Part of Manchester Folk Festival 2027
A celebrated composer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and visual artist, Barry is known for work that captures the raw pulse and quiet poetry of Irish life. Originally from the southern shores of Lough Neagh and now rooted in the wild landscape of Connemara, he has carved out a distinctive voice over more than two decades of touring and recording—sharing stages with some of Ireland’s most revered performers.
Barry recorded his debut album at just seventeen, launching an international career that has seen him collaborate with luminaries such as Steve Cooney, Cara Dillon, Julie Fowlis, Lumiere, and Dervish. His compositions have travelled even further, finding new life in the hands of artists including Karan Casey, Flook, Jiggy, Beoga, Brian Finnegan, Damian O’Kane, and Kate Rusby.
An award-winning musician with a reputation for artistic fearlessness, Barry received the inaugural Liam O’Flynn Award from the National Concert Hall and the Arts Council in 2020. In 2023, he served as Traditional Musician in Residence at University College Cork. His creative curiosity continues to push boundaries—most notably in Fuascail, his meditative film exploring Ireland’s decade of centenaries, broadcast on TG4 in December 2022.
At the heart of Barry’s recent work lies Curlew’s Cry: a haunting, luminous collection of original and traditional songs inspired by folklore, memory, and the natural world. Its shortlist for Folk Album of the Year marks a powerful moment in the evolution of an artist whose voice is as timeless as it is unmistakably his own.
Manchester Folk Festival marks 10 years with Eliza Carthy & The Restitution, Belinda O’Hooley & Jackie Oates, Spiers & Boden, Leveret, Olivia Chaney, Fionn Regan, Pokey LaFarge, Catrin Finch & Aoife Ní Bhriain and many more performing from Wednesday 10th – Saturday 13th March 2027.
Manchester Folk Festival is a multi-venue festival taking place in the heart of the city, bringing together a diverse range of artists who represent the broad definition of contemporary folk music. Discover the best traditional folk, roots and acoustic music across a variety of the city’s iconic music venues.
Their four-day Festival Legends 2027 wristbands offer full access to every gig, session, ceilidh and event during the festival – you can book those here. Individual tickets for all headline shows are also now available.
“Arguably the UK’s leading urban folk festival, which given its relatively short history is a real endorsement of the event” – BBC Radio
