The Gothard Sisters
Festival CO-Headliner
Festival CO-Headliner
Confirmed for 2019!
The Gothard Sisters are a dynamic musical group of three sisters who play contemporary Celtic music. Through 10 years performing, touring and writing music together, the optimistic style of their music and performances continue to resonate with their fans, building a loyal international following.
Their latest all-original album release, Midnight Sun, reached #6 on the Billboard World Music charts as the highest ranking debut on the chart, and the Gothard Sisters have performed in venues large and small all over the country, including a concert at the Kennedy Center's Millennium stage in Washington DC, performances with Disney Cruise line in Europe, music festivals and performing arts venues nationwide.
Blending Celtic, folk, classical, world and northwest musical influences, the Gothard Sisters bring songs to life with violin, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bodhran, djembe, octave violin, whistle and vocal harmonies, creating music that is "vivid, inspirational and captivating." (Tim Carroll, Folk Words Review 2018)
Writing and recording near their home in the Pacific Northwest between touring nationally, the band has released 7 albums and has performed over 1,000 live shows over the course of their career.
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"[The Gothard Sisters] are no new girls on the block, they are at the top of their game and one of the industry's best kept secrets to those who've never heard them. It's all fireworks on this album full of superior songwriting, singing and playing by three professional sisters who know their craft inside out."
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- Scott Carlito, Indie Band Guru
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"[The Gothard Sisters] have perfected their handling of Celtic-influenced contemporary folk... the true magic comes from their ability to craft music both fresh as sunrise and yet drenched in tradition."
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- Tim Carroll, Folk Words Review
Musical Entertainment 2019
Barleyjuice
Festival CO-Headliner
Confirmed for 2019 !
With six studio albums and a double CD collection in their sporrans to date, these five spirited yanks are currently one of the most beloved celtic rock bands in the USA. Frontmen Kyf Brewer and Keith "Swanny" Swanson lithely cover lead vocals, guitars, accordion, harmonica, mandolin, bouzouki, and bagpipes. Both originally piped in the Loch Rannoch Pipe Band, and performed in Edinburgh’s Millennium March for Prince Charles. While Swanson was once a member of New York’s legendary Flailin’ Shilaleghs, Kyf’s been a pro performer since his first band, The Ravyns, produced the hit "Raised on the Radio" for the 1982 film Fast Times At Ridgemont High.
Backing Brewer & Swanson are a mad trio of characters: captivating fiddler Alice O'Quirke, whose classical roots stray to Irish & bluegrass in the middle of the most authentic jigs & hornpipes; drummer John Tracey, a powerhouse of driving decadence; and hopping bassist Eric Worthington, musical snake-charmer of the deep and dulcet.
The ayes have it - Barleyjuice is a grand group of talented tunesmiths and prodigious performers, and the absolute best time you can have at a concert without removing your kilt.
CONFIRMED FOR 2019!
The versatile repertoire of Irishtown Road consists of traditional Irish songs and some traditionally arranged original work featuring intricate vocal harmonies and instrumental variety. With two albums to their credit and another in the works, the Adams-York area’s longest-tenured Irish musical group is in their 18th year of performing together. In that time, the band has firmly established themselves as a fixture in the regional Celtic music scene. Irishtown Road enjoys playing year-round to enthusiastic crowds at concerts, festivals, pubs, weddings, wakes, special events and other venues in Pennsylvania and Maryland following the tradition that for each band member can be traced back to their Irish ancestry.
Did you know that in early 1999, this festival was just a vision of Irishtown Road's front man Brian Colgan, along with Vance Sheffer & Tom Shaeffer? The plan was a social get together with a little music an beer? But that little get together quickly turned into the Adams County Irish Festival, held that first year in Irishtown, PA.
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Irish Blessing
Confirmed for 2019!
Irish Blessing, the acclaimed York, Pa based family band, intensely & unapologetically carries on the purest forms of traditional Irish music & dance.
Cushla Srour: Hailing from New Zealand with Celtic roots, Cushla is the driving force behind the band. She is totally immersed in the music & dance culture of Ireland & plays piano, flute & whistles. When not performing, she often emcees at Irish Festivals & judges Irish music competitions at feisanna.
Jim Srour: With distant Irish roots & a love of many musical genres, Jim began enjoying Celtic music after meeting Cushla over 30 years ago. Playing Bodhran, flute & low whistle, he also is the sound engineer for the band.
Jonathon Srour: With many talents including World Championship level of Irish Dance( 5th in World, 3 time Senior Belt Holder of N. America, Michael Flately’s Lord of the Dance, The Magic of Ireland, America’s Got Talent,) Jonathon is also a much sought after, Irish flute soloist. Just don't ask him to sing!
Joshua: Like his brother, Josh is also a World Championship level Irish dancer, having competed in Ireland, Scotland & all over N. America. Naturally talented on the fiddle, his Irish melodies are haunting, captivating & hard driving at the same time. Toes begin to tap when Josh picks up the bow!
Both brothers have qualified & competed at World Championships in Irish Dance & Music. A feat paralleled by few.
Peter Brice: Peter Brice is a ballad singer, button accordion player, and embedded musicologist from Annapolis, Maryland. His work blends musicianship with folklore and history, and reflects his appreciation for traditional culture across the 18th and 19th centuries. After several seasons studying the Srour people from a distance, in 2013 he was at last permitted to approach after gaining the trust of the matriarch. A documentary film about his fieldwork, "Irish Blessing: The Srourdid Story" will premiere this spring on public television.
Darby Beat
Dan and Ali are local Gettysburg favorites when is comes to music of any type, and their fine harmonies and guitar playing will mesmerize you. Their two-hour shows at The Garryowen start at 6pm, but often don;t stop until midnite or later. Dan Diviney says their rendition of The Lakes of Ponchartrain and Arthur McBride just might be better than Paul Brady's version from his younger days.
Take one part Dan & Ali, and add one part Jack, on drums and you have Darby Beat. They appeared at the Dills Celtic Festival last year and were quickly rebooked for 2019.
Pickin' & Grinnin'
Children's Show
Confirmed for 2019 !
Husband and wife team, Ted and Susie Tomalewski, have been entertaining throughout the Four State Area since 2004. Their combination of Appalachian Style clog dancing, guitar and flute playing, fun song singing, joke telling and audience interaction will warm your heart and lift your spirits. They have recently added a Celtic Children's Set for the young and the young at heart. They will have you grinnin' in no time!
Entertainment Schedule
Main Stage
10:00 Festival Opens
11:00-11:30 Opening Ceremony & Welcome; Stage Announcements
11:30 - 12:30 Darby Beat
1:00 - 2:00 Irish Blessing
2:30 - 3:30 Irishtown Road
4:00 - 5:00 The Gothard Sisters - Co-Headliner
5:30-6:30 Barleyjuice Co-Headliner
Pavilion
11:00-11:30 TBD
12:30-1:00 Pickin' & Grinnin' Children's Show
2:00 - 2:30 Pickin' & Grinnin' Children's Show
3:30 - 4:00 TBD
5:00 - 5:30 TBD
