The Koroit Irish Festival is home to some the best Irish music, dance, comedy and song in Australia.
After all, we are the heart of Ireland in Australia.
What a line up of talent we are assembling for the 2021 Koroit Irish Festival.
AUSTRAL
Carving a new path in Australia’s Celtic music scene, Austral are an energetic group of young musicians with family roots in Irish traditional music and have come together for new sounds combining didgeridoo, Irish pipes, high energy fiddling, journeying songs and energetic foot percussion. Don’t miss Austral, they will leave you pleasantly stunned!
Claire Lynch.
MELBOURNE ROSE OF TRALEE –
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that a contingent from the Melbourne Rose of Tralee have accepted an invitation to join us at the 2021 Koroit Irish Festival.
Former winner Claire Lynch will be in Koroit for the festival, talking about the famous Rose of Tralee concept and how it’s importance has spread all around the world. Melbourne Rose of Tralee president and current Irish-Australian of the Year Chris Moloughney will be joining Claire as special guests at our Opening Night and will be part of the Street Procession on Saturday. The visit fits in perfectly with our Celebrating Irish-Australian Women theme.
BHAN TRE
A wonderful old-fashioned Singalong will again be at the heart of our Opening Night on Friday April 30. Leading the Singalong this year will be renowned Melbourne Irish band Bhan Tre.
These girls are the perfect fit for our 2021 Koroit Irish Festival theme, CELEBRATING IRISH-AUSTRALIAN WOMEN.
They will also be performing on Saturday May 1, where they will be presented with their 2021 Koroit Irish Festival Artist of the Year award.
CHRISTINE AYRES SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING
There are few things that set Irish hearts racing as much as Irish dance.
In the Christie Ayres School of Irish Dancing, we believe we have some of the best exponents of Irish dance in the world coming back to our stage in Koroit Theatre in 2021.
What a brilliant show these amazing dancers will put on again.
THE FERRITERS
We are so excited to announce Geelong band The Ferriters will be making their Koroit Irish Festival debut in 2021.
This ripper little outfit play all the classics and some cracker originals and will no doubt become a Koroit favourite.
THE SESSION
Some of the most respected Celtic players in south-west Victoria have joined together to form this collective, The Session. Led by Merran Moir and Jo Brooks, this talented bunch will add even more depth and class to a line-up of Celtic performers to match any in the country.
MARIA FORDE
The queen of Irish music in Australia and a beloved figure in Koroit. Maria Forde will once again bring with her to Koroit a beautiful collection of songs and a wonderful stage presence, a package that has long made her a Koroit Irish Festival favourite.
OLD MELBOURNE ROAD
The boys from Ballarat do Irish rock as well as anyone and always make everywhere they play into a party. Old Melbourne Road play the Irish classics and as everyone knows, there are no better classics than the Irish classics.
KNOT O’ THE GATE
If you like your Irish music high energy then make sure you put shows from Knot O’ The Gate on your Koroit Irish Festival agenda for 2021. These lads are pros and know how to put on a performance that gets feet tapping and Irish hearts beating strong.
THE RUMMAGERS
We are excited to bring The Rummagers back to town in 2021.
This four-piece band from the rugged Victorian coastline play some mean tunes and will quickly become a must-see. The Rummagers feature former Koroit man and Kilmurphys member Michael Murphy.
TREVOR, MEL & MICK
This talented trio, featuring Trevor McKenzie, Melissa McKenzie and Mick Morgan, have a very special role to play at this year’s festival. They will play a tribute to the late, great Frank “Tuddy” Bowman at the Friday night concert and at Izzy’s on Saturday morning. Melissa is one of Tuddy’s nieces.