Shepherdstown Music and Dance invites all to a fine evening of Irish music and lore as former Cherish The Ladies lead singer Aoife Clancy, from the legendary Clancy family, joins forces with longtime favorite and “Celtic guitar god” Robin Bullock, in an evening of traditional Irish song and intricate instrumental pieces at the lovely, historic St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Friday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m.

Aoife Clancy (pronounced “Eefa”) brings a refreshing new voice to folk music, one that ranges from traditional Irish songs to ballads and contemporary folk. Aoife comes from the small town of Carrick-on-Suir, in County Tipperary, Ireland, where her musical career began at an early age. Her father Bobby Clancy of the legendary Clancy Brothers, placed a guitar in her hands at age 10 and by age 14 she was playing with her father in nearby pubs. In 1995 Aoife was asked to join the acclaimed group Cherish The Ladies, one of the most sought-after Irish American groups in history. For the past four years Aoife has toured extensively, doing over two hundred dates a year throughout the United States and Europe. She has been a featured soloist with orchestras such as the Boston Pops and Cincinnati Pops and, while performing with Cherish The Ladies, collaborated with the Boston Pops on their Grammy nominated Celtic album.

Hailed as a “Celtic guitar god” by the Baltimore City Paper, Robin Bullock’s virtuosity on guitar, cittern and mandolin blends the ancient melodies of the Celtic lands, their vigorous Appalachian descendants and the timeless masterworks of the Baroque and Renaissance eras into one powerful musical vision. Robin is a winner of “Editor’s Pick” and “Player’s Choice” Awards from Acoustic Guitar magazine, the Association for Independent Music’s prestigious INDIE Award (with the world-music trio Helicon), multiple Washington Area Music Association WAMMIE Awards, a Governor’s Award from the Maryland State Arts Council, and a bronze medal at the National Mandolin Championships in Winfield, Kansas. The most recent of his 13 solo and collaborative recordings is The Carolan Collection, a compilation of the legendary Irish bard’s compositions, sales of which benefit animal rescue organizations in western North Carolina where Robin now lives. His next project, volume one of which is due out in the fall of 2016, is the first-ever complete recording of the Bach Cello Suites on solo mandolin. In addition to his solo work, Robin also tours internationally with Grammy-winning folk legend Tom Paxton, including Tom’s 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015 “Together at Last” tours with fellow Grammy winner Janis Ian.

The new duo of Aoife Clancy and Robin Bullock blends Aoife’s otherworldly Irish voice with Robin’s guitar wizardry for a magical and unforgettable evening of Celtic tradition alive and well in the 21st century. This concert is the first concert in this Shepherdstown Music and Dance’s International Concert Series this season. The concert starts at 8p.m. Admission cost is $20 adults, $18 seniors, $15 SMD members, $10 students and will be taken at the door. For more information, see the web page at smad.us, call Joanie at (304) 263-2531 or email updf@earthlink.net.