Alongside her performing career, she is a founding member of FairPlé and has presented music programmes for both TG4 and the BBC.

A member of Dervish since 1998, Tom Morrow has spent almost three decades performing Irish traditional music on the world stage. From Glastonbury to Rio de Janeiro, and as a cultural ambassador on Irish state visits overseas, his expressive fiddle playing has introduced audiences around the globe to Ireland's rich musical tradition. An All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Champion and highly respected collaborator, Tom has performed alongside many of the finest musicians in Irish traditional music throughout his career.

Completing the quartet is John Doyle, one of the most influential guitarists in contemporary Irish traditional music. A founding member of 'Solas' and a regular performer with 'Transatlantic Sessions', his rhythmic guitar style has made him one of the most sought-after accompanists in folk music. John's career has included performances and recordings with Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Liz Carroll, Martin Hayes, Eileen Ivers and Tim O'Brien, alongside a vast body of work as a singer, songwriter and composer.

John Doyle said: "When these engagements happen, it's a chance to do something that's pretty unique for the four of us and may not happen again. It'll be of a moment. We'll create something that we think is good and worthy to come and see because it might not be repeated."

Music Network is Ireland’s national music touring and development organisation, founded by the Arts Council in 1986, to develop and run programmes that make high-quality live music accessible to communities throughout Ireland and help musicians to develop fulfilling careers.

Tour Dates & Venues:

Wednesday, September 16: Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo (8pm)

Thursday, September 17: Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin (8pm)

Friday, September 18: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge Town Hall, Kildare (8pm)

Saturday, September 19: The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim (8pm)

Sunday, September 20: Clifden Arts Festival, Station House Theatre, Clifden, Galway (4pm)

Tuesday, September 22: Music Network at The Sugar Club, Dublin (7.30pm)

Wednesday, September 23: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick (8pm)

Thursday, September 24: Esker Arts Centre, Tullamore, Offaly (8pm)

Friday, September 25: Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford (8pm)

Saturday, September 26: West Cork Music at St Brendan’s Church, Bantry (8pm)

Sunday, September 27: Siamsa Tíre, Tralee, Kerry (8pm)