Since their formation in 1995, this North West of England outfit have entertained audiences ancient and modern, swiggers of poteen and porter, sportin blades and fair maids, ghosts and goblins, priests and poets, rakes and rovers, hurlers and harpists, Nolans and Dolans, O'Connells and O'Donnells, from Clare to Kildare, Longford to Wexford in hotels and theatres, churches and clubs, parlours and pubs.

Since their formation in 1995, this North West of England outfit have entertained audiences ancient and modern, swiggers of poteen and porter, sportin' blades and fair maids, ghosts and goblins, priests and poets, rakes and rovers, hurlers and harpists, Nolans and Dolans, O'Connells and O'Donnells, from Clare to Kildare, Longford to Wexford in hotels and theatres, churches and clubs, parlours and pubs.

Sure, they never fail to entertain.

The basic line-up which gives Shannagh their distinctive sound is fiddle, whistle and piano. For bigger events the trio is augmented with drums and a professional caller organises the dances at weddings and ceilidhs. Shannagh have a pool of professional musicians that they may call upon for any event. This means they are able to provide the best possible line up for every occassion (for example, when background music is required... or, when dancing is the theme of the evening!). 

Shannagh play a mixture of traditional songs, and tunes for listening or for dancing, balanced to suit the occasion.

In 1996 they played the first of many engagements at Manchester's Irish Festival which included a live radio broadcast for the BBC.

The majority of their work is for weddings and corporate functions - playing some of the North-West's finest venues including the Trafford Centre, Wigan Pier, the Reebok Stadium and most of the best hotels in the region.

Corporate clients have included Granada TV, Arthur Andersen Accountants, Scottish and Newcastle Brewers and Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Meet some of the Band...

Mat Walklate
Professional musician lead singer/ songwriter/ harmonica/ flute/ whistle, playing mainly Irish Traditional music, Blues, and Jazz. British Blues-Harmonica Champion 1992. Teacher of harmonica and NW secretary of the National Harmonica League. Considerable recording experience including two albums as lead singer with blues band 'The Moochers'. Presented Blues-based workshops in High Schools in the North-West and some based on Irish Traditional music in High and Primary schools. Led singing workshops at the Lowry Centre, Salford. Member of the Musicians Union, the Performing Rights Society, the National Harmonica League and the British Blues Connection.

Pete Wherry
Professional keyboard player/ vocalist/ composer with extensive experience of Irish Traditional music, Blues, Soul, Jazz and Reggae. A former member of the management board of Inner City Music responsible for saving the ‘Band on the Wall’ as a live venue and developing musical education through Musicroots. Administrator and performer of Patrick's Progress an educational workshop linking Ireland's music to its historical, geographical and cultural features. Tutor on reggae outreach workshops for Musicroots. Recorded live Irish sessions for BBC Radio, live Jazz session for Granada TV and produced a 12” dance single.

Steve Landin
Professional fiddle player/ double bass player playing all kinds of Irish, Scottish, American and Eastern European music. Three times winner of the national fiddle competition at the Edale Bluegrass Festival. Recorded numerous albums and several live sessions for BBC Radio and Granada TV.

Please note: the musicians pictured may not be the musicians provided for your event.

Corporate events  have included: Bolton Wanderers FC, Wigan Athletic FC, Sheffield Wednesday FC, Carlisle United FC, Lancashire Cricket Club, Wigan Cricket Club, Stand Cricket Club, North Manchester Golf Club, Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club, Bacup Golf Club, Walton Golf Club, Shaw Hill Golf Club, Sefton Rugby Club, Wigan St Patrick's Rugby Club, Manchester Town Hall, Liverpool Town Hall, Bury Town Hall, Rochdale Town Hall, South Ribble Banqueting Suite, Haylewood Castle, Leeds, Pechforthain Castle, Cheshire, Houghton Tower, Blackburn.

Private functions include: Birch Hall, Oldham, Pott Shrigley Hll, Macclesfield, Crewe Hall, Crewe, Oulton Hall, Leeds, Poynton Hall, Cheshire, Mottram Hall, Cheshire, Bartle Hall, Cheshire, Worsley Hall, Worsley, Midland Hotel, Manchester, Piccadilly Hall, Manchester, Ramada Hotel, Manchester, Lowry Hotel, Salford, Marriott Hotel, Worsley, Marriott Hotel, Hale, Marriott Hotel, Preston, Royal Clifton Hotel, Southport, Last Drop Hotel, Bolton, Dane Lodge Hotel, Sale, Mere Court Hotel, Knutsford, Daresbury Park Hotel, Warrington, Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Accrington, Lakeside Hotel, Windermere, Masonic Hall, Preston.

Public performances include: BBC Radio Manchester - two live broadcasts, Manchester Irish Festival, Trafford Centre, Wigan Pier, CAMRA Beer Festivals - Wigan Pier, Formby Halls, Atherton, Monaco Ballroom, Hinley, Wigan, Club Nation (Cream), Liverpool, Festival Hall, Kikby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire,  Elizabthan Suite, Bury, Irish World Heritage Centre, Manchester, O'Neill's - Manchester, Leeds, Blackburn, O'Shea's – Manchester, McGuire's - Bradford, Oldham, Leeds, Scruffy Murphy's - Liverpool, Blackpool.

Star Of The County Down
The Wild Rover
Dirty Old Town
I'll Tell Me Ma
The Fields Of Athenry

Plus, reels and jigs (usually with a caller to call the dances)

Andrew Aldridge, Forshaws Davies Ridgway, Corporate Family Fun Day
Hi Tracey, Shannagh were really good, the music was great and the interaction with the guests was also very good. Thanks for your help, it was much appreciated and I wouldn’t hesitate to use your services again.