Page 22 - The 17th Percy French Festival: The Quest for Authenticity

Ciara, who hails from Roscommon, is a mature song-writer with Pretosius cathedras iocari syrtes. Medusa vocificat oratori, semper utili-
a powerful voice. She delves into themes of reconnecting with tas agricolae adquireret catelli.Ossifragi suffragarit oratori. Tremulus chi-
the inner-child, healing, and self-discovery. With a successful run rographi verecunde senesceret suis, quamquam concubine iocari syrtes,
on the festival circuit she has honed her stage presence (with iam umbraculi neglegenter conubium santet ossifragi, et matrimonii
hints of Kate Bush and Florence and The Machine). Ciara began deciperet gulosus umbraculi. Suis lucide fermentet agricolae. Chi-
her music journey with lessons at a young age and later trained rographi iocari perspicax concubine, quamquam incredibiliter verecun-
at the Academy of Music in Tullamore and competed in national dus umbraculi infeliciter agnascor plane pretosius agricolae.
and international competitions. Following three singles her Verecundus umbra
debut album, Paint My Soul, was released on Human Angel
Records April in 2024.

ciara lawless Paul McDonald

From an early age Michael, a Roscommon native, has been Malachy is the lead singer and songwriter with acclaimed Irish band
singing and collecting songs. With many years involvement The Riptide Movement, known for their dynamic live shows and heartfelt
in the music business he has released a number of critically songwriting. With a career spanning over two decades, the band has
acclaimed albums: three solo; one with Irish folk duo The Baileys; released a string of critically acclaimed albums, toured internationally,
and five with the internationally renowned folk group Rig the Jig and continue as a driving force in Irish music. Amidst of a packed sched-
of which he was a found ing member. Michael has a passion ule, including an upcoming performance at Glastonbury, Malachy will
for writ ing story songs. He is the founder of GoodWood Music, play a rare solo performance at the Percy French Festival. This intimate
a record label set up to support original Irish talent from all set offers a stripped-back glimpse into his soulful songwriting. Blending
genres of music. The label releases records world wide through folk, roots, and raw emotion, Malachy’s solo work reveals a quieter,
partner ships devel oped in the UK and the USA. His solo albums more personal side of one of Ireland’s most compelling voices.
include: Tecumseh Valley (2014) and Liften’ of the Latch (2014).
Michael Banahan malachy tuohy

Maria Henderson,16, plays trombone, harpsichord, and piano. Paul grew up in Rooskey, Co. Roscommon. Having previously worked
She has won first prizes at the Feis Ceoil, Arklow Music Festival, for the Longford Leader and Longford News, he spent 16 years as Editor
and Feis Maitiú and is the 2025 Foróige’s Got Talent national cham- of the Roscommon Champion, before launching the Roscommon People
pion. She is a member of the Dublin Youth Orchestra, Blanchard- with his wife, Fiona, in 2007, and is its Managing Editor. For many years
stown Brass Band, and TU Dublin Concert Band, and enjoys play- he edited the Roscommon Association Yearbook. He is author of five
ing a wide repertoire that includes classical, popular, and jazz books to date, on subjects ranging from sport to politics to social his-
music. Cecilia Henderson, 14, is a singer, organist, and harpist. tory. He is an occasional contributor to Phoenix magazine.
With the Piccolo Lasso choir, she performed at the National Con-
cert Hall, Dublin, Westminster Cathedral, London, and San Gae-
tano, Florence. She has won first prizes at the Leinster Fleadh,
Feis Ceoil and Arklow Music Festival. She also studies speech and
drama and voices Kiva on the popular animated series Kiva Can
Col Ceathair Do on RTEjr and Nick Jr. Isabella Henderson,10, loves to sing Paul healy
many types of music, including traditional Irish, popular and
classical. She won the U12 Lilting competition at Fleadh Cheoil
na hÉireann in 2024 and has won prizes for singing and poetry
recitation at Feis Maitiú, Feis Ceoil, and the Kilcoole Music Festival.
She also plays bodhrán and drums. Kevin Finnerty Jnr, 14,
is currently attend ing St Vincent’s Castleknock College as a sec-
ond-year student. He is a member of St Vincent’s Castleknock
College choir and in 2021, won Feis Ceoil Gold Medal for sing ing.
Kevin has won numerous first prizes for singing and poetry recita-
tion at Kilcoole Music Festival and Feis Maitiu. He is a former
member of the Piccolo Lasso choir, and has performed at the
National Concert Hall. Kevin plays guitar, harp, piano, and drums.

•20 • THE P ERCY FRENCH FESTIVAL 2025 THE QUEST FOR AUTHENTICIT Y •21 •