Cian Kissane comes from a very musical family and was encouraged to take up the banjo by his father Dominic who played accordion. He grew up near Ballybunion, Co. Kerry and was influenced by the unique North Kerry style of the region. He learned tunes from Anne and Nicky Mcauliffe, John Larkin and Brian Friel and at an early age performed at at Siamsa Tíre, The National Folk Theatre of Ireland, Tralee. Cian was a member of Ballydonohue/Lisselton CCE and received numerous awards as a young player in both group and solo competitions at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann. While still in his early teens, Cian was part of the group Claisín who for many years performed around County Kerry. They did record an album and is available by request but only on cassette tape!

In 2014, in his new home of Perth, Australia, and after a long break from performing, Cian met fiddler Rob Zielinski (aka Stafford). Together with Phil Waldron and Jackie Lynch O Dwyer they formed the group Siar – which is Irish for westerly. In April, Siar are guests at Fairbridge Folk Festival where they are described as producing “Lively and haunting Irish Trad. at it’s very best.”

Jeremy Dunlop has been a sought after musician and teacher for 20 years. As a guitarist he has played with many fine folk musicians including the Simon Bradley Trio, Luke Plumb, Laura Targett, Jenny Fitzgibbon and many more. Jeremy’s main passion is Irish traditional music but his versatility extends to other styles and instruments.  He is qualified in secondary teaching and has many years experience teaching guitar, fiddle and various ensembles at schools, music camps and folk festivals throughout Australia.

Dougal Adams is one of Australia’s finest flute players and has long been acknowledged, particularly among his peers, as one the Irish flute’s finest local exponents.

Glasgow born, Western Australian raised, Dougal’s love of traditional dance music began with the Highland pipes. In his late teens he became interested in Irish music and transferred to playing the tin whistle.  A trip to Ireland in the early 1980s led to a fascination with the flute which has become his favoured instrument.

Over the years Dougal has performed with various groups and prior to moving to Melbourne, had a long running duo with concertina player Ormonde Waters which produced the recording “The Good Ear” He has also taught flute and presented workshops for Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann in Perth. In October 2015, Dougal with Ben Stephenson and Ado Barker of “Trouble in the Kitchen” fame, released their CD “The Freewheeler”.

Susan Miller is Irish born, plays and teaches button accordion, concertina, fiddle and piano. She is currently living in Sydney and teaches at the Gaelic Club.

In Australia, Susan has played at numerous international festivals including The National Folk Festival, Canberra and the National Celtic Festival, Victoria as a member of the bands Restless Legs and Shamrock Sheilas. Inspired by legendary musicians such as master accordionist Joe Burke and 1992 All-Ireland senior button accordion champion Ned Kelly, Susan spent every summer at the Willie Clancy Festival in County Clare and Joe Mooney Festival, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim.

Susan has numerous All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil medals for both solo and ceili band competitions, in addition to winning the 2014 GAA Scor All Ireland Final. Prior to studying pharmacy in University College Cork, she joined Bru Boru music group, based in County Tipperary and has performed internationally with this group.

Susan will be bringing her accordion to Ceol Aneas.

John McEvoy hails from Birmingham, UK. Though his music is heavily influenced by the fiddle masters of Sligo, and west Clare John has his own unique ornate style, expressive and encompassing considerable flair. Previous releases include the critically acclaimed albums ‘The Kilmore Fancy’ with his sister Catherine McEvoy and ‘Pride of the West’ his exciting collaboration with Roscommon’s John Wynne. ‘Traditional Irish Fiddle’ represents John’s love of solo and duet playing and features some new compositions and a variety of guest musicians.

John Wynne is one of the finest flute players of his time. From Roscommon town, John was naturally drawn to playing in the celebrated North Connaught flute style. John released his solo debut album entitled “With every Breath” in Late 2000. The album was launched in style to a great crowd in the Temple Hotel on the 12th of November 2000 as part of the Ennis trad festival. The album has since won critical acclaim, well known musical writer and critic Eule Hatchner placed “with every breath” in his top 20 albums for the year 2001.