12•12•25
The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living And Became Mixed Up Zombies
12 December, 2025 @5:00pm Free, The Green Room
Mary Dillon, Dónal O’Connor & Neil Martin
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Following on from two sold-out performances at CQAF 2024, we’re delighted to welcome back Mary Dillon, Dónal O’Connor and Neil Martin to the Out to Lunch Festival.
Together, they weave a tapestry of traditional and contemporary sounds — Dillon’s luminous voice, O’Connor’s deft fiddle and keys, and Martin’s masterful cello — in performances that are both intimate and transcendent.
They delve into the essence of our traditions, distilling the pure drop while reimagining and interpreting both old and new material with equal sensitivity.
After a string of sold-out shows around the country, and a special collaboration with Martin Hayes at the Grand Opera House, this outstanding trio returns for what promises to be another spellbinding evening of song, music, and witty repartee.
“A trio that’s more than the sum of its parts.” – Irish News
Renowned for her pure, emotive singing and deep connection to the Ulster song tradition, Mary Dillon is one of Ireland’s most revered vocalists. As the singer of the acclaimed band Déanta, her voice has captivated audiences worldwide with its elegance, authenticity, and heart.
An outstanding fiddler, composer, and producer from a celebrated Oriel musical family, Dónal O’Connor has toured internationally and collaborated with many leading lights of traditional music — including Paul Brady, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Liam Ó Maonlaí, and Karen Matheson, to name but a few. A creative force both on and off stage, his work spans performance, production, and festival direction, uniting technical mastery with a deep respect for tradition.
Composer, cellist, and arranger Neil Martin bridges the classical and traditional worlds with rare artistry. His music has been performed everywhere from Ground Zero to the Royal Albert Hall, and he has worked with artists ranging from Liam O’Flynn to the Ulster Orchestra. His performances are marked by emotional depth, virtuosity, and a distinctive Belfast sensibility.
“Three of Irish traditional music’s best.” – The Irish World
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