“An Irish Christmas” – Cathie Ryan, John Doyle, Mick McAuley
“An Irish Christmas” promises a magical evening of songs, stories, and memories of Christmastime in Ireland shared by three of Irish Music’s most beloved and highly regarded performers. Veteran Ten Pound Fiddle performers in other configurations, this ensemble of Cathie Ryan, John Doyle, and Mick McAuley will present a rich evening of beloved music to remember.
Cathie Ryan
“One of the leading voices in Celtic Music.” – The L.A. Times
For over thirty-five years, including multiple studio recordings, musical collaborations, and awards, Cathie Ryan has been in the vanguard of Irish music. She sings with luminous clarity and has a gift for unearthing gems from the Irish and American song traditions, as well as crafting originals that fit perfectly along side them.
Cathie is a captivating performer whose shows are renowned for their intimacy and power – and a typically Irish sprinkling of storytelling. “There is nothing like a live show. I love the energy, the give and take, of being with an audience. And I love to have fun up there!” she says. Cathie happily shares the stage, and the show, with her award-winning band. Featuring Patsy O’Brien on guitar, Matt Mancuso on fiddle, and Brian Melick on percussion, the band weaves subtle arrangements and harmonies around Cathie’s vocals and raises the rafters with sets of traditional tunes.
Cathie Ryan has built a loyal following by touring internationally and singing “songs of the heart” at performing arts centers, festivals, folk clubs, and with symphony orchestras. She has been featured on national and public television and radio throughout the world, Irish America Magazine twice named her one of the “Top 100 Irish Americans” and liveireland.com has twice honored her as “Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade.” When not singing, Cathie leads tours of Ireland that focus on Irish music, folklore, myth, and history.
“Anyone wondering what constitutes excellence in Irish American singing today need only attend a Cathie Ryan concert.” – The Wall Street Journal
Cathie Ryan and John Doyle, “An Irish Christmas” 2025:
John Doyle
“John Doyle on guitar has risen to a level occupied by him alone. No one in Irish traditional music is a better guitarist than him right now. His chops, always assured and adroit, have now entered a rarefied zone of inspired, instinctive, in-the-moment creativity that made me gasp in awe and for breath.” – Earle Hitchner, The Wall Street Journal and the Irish Echo (formerly)
“A complete rhythm section all on his own” –Chicago Tribune
“More talent than anybody deserves to have all to themselves” -Philadelphia News
“Few rhythm guitarists demand the spotlight, but Doyle’s super powered accompaniment in trad-music settings is a marvel.” – Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers, Acoustic Guitar Magazine
From a musical family in Dublin, John Doyle was sixteen when he went on the road with Chanting House, a group which he formed with Susan McKeown and which eventually included such great players as Seamus Egan, Eileen Ivers, Donogh Hennessy, and Brian Doyle. The highly influential Solas followed, its success due in no small part to John’s powerful rhythmic guitar. As a member of Solas, John performed internationally to sold out audiences and appeared on many television and radio programs, including NBC’s The Today Show, A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, E-Town and World Cafe. As part of that critically acclaimed group, he also received three NAIRD awards and a Grammy nomination.
John Doyle and Mick McAuley:
Mick McAuley
Mick McAuley is an Irish musician, composer and songwriter who has recorded and toured internationally for many years. While his music is rooted firmly in the Irish tradition, he has been part of a movement which continues to push the musical boundaries of that tradition to bring Irish music to a wider and more diverse audience around the world. As a long-time member of the Irish-American ensemble SOLAS, he has recorded and toured nine albums with them and received widespread international acclaim. The Boston Herald hailed SOLAS as “the best Irish traditional band in the world.”
A multi-instrumentalist, Mick plays accordion, melodeon, concertina, whistles and guitar and has been a guest on many recordings and performances including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patti Larkin, Paul Brennan (Clannad), Susan McKeown and Mick Hanly among many others. Since 2015, Mick plays melodeons for 17-time Grammy winner STING in his autobiographical theatre production “The Last Ship”.
His debut solo album An Ocean’s Breadth (Shanachie Records) was awarded Best Celtic Album of the year by Washington Post, and Spring 2016 saw the long-awaited release of his solo album HIGHS AND BELLOWS. It is an acoustic selection of traditional and original instrumentals and songs recorded in Ireland at the turn of that year.
His most recent release is a duet album with Celtic guitar wizard, John Doyle. The Irish Echo says: “There’s a ton of vibe to absorb on this album, and it’s worth every minute!!!”
Cathie Ryan
“One of the leading voices in Celtic Music.” – The L.A. Times
For over thirty-five years, including multiple studio recordings, musical collaborations, and awards, Cathie Ryan has been in the vanguard of Irish music. She sings with luminous clarity and has a gift for unearthing gems from the Irish and American song traditions, as well as crafting originals that fit perfectly along side them.
Cathie is a captivating performer whose shows are renowned for their intimacy and power – and a typically Irish sprinkling of storytelling. “There is nothing like a live show. I love the energy, the give and take, of being with an audience. And I love to have fun up there!” she says. Cathie happily shares the stage, and the show, with her award-winning band. Featuring Patsy O’Brien on guitar, Matt Mancuso on fiddle, and Brian Melick on percussion, the band weaves subtle arrangements and harmonies around Cathie’s vocals and raises the rafters with sets of traditional tunes.
Cathie Ryan has built a loyal following by touring internationally and singing “songs of the heart” at performing arts centers, festivals, folk clubs, and with symphony orchestras. She has been featured on national and public television and radio throughout the world, Irish America Magazine twice named her one of the “Top 100 Irish Americans” and liveireland.com has twice honored her as “Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade.” When not singing, Cathie leads tours of Ireland that focus on Irish music, folklore, myth, and history.
“Anyone wondering what constitutes excellence in Irish American singing today need only attend a Cathie Ryan concert.” – The Wall Street Journal
Cathie Ryan and John Doyle, “An Irish Christmas” 2025:
John Doyle
“John Doyle on guitar has risen to a level occupied by him alone. No one in Irish traditional music is a better guitarist than him right now. His chops, always assured and adroit, have now entered a rarefied zone of inspired, instinctive, in-the-moment creativity that made me gasp in awe and for breath.” – Earle Hitchner, The Wall Street Journal and the Irish Echo (formerly)
“A complete rhythm section all on his own” –Chicago Tribune
“More talent than anybody deserves to have all to themselves” -Philadelphia News
“Few rhythm guitarists demand the spotlight, but Doyle’s super powered accompaniment in trad-music settings is a marvel.” – Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers, Acoustic Guitar Magazine
From a musical family in Dublin, John Doyle was sixteen when he went on the road with Chanting House, a group which he formed with Susan McKeown and which eventually included such great players as Seamus Egan, Eileen Ivers, Donogh Hennessy, and Brian Doyle. The highly influential Solas followed, its success due in no small part to John’s powerful rhythmic guitar. As a member of Solas, John performed internationally to sold out audiences and appeared on many television and radio programs, including NBC’s The Today Show, A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, E-Town and World Cafe. As part of that critically acclaimed group, he also received three NAIRD awards and a Grammy nomination.
John Doyle and Mick McAuley:
Mick McAuley
Mick McAuley is an Irish musician, composer and songwriter who has recorded and toured internationally for many years. While his music is rooted firmly in the Irish tradition, he has been part of a movement which continues to push the musical boundaries of that tradition to bring Irish music to a wider and more diverse audience around the world. As a long-time member of the Irish-American ensemble SOLAS, he has recorded and toured nine albums with them and received widespread international acclaim. The Boston Herald hailed SOLAS as “the best Irish traditional band in the world.”
A multi-instrumentalist, Mick plays accordion, melodeon, concertina, whistles and guitar and has been a guest on many recordings and performances including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patti Larkin, Paul Brennan (Clannad), Susan McKeown and Mick Hanly among many others. Since 2015, Mick plays melodeons for 17-time Grammy winner STING in his autobiographical theatre production “The Last Ship”.
His debut solo album An Ocean’s Breadth (Shanachie Records) was awarded Best Celtic Album of the year by Washington Post, and Spring 2016 saw the long-awaited release of his solo album HIGHS AND BELLOWS. It is an acoustic selection of traditional and original instrumentals and songs recorded in Ireland at the turn of that year.
His most recent release is a duet album with Celtic guitar wizard, John Doyle. The Irish Echo says: “There’s a ton of vibe to absorb on this album, and it’s worth every minute!!!”