August 15 & 16, 2009
Featuring fantastic entertainment from the Emerald Isles, plus world-class Irish-American bands. Dozens of authentic Irish vendors, traditional foods, and plenty of beverages.
Sunday features a Bagpipe Competition, followed by the spectacular Mass March as hundreds of pipers and drummers march down the mountain in unison. After the Mass March, the entire procession will play as one at the base of the mountain - it's a spine-tingling sight that is not to be missed. Click here for Pipe Band Registration Information
Pricing: $14 adults, 12 & under are FREE. Purchase Discounted Tickets On-line!
Group rate: $8 (15 or more people) - On-line Group Reservation Form
Seven Nations
The Name Seven Nations refers to the Celtic World, now known as Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, The Isle of Man and parts of Spain. The Band Seven Nations is known as explosive, dynamic and powerful as they blend bagpipes and fiddles with blazing electric guitars and drums. The musical sounds of Seven Nations will make you want you to get up and move with the beat, and the band’s overwhelming abundance of spirit, enthusiasm and energy will keep the crowd begging for more. Seven Nations have appeared at the Winter Olympics in Salt lake City, on their own PBS TV special “An Evening with Seven Nations,” on CNN, and the band has been sponsored by Dewar’s Scotch that featured Seven Nations in national print campaign with exposure in over 20 major magazine. Seven Nations... one of America’s most widely recognized Celtic Bands. Website
Black 47
Black 47 espouses an unblinkingly political and thoroughly Irish form of rock 'n' roll, with songs covering topics from the Northern Ireland conflict to civil rights and urban unrest in contemporary New York. Black 47 earned their chops playing the pub scene in Manhattan and self-producing their first indie record, Black 47, before converting The Cars' Ric Ocasek to the cause and gaining mainstream attention with their second album. Website
Enter the Haggis
Over the past three albums and five years, Toronto’s Celtic rock band Enter The Haggis has found itself at the center of a grassroots success story ever teetering on the brink of mainstream success. From playing Celtic festivals to headlining them, and from the festival circuit to selling out multiple nights in rock venues, ETH has blazed a path with heavy and almost constant touring up and down the East Coast, to Canada, the West Coast and back again, winning over success one fan, one town, one region at a time.
The band has made waves in the genre, landing high Billboard and iTunes World Music chart positions as well as major television appearances on shows like Live With Regis And Kelly, A&E Breakfast With the Arts and PBS’ popular program Out of Ireland, with its multi-influence style of Celtic rock. It’s the kind of overall sound and devotion package that has created not only die-hard fans, but “Haggis Heads” that follow the band from gig to gig. Website
Young Dubliners
Seamlessly blending their rock and Celtic influences into a high energy, anthemic and lyrically poignant mix, the band whose lineup since 2002 includes co-founder Keith Roberts (vocals, guitar), fellow Dubliner Brendan Holmes (bass, vocals), American-born members Bob Boulding (guitar, vocals), Chas Waltz (violin, keyboards, harp, mandolin, vocals) and Dave Ingraham (drums, percussion)--jumps energetically from ballad to barn burner, documenting as they go the vibrant yet chaotic world they find themselves in. From edgy political tunes to the travails of life in an internationally touring band, Saints and Sinners chronicles and tackles it all with joy, wit, enthusiasm and a profound belief that things can get better. They're joined once again by Uillean pipe and pennywhistle master Eric Rigler, famed for his film work on the Titanic and Braveheart soundtracks, who has appeared on the bands last three albums and is a regular touring member. Website
Hair of the Dog
Together since 1993, Hair Of The Dog has entertained thousands of fans of all ages with their unique blend of Celtic folk/rock. Their high energy sound, smooth four-part harmonies and tight instrumental attack has made them one of the top Irish acts in the world.
Hair Of The Dog has shared the stage with many other well known Celtic groups such as The Clancy Brothers, The Wolfe Tones, Cherish The Ladies, Donal Lunny's Coolfin, Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, Black 47, Gaelic Storm, Solas, Seven Nations, The Prodigals, Off Kilter and Glengarry Bhoys.
The band has released four smash hit CDs: "Release The Hounds," "at The Parting Glass," "Let It Flow" and "Donegal." In January, 2008, the Kingston, New York Freeman Times said that "Hair Of The Dog plays with a cohesive oneness that most bands never get. They are a regional music treasure." The Dog was also recently mentioned in Billboard Magazine as one of Irish Music's biggest sellers. In 2005, Hair Of The Dog was featured on a charity compilation CD called "One Child At A Time." Other artists included U2, James Taylor, The Chieftains and Carly Simon.
Based in Upstate New York, Hair Of The Dog is Rick Bedrosian on bass and vocals, Mike DeAngelis on acoustic guitar and vocals, John Haggerty on banjo, acoustic guitar and vocals, Larry Packer on fiddle, Eric Finn on electric guitar, mandolin and vocals and Scott Apicelli on drums. Website
Cliudan
The nucleus of cliudan's signature sound is a tribute to its working class immigrant roots and diverse musical backgrounds. This is Progressive Celtic music at it's powerful and emotive best. Drawing heavily from the timeless music of the Gaels, as well as from the deep wells of the Irish and Scottish traditions, cliudan adds their very own driven Acousta-Celt sound and highly interpretive style. One show and you will understand why cliudan has so quickly become line-up regulars on the Northeastern festival circuit, music award winners, and consistently recognized as a top up-and-coming act on the U.S. celtic scene. Website
Cray and Dempsey
“They’re Irish and They’re Rockin’
Cray and Dempsey are an exciting duo that will entertain you with their great music, funny jokes and sing along’s. They have appeared in many major festival and night clubs around the northeast that have made them a must see show. Be sure to catch this great act appearing for the first time at The Hunter Mountain Celtic Festival. Website
Shilelagh Law
New York and Irish music have a long and storied history together, a collision of two cultures that results in bedlam, beauty, and a lot in between. Shilelagh Law embodies all that is New York Irish Music: old songs, new songs, jigs, reels, dancing, weeping, lots of laughter, plenty of drinks, and the inevitable visit to the local diner at 5 a.m.
By interpreting traditional Irish Music through a filter of urban grittiness, Shilelagh Law helps to define the Irish-American experience that is such a big part of New York town. Website
Dave Rowe Trio
The Dave Rowe Trio, a high-energy, neo-celtic, newgrass band, bringing in Edward Howe on fiddle and mandolin, and bassist Kevin O’Reilly. Dave has released nine critically-acclaimed CDs since 1997. See this wonderful trio that was a hit at last years festival and don’t miss their return to the Hunter Mountain Celtic Festival. Website
Kitty Kelly Band
The Kitty Kelly Band returns by popular demand to the Hunter Mountain International Celtic Festival. Talent abounds in this group led by Kitty Kelly who brings a level of energy and passion to performance that will have you out dancing and singing along in no time. Garnering critical acclaim for Kitty's new CD release "Catskill Fever" which features notable musicians such as Joanie Madden, Buddy Connolly and Jerry O'Sullivan, this group performs both contemporary and traditional Irish music and gives a live show not to be missed. Website
Seamus Kennedy
Seamus Kennedy, originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, has been entertaining audiences all over the United States for the past 32 years. With a ready wit and a vast store of songs, he travels from Alaska to Florida, Maryland to California, performing for audiences which range from Popes and presidents to bartenders and bricklayers, from college students to kindergartners.
In concert or festival, in pub or club, in colleges or high schools, Seamus Kennedy has the repertoire and the ability to make folks forget their cares for a while, to relax and enjoy themselves. He encourages the crowd to sing along to silly lyrics and daft ditties or act out the choruses of children's songs. When he plays a lively Irish jig or a reel, Seamus will often coax someone to jump up and dance to the music of his guitar or bodhrán - to the delight - and often amazement - of their friends. His audience participation songs and tongue-twisters have amused the ablest of participants and the nimblest of tongues. Website
Also...
Donny Golden School of Irish Dance
Iona Troupe of Irish Dancers
Ulster County Ancient Order of Hibernians Pipe and Drum featuring Hunter Mtn's own 9 year old Charlie Murphy
