Paul O'Donnell, Co Antrim

From county Antrim in Northern Ireland Paul began his musical career learning classical music on piano when he was about eight years old. Being brought up in an area steeped in traditional Irish music he soon developed a love for it and started playing at feiseanna when he was sixteen. He has progressed from providing piano accompaniment to playing piano accordion and keyboards. He plays regularly at feiseanna in Ireland, the UK and America and has played at many of the major Irish dance competitions including the All Ireland, All Scotland and Australian Nationals.

Away from the world of Irish dancing Paul is well known on the traditional music circuit in Ireland. He is in demand as an accompanist with various bands throughout Northern Ireland. He regularly teaches piano accompaniment workshops and has toured all over the globe with various groups. Paul graduated from Queens University, Belfast with a degree in computer science and currently works as a software developer.

Francis Ward TCRG

Francis is a one of Ireland's most dynamic young piano players. He has performed all over the globe, at music festivals including Celtic Connections and the Tønder Festival, and provided musical accompaniment for all major Irish dance competitions including the World Irish Dance Championships.
Francis has recorded with many young traditional Irish musicians and has provided numerous recordings for Irish dance shows. Francis has several national TV appearances to his credit including a performance with Ireland's most vibrant young ceili band, The Five Counties Ceili Band, at the Rose of Tralee festival as well as on RTE's latest programme showcasing young Irish traditional musicians, ‘The Reel Deal'.
Francis is also a gifted arranger and composer and his talent is in much demand by traditional musicians and Irish dance companies alike. His compositions are performed regularly in the Irish dance world.
Also a dancer, Francis has performed with the world-wide phenomena Riverdance - The Show, and has performed with music groups including Cherish the Ladies . He is also a qualified teacher (TCRG) with An Coimisiún le RIncí Gaelacha, and is involved in teaching at a local and international level.
A graduate of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, Francis is an exceptional young academic, has completed the BA in Irish Music and Dance and an MA in Ethnomusicology, and now pursues doctoral studies investigating the divergent processes of transmission in Irish traditional music.


Kevin Joyce Dublin