The 45^th Cork Folk Festival presents award-winning UK songwriter Seth Lakeman with supporting act Moynihan.

Seth Lakeman is an English folk artist born in Devon in the UK. He is a multi-instrumentalist, playing violin, guitar, banjo, violin and mandolin, and is known for his rhythmic, chordal fiddle parts, which he can play and sing over simultaneously. He often writes songs about sailors, soldiers and miners, as well as traditional songs and songs inspired by legends of the southern English coastlines

Seth was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005 for ‘Kitty Jay’.  Seth’s thrilling solo performance of the eponymous title track on live television won him unanimous praise and started him on an incredible solo journey which has included record deals, 11 album releases (including 6 Top 40), BBC Radio 2 playlisted singles, a clutch of awards and touring all over the world. 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the album’s release.

Seth released his latest and 11th studio album Make Your Mark in November 2021. The album features 14 powerful, brand-new songs including the singles ‘Higher We Aspire’ and title track ‘Make Your Mark’, which were playlisted at BBC Radio 2. Seth was also delighted to be asked in late 2022 to record on Van Morrison’s new album Moving On Skiffle, which was released in March this year and he collaborated with Public Service Broadcasting. He has previously worked and toured extensively with Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) with his band the Sensational Space Shifters.

 
Moynihan are a trio of musical siblings from Cork City, Deirdre Moynihan on fiddle & vocals, Diarmaid Moynihan on uilleann pipes & whistles and Donncha Moynihan on guitar. Three of Ireland’s leading traditional musicians, they were founding members of the ground breaking band Calico. They are delighted to return to Cork to showcase music from their wonderful new album entitled Black Brook. The album takes its name from one of the tributaries, which flows into the river Lee at the mouth of Cork harbour. These extraordinary musicians have recorded and toured with many renowned artists such as Lunasa, Flook, Carlos Nuñez and Alain Stivell. Inspired by their individual and collective musical journeys, their music draws on diverse creative influences and combines traditional Irish music with contemporary material written by the band.

“Takes listeners to a refreshingly new level in traditional Irish Music” Irish Music Magazine

“A remarkable collection…one of the albums of the year” 5 stars, The Irish Times