Things to do in Carlow, Ireland

Sharon Shannon - Killiney - Oct 3

Oct 3SHARON SHANNON LIVE IN CONCERT @ FITZPATRICK CASTLE HOTEL - OCT 3 Sharon Shannon has recorded and toured with a who's who of the Irish and global music industry: Bono, Adam Clayton, Sinéad O’Connor, Jackson Browne, John Prine, Steve Earle, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, The Chieftains, The Waterboys, Willie Nelson, Nigel Kennedy, Alison Krauss, Shane MacGowan, La Bottine Souriante, Johnny Depp, Linton Kwesi Johnson, and Dessie O'Halloran. This impressive list is a testament to Sharon’s versatility and talent. Her style is distinctively Irish, and she has been hugely influential in promoting Irish music both at home and abroad. Born into a traditional music household in the cultural heartland of County Clare, Sharon developed an accordion style inspired by the fiddle playing of Tommy Peoples. Her collaborations span continents; across the USA with John Prine and Steve Earle, Canada with Natalie MacMaster, Japan with the Kodo, and Malawi with the Umoza Children of Mzuzu. She has spent her musical life bringing the traditional music of Ireland to the world. Sharon has performed for U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton (at the White House) and Barack Obama (in Dublin), as well as Irish Presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese on official visits. She recently accompanied Irish President Michael D. Higgins on his state tour of China and performed at his inauguration in Dublin Castle. President Higgins has called her "a national treasure." The genre-defying star has achieved multi-platinum album sales, with several number one albums, singles, and DVDs in Ireland. Her album Galway Girl went four times platinum, with the title track winning the Meteor Award for the most downloaded song two years in a row. Sharon is also the youngest ever recipient of the Meteor Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2015, she received an IBAM Award in Chicago for her “unique contribution to Irish music,” alongside Darina Allen and actor Liam Neeson. Sharon's talents extend into the film industry, with her music featured in several Hollywood productions and a cameo role in Ondine. She also collaborated on a stage production of The Playboy of the Western World, directed by Jim Sheridan. A prolific composer, she continues to defy genre boundaries—as seen in her 2012 album Flying Circus, recorded with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. It was a landmark moment, making her the first Irish artist to compose and record an original album of Irish traditional music with a full concert orchestra. Her 2017 album Sacred Earth showcases her eccentric genius, blending African and reggae sounds with traditional Irish music. In 2013, she co-wrote an album for The High Kings and has frequently collaborated with legendary musician Dónal Lunny. In 2018, she released a collaborative album with Leinster and Ireland rugby star Robbie Henshaw, The Secret Sessions, in aid of South Westmeath Hospice. Sharon regularly tours and performs at festivals around the world, including in Ireland, the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, China, Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Japan. In 2025, she undertook a major international tour with Steve Earle, further cementing her reputation as one of Ireland’s most globally recognised musicians. She also marked St. Patrick’s Day 2025 with a special performance in Dublin alongside Bob Geldof. During the 2019 lockdown, she achieved viral status with the “Jolly Roger” Facebook video, later recording the track for her 2020 album The Reckoning. The album merges diverse cultures and musical influences and is widely regarded as one of her most unique and original works. In 2024, she released a box set and a new album titled Now!, marking 30 years of recording and a lifelong love of sharing music. Sharon's career spans more than 30 years, with over 20 albums, countless DVDs, filmed concerts, and musical collaborations. She has performed at prestigious venues including the Kennedy Center and Wembley Arena, continually redefining the boundaries of Irish traditional music by blending it with genres like reggae and classical. She holds an honorary Doctor of Music from the University of Galway and in 2026 received a Doctorate of Letters from Trinity College Dublin. Sharon continues to tour and will release another album in October 2026.

What to do in Carlow

Between Sunday, September 13, 2026 and Thursday, November 12, 2026