Tom’s repertoire—from traditional shanties to songs fashioned out of his own seafaring background—recruits his audience for a voyage by turns reflective, dramatic and humorous. Born in Northern Ireland, Tom’s Celtic heritage is obvious in his clear, strong voice, with songs that have become folk standards. Tom accompanies himself on button accordion and ukulele and his powerful vocal style and infectious humour guarantees quality entertainment.

The Buoys are all Sligo based and got together some years ago to take part in this Shanty Festival. They sing a variety of shanties and sea songs a cappella and even sometimes in harmony! They love the craic and meeting old and new friends. They have taken part in various events around Sligo promoting the festival and the work of the RNLI.

They recently featured on TV (Music from Sligo on TG4) and radio (RTE1 Seascapes)

All at Sea is a group of shanty/folk singers from the Lake District in England. They are represented at our festival by Sandra, Steve, Maggie, John & Jen. In the last couple of years they have performed at festivals and events in Oban, Arnside, Staveley – English Lake District, Keswick & Teignmouth. They are delighted to be with us on the Atlantic Coast.

Hooks and Crookes are shantymen based in Waterford who enjoy singing sea shanties and songs of the sea for the enjoyment of their audiences and to sustain our musical heritage. Their name comes from the Cromwellian saying, ‘of getting there by Hook or by Crooke’. Hook and Crooke are the name of the headlands on either side of Waterford Harbour.

A new group that has quickly become a unique presence in Northern Ireland’s music culture. Their performances, ranging from collaboration with a West End theatre star to participating in maritime festivals and charity fundraisers, have brought joy to audiences. Their infectious passion for sea shanties not only entertains but also serves as a cultural link to the rich maritime heritage of the Causeway coast.

Francoise shares her passion for the sea through her songs. She performs a range of shanties and sea songs mixing the traditional with the contemporary. Francoise is part of the group Femmes de Marins and also performs solo at festivals throughout Europe.

Eight Bells were the first all-female Shanty group in Ireland. Back singing after a short break with a new line-up and still bringing their own unique sound to the songs of the sea.

Paul, Willie and Tony were involved in the start-up of the first Shanty Festival at Rosses Point in 2010. They sing a wide range of sea songs and shanties. Their emphasis is always on a good story.

Monkeys Fist, a trio from Yorkshire in the UK, first formed in 2000 with the current line-up being together since 2015.

They perform traditional and contemporary folk and maritime songs and sea shanties and have appeared at numerous festivals across the UK.

International performances include several festivals in the Netherlands, Germany and Ireland. They are previous visitors to Rosses Point and committed supporters of the RNLI and are looking forward to another great event.

The Selkies are an all women’s sea shanty group from Portaferry, Co. Down. They are the only women’s Sea Shanty Group in Northern Ireland and were set up in October 22.

The group has developed in repertoire, performance and confidence, building on new friendships and exploring and sharing their talent within NI. To date the group has performed at several events for charity, community events and most recently for 200 th RNLI
anniversary, and even appeared on the UTV Keepers of the Lough series .

The legend of the Selkie is one that we in Ireland share with our neighbours in Scotland – it is a mythical legend that tells of people who can shift between seal and human forms by removing or putting on their seal coat.

The Selkies are excited about visiting Rosses Point to perform and meet fellow Shanty singers and enjoy the hospitality of the Sligo people, their land and seas on the Wild Atlantic Way!