The Carolan Collective: A Visionary Expansion
The Carolan Collective, led by musician / educator Mossie Martin and photographer / musician David Knight is a multidisciplinary project dedicated to learning, researching, sharing, promoting, archiving and performing the music, history and stories of Turlough O’Carolan (1670 – 1730). Building on the well-attended workshops of 2025, the 2026 program expands into a community-driven initiative that blends traditional musicianship with modern digital artistry.
The Carolan Collective is a creative group of musicians, singers, songwriters, educators, photographers, artists and videographers. They enjoy performing and sharing the music and traditional heritage as well as contemporary culture of the Northwest of Ireland. The collective stands as a vibrant pillar of Ireland’s musical landscape, taking its name from the enduring legacy of Turlough O’Carolan (1670 – 1738), the iconic harper, composer and entertainer whose remains are resting on the shore of Lough Meelagh in north Co. Roscommon.
Carolan Collective members teach and perform at most of the festivals in the Northwest. You can book our musicians for your corporate or private event, for concerts and entertainment, or even for a session on your boat. Or, you can find out where they are playing locally in Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim Village and the surrounding areas.
Mossie Martin and David Knight playing The Clergy's Lamentation by Turlough O’Carolan
Mission & Vision
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Cultural Preservation: Honouring the legacy of Carolan and the local musical traditions of the northwest region including Roscommon, Leitrim and Sligo.
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Inclusive Participation: Providing a space where musicians, singers, and dancers of all ages, instruments and abilities – including beginners - can collaborate, learn and perform. Interested listeners are also welcome to attend events.
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Intergenerational Learning: Facilitating the transmission of Irish music and stories from seasoned masters to newer generations in a social, community, fun environment.
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Creative Wellbeing: Using shared performance and collective music-making to enhance self-confidence and community spirit
Carolan Collective at the Night & Day festival 2026
Strategic Partnerships and Festivals
The Carolan Collective delivers an experience that appeals directly to high-value, culturally curious demographics. Our typical audience consists of:
- The Culturally Curious Holidaymaker: Discerning travelers (both domestic and international) who want more than a scenic view. They look for authentic, localized experiences that connect them directly to the history, folklore and soul of the places they visit.
- Multi-Generational Families: Because our acoustic sessions are intimate and storytelling-driven, they bridge the gap between grandparents, parents and children, providing a shared, memory-making event on the water. In conjunction with corporate events and clients.
- Premium Charter & Corporate Groups: Clients booking luxury cruiser fleets, such as Emereld Star LeBoat cruisers for milestone celebrations, family reunions or corporate incentive trips who want an exclusive, private entertainment option.
- The O’Carolan Harp Festival & Summer School (Keadue, Co. Roscommon)
As a collective inspired by the legacy of Turlough O’Carolan (1670 – 1738), we have a long-standing relationship with Keadue’s premier festival which was established in 1978. Our musicians regularly feature as tutors, masterclass leaders and headline performers, celebrating the unique harp and regional tunes of North Roscommon.
- The Joe Mooney Summer School (Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim)
A cornerstone of traditional Irish music, song and dance that attracts visitors from all over Ireland and internationally every July. Our members are regular performers and tutors, teaching hundreds of students by day and driving the renowned, high-energy sessions and recitals by night.
- The Boyle Arts Festival
We frequently collaborate with one of Ireland’s most prestigious regional arts festivals. Performing within their curated traditional and folk line-ups has honed our ability to deliver highly engaging, concert-standard performances in intimate, acoustic settings.
- Night and Day Festival (May 29th–31st)
Set in Lough Key Forest Park, this partnership marks a major milestone. Occupying the Úna Bhán stage, the collective will facilitate an immersive weekend of music and heritage. Over six hours of engagement, attendees of all skill levels can participate in "Try the Harp" sessions and "Tin Whistle Fundamentals." This "hands-on" approach aims to bridge the gap between 18th-century harp traditions and the modern folk scene.
- Night and Day Festival x Hideaway Sessions (Sept 19th)
The inaugural Night and Day X Hideaway Sessions Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway is set to bring Damien Dempsey, Sexy Tadgh, Aine Tyrell, Emma Langford and many more to the one day festival on 19th September.
The festival is the first ever Night and Day satellite event, building on the success of their five major festival festivals in Co. Roscommon. Night and Day initially took place in Clonalis House in Castlerea in 2022 before moving to Lough Key Forest Park in 2023 where it has run annually ever since.
Elite Energies are kindly sponsoring the Carolan Collective musicians Dots OConnor, Trinity Island, Declan Courell and Ceol na Ceanngail to play in the Cedaroo which will also host wellness sessions in the morning before being transformed into a traditional and folk music oasis in the evening.
- Keadue Workshop Series (June)
To build anticipation for the O’Carolan Harp Festival, three free workshops will be held at St. Ronan’s Hall, Keadue. These sessions are open to all ages, instruments, and skill levels, welcoming both active musicians and "interested listeners."
Carolan Collective concerts and festivals
The Multimedia Legacy
The collective utilizes David Knight’s professional photography and videography skills to create a contemporary visual narrative. By documenting the landscapes of "Carolan Country" alongside live performances, the project produces a high-tech archive for:
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Exhibitions: Blending visual art with live soundscapes.
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Tourism & Education: Promoting Roscommon’s heritage through cinematic digital content.
Supported by a team including Music Generation Leitrim tutors Niko and Christina Ginter, harpers Aoife Guckian and Sophie Daly and music teacher Padraig Sweeney, the Carolan Collective 2026 ensures that the story of the blind bard remains a living, breathing part of Irish culture for fresh audiences.
Carolan Collective teaching workshops
- Local Tourism Authorities & Destination Marketing
We work alongside regional tourism bodies to showcase the hidden gems of the Shannon region. Our performances are often utilized for:
• Fáilte Ireland Press Trips: Providing authentic cultural welcomes for international travel journalists, tour operators, and travel influencers.
• County Council Tourism Initiatives: Partnering on heritage week launches, destination marketing videos, and municipal welcoming events in Leitrim and Roscommon.
- Úna Bhán Tourism Co-operative (Boyle, Co. Roscommon)
We maintain a close working relationship with the Úna Bhán Co-op, the heartbeat of community and traditional tourism in North Roscommon. Whether supporting cultural craft fairs at King House, Boyle or providing musical backdrops for community-led heritage trails, we align perfectly with their mission to promote sustainable, authentic local culture.
- Arigna Mining Experience
We deliver tailored acoustic performances for visitors to one of the region’s most popular heritage attractions. Our repertoire includes the industrial folk songs, social history, and mining ballads unique to the Arigna Valley, offering an emotional, musical layer to the historical tours.
- Corporate Events & Incentive Travel
The Carolan Collective is highly experienced in the corporate sector, providing premium entertainment for:
• Corporate Gala Dinners; Receptions: Offering an elegant, high-calibre acoustic backdrop for local businesses and visiting multinational executives.
• Delivering private, exclusive performances for high-net-worth individuals
• International corporate groups looking for a premium cultural experience.
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Mossie Martin, Andy Tyler and Aoife Guckian playing Planxty Irwin by Turlough O'Carolan. |
Aoife Guckian, Rachel Noone and Sophie Daly |
David Knight, James Wickham Aiden Beirne and Aoife Guckian playing The Beautiful Goldfinch |
Mossie Martin and Fiachra Guihen Playing Loftus Jones by Turlough O'Carolan. |
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Niko Ginter,Christina Ginter, Aiden Beirne and Aoife Guckian playing Hewlett by Turlough O'Carolan |
Emma Benson
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Sophie Daly
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Fiachra Guihen playing Lady Gethin by Turlough O'Carolan. |
Innovation and the "Carolan Orchestra"
A primary goal for 2026 is to expand the local repertoire. While Carolan composed over 200 pieces, many musicians only perform a small fraction of these. Mossie and Dave intend to;
Research and Arrange: Delve into the works of historical collectors like Edward Bunting and Donal O’Sullivan to revive and share obscure compositions.
Establish an Orchestra: Create ambitious, innovative arrangements to develop a local Carolan ‘Orchestra’, providing a large-scale ensemble sound that is both creative and traditional.
Facilitators
Mossie Martin
Fiddle and whistle player from north Co. Roscommon, about a mile from where Carolan was laid to rest. Member of The O’Carolan Trio with Fiachra Guihen (harp, flute) and Ellen Godley (cello, concertina) and the Dartry Céilí Band. Teaches the QQI Level 5 Music course offered by Leitrim College of Further Education, Drumshanbo which was established in 1997 for adults of all ages, instruments and abilities. Released a semi-solo album in 2019 called ‘Humours of Derrynacoosan’ with his sister Áine (harp), brother Brendan (fiddle, banjo), father Tom Martin (mouth organ) and accompanied by John Blake (piano, guitar).
Website: mossiemartin.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 087 7640332
David Knight
Singer and guitarist who has been performing in the region for decades, currently with the group Reel Craic. As a photographer, David is renowned for his decades of experience capturing the musicians, singers, characters, culture, landscapes and heritage of Ireland, particularly the northwest region. His visual, technical and promotional skills are legendary in the region and in recent years, he has boosted the visibility, online reach and audiences of many local events and festivals including The O’Carolan Harp Festival (Keadue), The Joe Mooney Summerschool (Drumshanbo) and The Night and Day Festival (Lough Key Forest Park).
Website: davidknightphotographer.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 086 8386128