Where History Meets Harmony

Niamh Regan
Contempory Folk
30th March 2026

Niamh Regan is an Irish singer-songwriter from Galway whose intimate folk songs and quietly powerful performances have marked her as one of Ireland’s most compelling contemporary voices.

Her debut album, Hemet, released in 2020, carried her from open mics to headline tours across Ireland, the UK, and Australia, earning nominations for the RTÉ Folk Awards and the Choice Music Prize.

Alongside festival stages and celebrated collaborators, she honed a sound of quiet intensity and fearless candour. Her second record, Come As You Are, deepens that vision, weaving delicate vocals, subtle hooks, and exquisite instrumentation into songs that explore faltering relationships, self-doubt, and enduring love, confirming her place as a formidable force in Irish indie-folk with hypnotic depth and resonance worldwide.

John Spillane
Folk
4th April 2026

An evening with John Spillane unfolds like a story carried on Cork’s restless wind.

Rooted in his native landscape, his songs braid Irish tradition with the pulse of modern life warm, witty and touched with quiet magic.

A two-time Meteor Award winner, his work has been brought to wider audiences through performances by Christy Moore and Sharon Shannon. Still at the height of his creative powers, his latest album, Fíoruisce – The Legend of the Lough, was named Album of the Year at the RTÉ Folk Awards 2024.

In the intimate surroundings of Mount Carmel, Loughrea, expect a night of song, story and memory to linger long after the final note.

The Whileaways
Contempory Folk
25th april 2026

Prepare to be spellbound by The Whileaways at Mount Carmel.

Formed in Galway in 2012, this remarkable trio blends instinctive, sibling-like harmonies with captivating lyrics and melodies that critics have hailed as “perfected simplicity” (Irish Echo). Noelie McDonnell, Noriana Kennedy and Nicola Joyce are each acclaimed artists in their own right, and together they create something truly special – a rich tapestry of voices, emotion and masterful arrangement.

With four celebrated albums (and a fifth on the way), international tours, and RTÉ Folk Award nominations, they have earned a reputation as one of Ireland’s finest vocal groups.

Renowned for unforgettable live performances, their music is powerful, intimate and deeply moving — it simply demands to be experienced in concert.

Finghin Collins
Classical
25th april 2026

One of Ireland’s most distinguished musicians, Finghin Collins, is coming to Loughrea as part of the MfG Encore series at Mount Carmel Concerts. Internationally acclaimed for his poetic artistry and powerful interpretations, Collins has performed on many of the world’s great stages and with leading orchestras, bringing Irish musicianship to a global audience. Now, through MfG Encores, we are thrilled to bring this world-class artist directly to County Galway audiences.

Our Encore series is about making the most of an artist’s visit – creating a second opportunity for communities to experience exceptional live music on their doorstep. This is a rare and exciting chance to hear one of Ireland’s great pianists in the intimate setting of Loughrea. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of music.

Erin Fornoff
Spoken Word
20th may 2026

An evening with Erin Fornoff promises language alive with rhythm, breath and fearless imagination.

An acclaimed poet and performer, her work has been featured in leading literary journals and at international festivals, earning praise for its emotional clarity and electric stage presence.

In We Are an Archipelago, she gathers voices like scattered islands, shaping them into a living map of connection, distance and belonging. Her words move between the intimate and the expansive, inviting listeners to find themselves in the spaces between.

Touring Ireland as part of the Bealtaine Festival, supported by the Arts Council, she comes to Mount Carmel, Loughrea, joined by top-class musicians for a rich, resonant evening of poetry and music. (Add that musicians are Mary Coughlin’s band’s).

Jeremy & Lorraine (The Portraits)
Contempory Folk
11th july 2026

Experience the extraordinary musical journey of Jeffrey and Lorraine Millington, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo whose harmonious partnership creates performances that resonate with both passion and precision.

With Jeffrey’s masterful guitar work and Lorraine’s captivating vocals, they weave together genres from folk to contemporary, creating a sound that’s uniquely their own.

Having captivated audiences at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center, their heartfelt lyrics and seamless harmonies have earned them critical acclaim and devoted fans.

Don’t miss your chance to witness their chemistry firsthand as they take the stage at Mount Carmel, delivering an unforgettable evening of music that speaks directly to the soul.

LJ (Little John Nee)

Tolu Makay
Pop soul with Jazz and R&B
OCTOBER 2025

2025 mount carmel concert series