Ríoghnach Connolly and Ellis Davies

Ríoghnach Connolly grew up surrounded by a rich musical familial heritage and through Armagh Pipers’ Club in Armagh City, in the northeast of Ireland. 

Now based in Manchester, she is a professional vocalist, flautist, lyricist, workshop facilitator and musical activist. She has toured internationally and extensively, performing and recording in bands The Breath (Real World Records), HoneyFeet (Stardust Works), Band of Burns (Órd Bán) and Afro Celt Sound System (ECC). Ríoghnach has a worldwide publishing deal with Real World Records as a writer and currently holds the title of BBC Radio 2’s Folk Singer of the Year.

Ríoghnach Connolly and Ellis Davies have been playing together for nearly 20 years – as long as they have been a couple. Together they have graced stages as far away as Brazil and Singapore, and recorded under Ríoghnach’s name, as festival favourites Honeyfeet and as Beware Soul Brother, along with Mendi Singh.

As a duo, they explore the traditional music of Ríoghnach’s upbringing, gently underpinned by Ellis’ fingerpicking guitar style.

“(Connolly is) A remarkable singer and flautist…who can ease from Irish traditional influences to soul.” – The Guardian

“Delightfully undefinable…irrepressible, inimitable,” – Folk Radio

Experience the magic of Ríoghnach Connolly live on stage, where her soulful voice and intricate flute melodies will transport you on a journey through time and tradition. Don’t miss your chance to witness this unapologetically original artist redefine the boundaries of folk music.