Showcase Winners 2025
Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival Showcase:
Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival hosted its annual showcase online over the past few weeks. Entry was open under two categories, groups and solo artists. Competing for a total prize fund of €1,000, plus the winners in each category will be performing as part of the line-up to this year’s 48th anniversary festival, playing alongside names like the legendary Luka Bloom, Pat McManus and Seamie O’Dowd and The Highstool Prophets. The competition was open to folk and traditional musical genres and styles and to all ages and nationalities and has always been an important aspect to the festival as a platform for new and emerging talent on the Folk and Traditional Music scene, past winners include Muireann Bradley, Aoife Scott, The Jeremiahs, Cuig, Billow Wood and Celtic Heritage.
The 2025 winners of the group section is Three Rod Wale who are a folk group based in Galway, featuring Jack McHugh (mandolin and banjo) and siblings Hannah (vocals) and Diarmaid Geever (Guitar). They share a love for folk songs of the British Isles and the Appalachian Mountains. They approach songs, vocals first, with the two lads adding instrumental accompaniment. First meeting at the Roisín Dubh open mic, in Galway City, they have been playing together for nearly a year and are continually developing their repertoire of songs.
The solo winner this year, is local Rian McCauley, with a voice that effortlessly blends heartfelt emotion with raw power, Rian is quickly making a name for himself on the local music scene. Keep an ear out for this promising young artist as he continues to captivate audiences with his unique sound. Rian will have the privilege of opening for Luka Bloom on Saturday 2nd August in the Abbey Arts Centre.
This is their opportunity to be part of the longest running Folk & Traditional Music Festival in Ireland – the group will be the opening act on the Friday night live on the Gig Rig with Suil and The Highstool Prophets. The solo winner will open Saturday night’s concert in the Abbey Arts Centre, opening for the legendary Luka Bloom.
Entries for our 2026 Showcase competition will open early in the New Year – keep an eye on our website, Facebook and Twitter for more information.
