Deirdre and Ella McGrory are sisters from the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal. Coming from a musical family, the girls have been involved in Irish Traditional Music from a young age. Deirdre sings and plays the whistle. Ella plays the fiddle and piano. Both Deirdre and Ella are First Class Honours graduates of the Irish World Academy, University of Limerick. In recent years they have performed at festivals such as Ennis Trad Fest, Imbolc (Derry), Letterkenny Trad Week, Belfast Song Gathering and have featured on the TG4 tv series 'Ceol ón Earagail' 2024 as well as various radio performances.
'Loinnir' is the first studio recording from the sister duo and is a collection of songs that they love. This record has a mixture of traditional and folk songs and a blend of contemporary accompaniment, featuring guest musicians Steve Cooney, Paul McClure, Nick Scott and Liam Bradley. 'Loinnir' encapsulates their favourite aspects of music from their childhood.
megaTRAD is comprised of brothers, Cillian and Seán, from the musical East Clare O’Dálaigh family and Denis McAuliffe, a West Clare legend on the mandolin. All three are graduates of the esteemed University of Limerick’s BA Irish Music and Dance programme.
megaTRAD was born in the trio’s stomping ground of The Glen Tavern, Limerick. Asked to provide entertainment, bringing whatever pedals and stompbox/beat’n’bass machines they had lying around with no rehearsals beforehand the result was musical magic – improvisation around concepts, playing while listening, no arrangement sheets, tailoring each performance to the occasion at hand. Each show is a unique, innovative and exhilarating musical journey affectionately termed Transcendental by their fanbase.
Shortly afterwards, in 2020, megaTRAD won best performance at Temple Bar Trad Fest’s ‘Live at the Hub’ securing a slot at Milwaukee Irish Fest for August 2020. They have also played at festivals such as Electric Picnic, All Together Now, The All Ireland Fleadh, Bloom Festival, and Shannonside Folk Festival.
They come to The Balor promoting the release of their debut album “It begins with a…” Join megaTRAD on a musical journey where tradition meets innovation and every note is an adventure, Immerse yourself in the contemporary, rich, and lively sounds of 21st century Irish Traditional music – megaTRAD style!
€15
Music Capital Presents: Lisa Knapp & Gerry Diver (with Support from Deirdre & Ella McGrory)
Monday 6th Oct 2025
Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Advance Online Tickets Price - £20+bf OTD £23
Music Capital Presents: Lisa Knapp & Gerry Diver (with Support from Deirdre & Ella McGrory)
Sunday 5th Oct 2025
Sandino's, Water Street, Derry
Doors 6.45pm - Show Starts 7.30pm
Advance Online Tickets Price - £20+bf OTD £23
Inishowen Maritime Museum, Old Coastguard Station, Drumaweer, F93 T028, Greencastle
Friday 26th September 7:30pm - Inishowen Maritime Museum, Greencastle - Free Event
Lands of Eogain event: Launch of Brian Lacey's new book, 'Cenél nEógain and the Donegal Kingdoms, AD 800-1200' as well as the launch of 'History Inishowen' podcast.
Music provided by Deirdre, Ella & Roisin McGrory.
Inishowen Youth Trad Orchestra with support from Deirdre & Ella McGrory at Féile na hInse 2025
€10
St. Patrick's Day traditional music performance in the Ballyliffin Lodge Hotel
Jack Houston's launch of new album 'Ómós' with support from Deirdre & Ella McGrory
An Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Derry
“Loinnir; meaning brightness, brilliance, radiance or sparkle. All of these words aptly describe the beautiful music of Deirdre and Ella McGrory. From the opening notes of Ella’s eloquent piano playing to Deirdre’s captivating voice, these young women show a depth of maturity in their performances and approach. Yet, they are more than that. They make the music their own, bringing a contemporary sound which breathes new life into the old, just as the tradition should evolve, and develop making it meaningful and alive for every new generation. Mo cheol sibh!” - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
