On July 6, Folklife Festival visitors were treated to a presentation of Irish American music and dance by an all-star cast from across the Mid-Atlantic. The group was led by Mick Moloney on guitar and banjo and Billy McComiskey on accordion, with guest dancer Kevin Doyle—all three have been awarded the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts for their cultural expertise.

McComiskey’s sons Mikey, Pat, and Sean accompanied on accordion and tin whistle, along with fiddlers Brendan Callahan and Liz Hanley, pianist Donna Long, flute player Laura Byrne, guitarist Josh Dukes, and percussionist Myron Bretholz on the bodhrán drum. Step dancers Shannon Dunne, Kate Spanos, and Samantha Suplee took to the front of the stage, with Dunne’s students on the dance floor.