Isla Callister & Cathal Ó Curráin in concert - Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering 2026

Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering is delighted to open the 2026 festival with an exciting blend of Irish and Manx song, music and history! Donegal x Isle of Man!

Cathal Ó Curráin and Isla Callister have been collaborating on a ‘Gaeilge and Gaelg’ musical project exploring the connections between the Isle of Man and Donegal.

Over the last 18 months, with the support of Ealaín na Gaeltachta and their Scéiim Síol Scéim and Forbartha na n-Ealaíon funds, Cathal, a multi-instrumentalist from Donegal and Isla Callister, a Manx Gaelic speaker and fiddle player, have been researching, developing and writing new music together. The musical output has been focussed on writing new bi-lingual songs, reworking old Manx Gaelic song fragments, writing new fiddle tunes and bringing together already existing repertoire. Each new song and tune has been inspired by their conversations, interviews and visits to Gweedore and the Isle of Man during 2024 and 2025. The themes of the new music draws on common threads such as folklore, strong cultural characters from both regions and traditions and customs associated with nature. The music also addresses more challenging themes such as the role Manx soldiers played in the 1798 rebellion in Ireland.

2026 marks Blein ny Gaelgey/Year of Manx, a celebration of the Manx language. This project not only celebrates the island’s language, but also looks outward to the connections the island shares with Donegal and Ireland. Performing these songs as part of Yn Chruinnaght festival in July and as part of Blein ny Gaelgey presents itself as a great opportunity to premiere the music. Another long-term aim of the project is to work with young Gaelic speakers from both regions. Last July, as part of the project, Cathal and Isla worked with Manx music youth group Scran and arranged one of their new pieces of music; ‘Manannan’s March’, and the young musicians will join Isla and Cathal on stage, along with David Kilgallon.

Setting the scene are the brilliant An Corran (The Crescent in Manx Gaelic) - a folk group who formed in 2024 over a shared passion for Manx traditional music and language, and blending this with original tunes and arrangements.

Although firmly rooted in the Gaelic idiom of the Isle of Man, An Corran incorporate elements from the world’s many diverse traditions in a sensitive and tasteful way - with a strong emphasis on rich vocal harmonies and varied, dynamic arrangements.

£20 / £5 under 16s

Tickets will also be for sale in Celtic Gold 

All other tickets

Part of the Festival Pass [SOLD OUT]

www.celticgathering.im

This concert is supported by Culture Ireland

Refund Policy: We will allow refunds up to 7 days before the event. After that time, we can only offer refunds or exchanges if an event has been cancelled or rescheduled.

Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering is grateful for the invaluable support of Culture Vannin and the Isle of Man Arts Council