Reviews

Recent Awards

* Áine has been named “Best Female Vocalist of 2016” in Irish American News ‘Best of the Year awards’!

*Freiburg international ‘Leiter’ Music award 2016* selected by over 400 journalists.

*Traditional Group of the Year 2015* – Live Ireland Awards

*Group of the Year 2015* – Chicago Irish American News awards

Inspired by Chance Reviews 2016

“If at the end of the year the BBC contact me (as they do) and ask me to name my gig of the year (as they do) Goitse at The Dunamaise Theatre would be a country mile ahead of anything I’ve seen this past five years.“ – Sean Laffey, Editor of Irish Music Magazine (May 2016)

‘Inspired by Chance’ was selected by Songlines magazine for their “Top of the World” albums and a track from their album was selected for British Airways flights commencing in October 2016.

“‘Inspired By Chance’ closes with ‘Inspired’ and ‘Chance’ two more sets blending the roots of tradition with the freedom of creativity … and perfectly summing up Goitse.” Folkwords Review

“A powerful tour de force… Inspired by Chance must be their best album yet” – fRoots Magazine

 Tall Tales & Misadventures 2014

“Originally formed in Limerick University this Irish quintet delivers an authoritative third album. Sprightly instrumentals with exciting and unexpected twists topped off with winsome vocals. The rough edges have been honed into an exciting energetic package with requisite bulls eyes hit.” – fRoots Magazine

“Their new CD, Tall Tales & Misadventures is a blockbuster and by far their best work yet, full of new songs and classic pieces. If you love intricate Irish Music played by people that know and enjoy what they’re doing and a singer with the voice of an angel this CD is for you.” Jack Baker, Irish American News

“This act is now so polished and professional it is no wonder that they are one of the most popular acts on the international festival circuit” – Chicago Irish American News

“They have cornered the market in scalpel-like rhythms and gloriously spacious set pieces” – Siobhan Long, Irish Times

“Music that’s brimming with energy and creative zeal” Irish Music Magazine

“With Tall Tales and Misadventures, Goitse have taken their expressive landscape of sound to a whole new level” – Eileen Mc Cabe

“This mix of gentle grace and gloves-off grit is becoming a hallmark of Goitse’s recordings” – Living Tradition

“The new album is a stunner.” – Live Ireland

“Transformed” (2012)

“Scintillating, graceful, soaring music with three charming vocal tracks Transformed is an impressive album by anyone’s standards, and a great second outing for this exciting new band. Definitely a 2012 Top Ten album!”

 -Alex Monaghan FolkWorld

“This collection of original and traditional music is seamless flawless and powerful, full of humor and energy that the members of Goitse are famous for.”                                                                                                                                               – Jack Baker, Irish American News

“They play with the wisdom of musicians with many more road miles beneath their belt.”  Siobhan Long, Irish Times

“Goitse’s music possesses a strength power and maturity that is well beyond their years. Produced and mixed by Donal Lunny, Transformed sees Goitse Transfer from the periphery to the big league” John O Regan (Journalist, Irish Music Magazine) 

“They play with an easy assurance that should cause those fretting about the future of Irish trad to rest more easily at night.”– Hotpress Magazine

“Simply terrific” Irish Post 

“they are bound for success”– Irland Journal (Germany)

Testimonials

“Goitse have a unique personality which is manifested in their music which I really love.”  – Donal Lunny 

“Holy smokes!!! – I thought the whole bunch of us was going to jump out of our seats when Goitse played our Showcase at the World Music Centre at the University of Limerick. Surely, we’ll see you in the U.S. and in Milwaukee.”– Ed Ward, Executive Director and Founder of Milwaukee Irish Festival

“Goitse are band that were conceived and developed here at the University of Limerick over the four years. The band has developed in that time into one of the more individual and exception voices in folk and traditional music.?Individually the members of the ensemble are leaders in their field. Áine Mc Geeney is one of the leading young traditional fiddlers in a

northern style whose vocals is a marriage of contemporary and traditional technique. Colm Phelan is one of Ireland’s leading young percussionists, and an exceptional bodhran player, providing new dimensions to the voice instrument. Conal O’Kane brings new complexity to guitar accompaniment through his adoption of contemporary themes and styling. James Harvey is simply the best young tenor banjo player about at the moment and Tadhg O Meachair is one of the busiest and individual musicians in Europe today.?Goitse produce a new sound, and are leading exponents in their field individually. They have managed to help reinvigorate a tradition looking for new directions in ensemble and contribute to this practice in a unique and startling way. I recommend Goitse whole-heartedly.”– Niall Keegan, Course Director,BA Irish Music and Dance