Wallis Bird and Niall Connolly

Appearing at the Irish Arts Center in her New York debut, Wallis Bird is a double Meteor Award-winner in her native Ireland. An exceptional guitarist, her self-affirming songs display an unusual emotional breadth that defies categorization. Bird’s new self-titled album is her third and follows Spoons (2007) and New Boots (2009) which saw her garner critical acclaim and tour with the likes of Billy Bragg, Gabrielle, The Feeling and Rodrigo y Gabriela.

A founding member of Big City Folk Collective, Niall Connolly is a compelling live performer whose lyrics confirm the well-honed craft of an honest and watchful storyteller. His songs spiral through time from the marshy landscapes of Cork, Ireland to the overspill of the modern metropolis. Connolly’s songs have been covered by more than 20 acts worldwide. He is currently working on his sixth studio album.