Ríoghnach Connolly (IRE)

Ríoghnach Connolly is a singer, flautist, lyricist, workshop leader, and musical activist. She was awarded the title of Folk Singer of the Year by both RTÉ and BBC Radio 2. Ríoghnach grew up in a family with a rich musical tradition and further developed her craft through the Armagh Pipers’ Club in Armagh City, in the northeast of Ireland. She has toured internationally and performed extensively, both live and in the studio, with bands such as The Breath, Honeyfeet, Band of Burns, and Afro Celt Sound System.

In Dranouter, she performs as a duo with Ellis Davies. Connolly and Davies have been playing together for nearly twenty years—as long as they have been a couple. Together, they have graced stages as far as Brazil and Singapore, and have recorded under Ríoghnach’s name, with crowd favorite Honeyfeet, and as Beware Soul Brother alongside Mendi Singh. As a duo, they explore the traditional music of Ríoghnach’s youth, subtly supported by Ellis’ fingerpicking guitar style.