Where: Bridgend Bar, Ballyshannon
When: Sunday 2nd August 2026 – 12.30pm
As part of the Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival, “When Johnny Meets John Prine” is the latest instalment in the festival’s highly anticipated “Legend Sessions.” These unique fringe events act as time-bending tributes where two deceased musical giants—who had a massive influence on our musical heritage—are imagined having travelled through time and space to share a local session.
This year’s gig imagines an extraordinary musical conversation between the legendary Donegal travelling fiddler Johnny Doherty and the iconic American singer-songwriter John Prine. This “distanced” but deeply connected musical exchange is brought to life by modern-day performers Seamie O’Dowd (taking on the role of Johnny Doherty) and Brian O’Sullivan (as John Prine).
The Historical Legends
Johnny Doherty (1900–1980)
Johnny Doherty was one of Ireland’s most revered traditional fiddle players. Born in Ardara, County Donegal, into a family of travelling tinsmiths and musicians, Doherty lived the lifestyle of a traditional traveller. He walked the roads of Donegal for most of his life, offering his tin smithing skills and playing music in exchange for local hospitality.
He developed a highly personal and virtuosic style of playing that encapsulated the very essence of the Donegal fiddle tradition. His tone was so revered that adjudicators famously compared it to the classical great Fritz Kreisler. Doherty died in the Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon in 1980, leaving a lasting tie between his massive legacy and the town.
John Prine was an immensely influential American country-folk singer-songwriter. Known for his raspy voice and an extraordinary ability to write humorous, poignant, and socially conscious lyrics, Prine earned multiple Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award over his five-decade career.
Beyond his Americana roots, Prine had a deep, enduring connection to Ireland. He owned a home in Kinvara, County Galway, where he was a beloved regular in the local pubs and music sessions. He frequently collaborated with Irish artists and fully embraced the traditional music scene before his passing in 2020.
The Performers
Seamie O’Dowd (Performing as Johnny Doherty)
A renowned Sligo-based guitarist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, Seamie O’Dowd effortlessly crosses the boundaries between traditional Irish music, rock, and blues. A former member of the trad supergroup Dervish, O’Dowd has toured the world and collaborated with countless luminaries in Celtic music. O’Dowd is no stranger to the festival’s “Legend Sessions” format, having facilitated the musical recreation of Johnny Doherty since it’s inception at the festival.
Brian O’Sullivan (Performing as John Prine)
Brian O’Sullivan is an accomplished musician from Donegal Town. O’Sullivan steps into the role of the American folk giant. He is tasked with bringing the unique wit, warmth, and unmistakable acoustic picking style of John Prine to the stage, ensuring the tribute captures the authentic spirit of the beloved songwriter.