Gary Curley – Button Accordion
Hailing from Boho in Co. Fermanagh, Gary Curley is primarily renowned for his musicianship on the button accordion. In recent years, Gary has also established great expertise with instruments such as the concertina and melodeon. As a sought-after performer, Gary is increasingly in demand, appearing at numerous festivals throughout Ireland and abroad, where he entertains audiences with his performances and imparts his knowledge as a guest tutor. With over a decade dedicated to tutoring traditional Irish music, Gary has established a strong reputation across Fermanagh and its neighbouring counties, earning his place as one of the region’s leading music tutors.
Gary’s exceptional musicianship has been recognised and celebrated through numerous Fleadh Cheoil competitions, receiving a range of accolades at county, provincial, and all-Ireland competition levels in both junior and senior capacities. His academic accomplishments echo his dedication to music. Graduating from Ulster University with a First Class Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Music and later obtaining a PGCE in Music Education, Gary has demonstrated his scholarly approach to his craft. His musical knowledge and talents have led to appearances on various television and radio programmes, including TG4’s Fleadh TV & Sruth, RTE’s Céilí House & Ceol Binn ó na Beanna, and BBC’s Folk Club & Blas Ceoil, reaching audiences worldwide
Catriona Gribben – Piano Accordion
Catriona is a piano accordionist and singer from Gaoth Dobhair. Having grown up among fantastic local musicians she has a distinctive Donegal influence in her playing. Catriona is an experienced performer having competed in Fleadh Ceoil competitions from a young age and touring Ireland Scotland Germany and New York State with An Crann Óg. Catriona now lives in Belfast where she has studied music and gigged for the past 5 years. Catriona has recently spent time collecting and documenting ‘at-risk’ repertoire from the northwest of Donegal during her Masters in Research at Queens University. She recently released an album on BandCamp containing some of this important song collection.