McNamara Céilí Band

A popular band whose members are all prominent figures on the London Irish scene:

Gary Connolly (accordion) hosts weekly sessions at The Auld Triangle (where he was a founding member of their céilí band). Gary’s musical pursuits have taken him to Hong Kong and seen him on TG4’s Ardán. He also appeared solo in concert at the 2006 Festival.

Kathy Walton (flute) has been part of the London session scene in the twenty years she has lived here. A member of the original London all-female trad band ‘The Sheelas’, Kathy has pioneered numerous adult education classes for Irish music and co-founded ‘Meitheal Cheoil’ (teachers and musicians group in North London) producing CDs, Making tracks and Taking Note with her young students.

Karen Ryan (fiddle) has hosted many regular London sessions down the years, including the Black Horse, Powerhaus and Fiddler’s Elbow. She is a member of ‘The London Lasses’ who launched their third album Enchanted Lady at the 2006 Festival. Karen is a co-founder of and teacher with ‘Meitheal Cheoil’ and co-founder and Director of ‘Return to Camden Town’.

Pete Quinn (keyboard) held a six-year residency with Karen at the Black Horse and he is the accompanist with ‘The London Lasses’. In addition to his work with the Lasses, he has recorded with Mick Mulvey and Seán Casey and has performed in concert with Brendan McGlinchey and Colm O’Donnell among others.