Your Roots Are Showing Wraps Its Third Year

Folk In Fusion’s All -Star lineup sings “The Weight”
To Close Out ‘Your Roots Are Showing’ 2025 Kick Off Concert
(Photo by Colin Gillen)
Your Roots Are Showing Wraps Its Third Year By Doubling Conference Attendance, 100+ Artist Showcases, A New Host Venue, A Sold Out Kick Off Concert and 2025 Partnerships with International Media Brand, American Songwriter and IBMA
Your Roots Are Showing, Ireland’s premiere music conference, wrapped its third consecutive event year on Sunday, January 19th with double its attendance from 2024, 100+ artist showcases, a new host venue, the Gleneagle Hotel and Conference center in Killarney, an all-star and sold-out kick-off concert called Folk In Fusion, and two major partnerships for 2025: a media partnership with international media brand American Songwriter and an organisation partnership with the International Bluegrass Music Association.
Charlene Sloan, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Your Roots Are Showing says, “This year’s event was a resounding success, with the INEC at full capacity for the Folk iN FUSION concert and over 100 showcase acts from across the globe. Our partnerships with organizations like American Songwriter and IBMA continue to elevate the conference, creating meaningful opportunities for artists and industry professionals. Presenting Peter Rowan with our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award was a true highlight, celebrating his immense contribution to folk and bluegrass music.”
“To see Your Roots Are Showing grow into a sold-out event is incredibly rewarding,” says Brendan McCreanor, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Your Roots Are Showing. “This year’s lineup brought together incredible talent, both emerging and established, showcasing the richness of folk traditions worldwide. Our partnerships and collaborations reflect the event’s global reach, and honoring Peter Rowan with our first Lifetime Achievement Award was a fitting tribute to a legend of the genre.”
The week kicked off with the inaugural Folk In Fusion concert at Killarney’s INEC Arena, running nearly four hours and including performances by Peter Rowan (Bluegrass legend who received the inaugural Your Roots Are Showing Lifetime Achievement Award), Ron Block (14 time GRAMMY-winning member of Alison Krauss & Union Station, celebrated for his masterful banjo and guitar playing), Rhiannon Giddens (Two-time GRAMMY winner and Pulitzer Prize recipient, who also delivered the conference’s main keynote on Saturday Jan. 18).
Sandy Kelly (Ireland’s first lady of country music and the only Irish artist to ever record with Johnny Cash), Brendan McCreanor (known for his innovative approach to the uilleann pipes, showcasing the rich sounds of Ireland) Gerry O’Connor (a world-renowned fiddle player with a deep respect for tradition), Liam Ó Maonlaí (the powerful voice behind Hothouse Flowers, a cornerstone of Irish culture), and Nashville-based Kenny Sharp and Brown Liquor Music whose music is rooted in the American South and draws on everything from Blues and Soul to Country, Funk, Rock & Roll.
The growth Your Roots Are Showing has seen in its three-year journey is reflected by a move to a new, bigger venue to accomodate the increase in industry attendees, media, exhibitors, artists and music lovers in general.
McCreanor adds, “The expanded international presence this year has been inspiring, with bands from 14 countries, including Guyana, Australia, Canada, the USA, Spain, the UK, and Ireland. The breadth of talent and perspectives has elevated the entire event. This global impact underscores the importance of platforms like Your Roots Are Showing in bringing together voices from across the world to share, learn, and celebrate the universal language of folk music.”
“We were thrilled to host this year’s conference at The Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry, one of Ireland’s most famous and scenic destinations. The proximity to Gleneagle INEC Arena was part of
our draw to this venue, which is where we held our inaugural Folk In Fusion kick off concert headlined by Rhiannon Giddens. The Gleneagle also offers world class natural beauty with activities and attractions on their doorstep, including Killarney National Park’s stunning lakes, and mountains,” added Sloan.
The conference wrapped up with the YRAS Music Trail which started at St. Mary’s Church in the beloved Irish town of Killarney, visiting more than 12 pubs featuring artist performances at each location. The Music Trail ended with a surprise performance by Rhiannon Giddens joining Dirk and Amelia Powell, and calling Kenny Sharp to the stage for a magical session. Liam O’Maonlaí also attended the entire trail and joined in on the traditional Irish session at the end of the night. The music trail was free to the public as part of the conference’s “community give back” initiative.
Next year’s conference dates will be announced soon, with a link for artist showcase submssions following shortly thereafter.
Follow Your Roots Are Showing:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ShowingRootsIRL/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/showing_roots
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Showing_Roots
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-roots-are-showing/
Website: https://www.showingroots.com/
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