Baltimore Fiddle Fair presents Koos Le Chéile, Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy (Ireland) and Duo Ruut (Estonia)

Renowned for its warm, inclusive atmosphere, breathtaking setting, and its consistent ability to

present a world-class programme, The Baltimore Fiddle Fair is a highlight of the Irish music calendar.

Each year, it attracts fans and performers from across the globe, many of whom make the annual pilgrimage to west Cork for a festival unlike any other.

Now, funded as part of the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, and with the support of Cork County Council and The Arts Council, they bring a taste of the festival to Mitchelstown with an intimate, acoustic celebration of our shared European musical connections, with two amazing duos from Ireland and Estonia.

Aoife N íBhrían and Cormac McCarthy

Blending deep roots in Irish traditional music with classical, jazz, and contemporary

influences, Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy chart a compelling sonic path through a

shared musical heritage, transformed through their own creative lens.

Their debut album Cosán Casta is a deeply considered and intimate work that reimagines Irish

traditional music through original compositions, reinterpretations of archival tunes, and a

fusion of classical and jazz idioms. The record pays homage to the music Aoife and Cormac

grew up with, the musical language they heard and spoke in their family homes.

Duo Ruut

Their unique sound ties together a single Estonian zither and two distinct voices. Inspired by

the traditions of their heritage, they draw influence from both the beliefs of different

cultures and their own contemporary and emotive songwriting.

As they are composing on one instrument Duo Ruut’s music is minimalist at its core but packed with new and imaginative ideas. This single instrument in between Ann-Lisett Rebane and Katariina Kivi creates, what Mojo called “a band sized sound”. They stand either side of the zither, each plucking and strumming its strings and sometimes tapping its body for percussive purposes.

“Accompanied by ethereal voices which slowly draw you to the world. Sometimes the barest,

most minimal music can hit the hardest.”

Tickets from Saint George's Office (087 4696913), usual outlets and Eventbrite.