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Ciarán Ryan Band confirmed for @TradFestival 2023


10 Nov 22
by Nathon Jones

Ciarán Ryan Band perform on Friday 7th July 2023

Delighted to confirm the Ciarán Ryan Band for opening night at next year's Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival. Ciarán is an outstanding banjo player and we're sure you're going to love them, LIVE in the Festival Marquee next July. Weekend passes are on sale now.

Already a veteran performer having toured the worlds stages for a decade, predominantly as a founding member of world-folk band Dallahan and as a highly sought after session musician, Ciarán Ryan is quietly becoming recognised as one of the foremost tenor banjo players the UK has ever produced.

The live outfit “Ciarán Ryan Band” was formed in Edinburgh, Scotland following the release of his debut solo album "Banjaxed" in late 2019. The album was shortlisted for "Album of the Year" at the Scots Trad Music Awards.

He now brings his prolific writing and stage experience firmly to the front with his own solo show of all-original music, loosely grown out of his traditional Irish music upbringing that nods towards the idioms of rock, EDM and post-punk music.

The band had an explosive start with a headline show at Celtic Connections and other UK festivals. The live show is a high-octane spectacle of ferocious banjo led music and sheer instrumental brilliance!

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In Other News


Merrick Real Estate supporting July festival

Sponsorship is a fantastic way to demonstrate your support for the vital arts, culture and traditions of Scotland and can really help promote your business. We're delighted to be welcoming back our good friends from Merrick Real Estate who are generously supporting this year's event.  

28 Mar 23
Nathon Jones

Win a place at The National Piping Centre's Autumn Junior Gathering Weekend

The winner of this year's 14 & Under 4-Parted March / 2 x 2-Parted March category at the solo piping competition will win, courtesy of the National Piping Centre, a free place at one of the Autumn Junior Gathering Weekends held at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow.  

16 Mar 23
Nathon Jones

Penninghame Estate supporting this year's piping competition

The very good people at Penninghame Estate have kindly offered to support the solo piping competition through a new sponsorship agreement for this year's festival. This is fantastic news for the event and we are delighted to have Penninghame Estate's support for this vital cultural tradition.  

15 Mar 23
Nathon Jones

Trad Music Trust

The 9th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival takes place over the 7th-9th July 2023 and, after an incredible year in 2022, will continue the festival's tradition of bringing the absolute best in traditional Scottish, Irish and World music and dance to perform in Galloway. Stay tuned throughout the year for programme announcements, or grab an Early Bird Weekend Pass - on sale now - and secure your seats now for 2023!

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