MTU Arts Office and Cork Folk Festival present singer songwriters Fiona Kennedy and Billy Kennedy in a special lunchtime concert as part of the 45th annual Cork Folk Festival.

Thursday 3rd October

RORY GALLAGHER THEATRE, MTU Bishopstown Campus

1-2pm

This is a free but ticketted event, sponsored by MTU Arts Office

Described in a recent review on the Irish Examiner as “artists on the top rung of the musical ladder”, Fiona Kennedy & Billy Kennedy are singer-songwriters who have delighted and enthralled audiences nationwide with their uplifting songs and spellbinding performances.

Though each has their own unique style and musical path, together this duo create a special magic onstage resulting in unforgettable performances and a real warmth in their connection with the audience.

Fiona Kennedy’s association with the Cork Folk Festival stretches back as far as 1983 and through the decades, this Cork singer songwriter has remained committed to her music and artistry through a lifetime of change. Fiona’s latest album “Find Me” was released in March 2023 earning the title of Album of the Week on RTE LyricFm’s Marty in the Morning and securing airplay across radio stations nationwide.

”All Together Now” climbed to the No. 4 spot on the Irish & UK Airplay chart & stayed on the RTE Radio 1 Recommends list for several weeks.  An IRMA Award nominee and a celebrated recording artist, Fiona has graced stages & television screens, with her evocative performances. She has supported international artists such as Carole King, Kris Kristofferson & John Martyn, and worked with producers and musicians including Bill Shanley, Jimmy Smyth & Christian Best.

Fiona also created the stage show Natural Woman, songs inspired by the lives and works of extraordinary women. Her song “We Will Dance”, a tribute to Cork WW2 heroine Mary Elmes, was performed live as part of the show which sold out several nights in the Cork Arts Theatre earlier this year and the huge amount of audience feedback about this particular song was the catalyst for its release as a 2024 single.

“Fiona Kennedy is a gifted songwriter” - Clodagh Finn, The Irish Examiner

 “Fiona has such a beautiful voice” - Crystal Gayle

“This talented Irish lady has the ability to change mood at the drop of a hat…. More earworms than you can cope with”  - Progradar U.K.

Billy Kennedy released his first solo album “This Old Life” in 2012. The Evening Echo described his songs as having “A gentle poetic sensibility. Upbeat pop fused with Americana.”

Red FM's Neil Prendeville described it as “One of the best things around”. He has released a number of singles over the years including 'Angels On Patrick Street' with Crosshaven Community Choir, and ‘Sea Creatures’ which was included on RTE Radio 1 Recommends list.

Billy likes to put on concerts in unusual atmospheric venues such as St Mathew's in Crosshaven, a roofless church overlooking Cork Harbour, and Christ Church, Glandore. Billy runs the highly acclaimed Harbour Lights Singer Songwriter Club hosting artists from the US, Canada, UK, and, of course, Ireland. In a recent review Billy was described as “..a truly poetic soul, great songwriter, singer and up there with the best guitarists I’ve seen” Joe Dermody, The Irish Examiner.

Fiona Kennedy & Billy Kennedy live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy2O4rz2ODYS8put4V4CIwQ

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2XLohQJFHdfwq9xuxODdz6?si=z3V-V2umSsGUPc11fdSxdA