History of Sean-nós Northwest
The first Sean-nós Northwest Festival was held in Portland, Oregon in 2008, and was a small one-day event organized by Portland singer David Ingerson, featuring Seán Williams (singing) and Maldon Meehan (dancing). The festival grew steadily, eventually alternating between Portland and Olympia, Washington. Sean-nós Northwest was organized as a Washington State nonprofit corporation in 2009 by founding Board members Seán Williams, David Ingerson, Maldon Meehan, Alicia Guinn, Kimberly Goetz, and Graham Smith.
In 2014, the Irish Cultural Society of the Pacific Northwest took over the responsibility of running the festival. We were awarded 501(c)(3) status in 2015.
PREVIOUS SEAN-NÓS NW FESTIVALS
We’ve been very fortunate to have an amazing variety of guest instructors over the festival’s history. Below is a list of guest instructors and, where available, copies of our programs and posters.
2019 Program and Instructors
John Prendergast
Brían Ó hAirt
Brian Ó Domhnaill
Patrick Devane
Colm MacCárthaigh
Dale Russ
John Whelan
Seán Williams
David Ingerson
Bob Burke
Alicia Guinn
Jill Sattler
Kimberly Goetz
2018 Program, Posters, and Instructors
2018 Sean-nós NW Festival Program
2018 Sean-nós NW Festival Poster
Orla Nic Thaidhg
Máirín Uí Chéide
Jackie O'Riley
Dale Russ
Joey Abarta
John Whelan
Seán Williams
David Ingerson
Bob Burke
Alicia Guinn
Jill Sattler
Kimberly Goetz
2017 Program, Posters, And Instructors
2017 Sean-nós NW Festival Program
2017 Sean-nós NW Festival Poster
Pa Sheehan
Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde
Colleen Raney
Shannon Dunne
Randal Bays
Felim Egan
Sarah Kellington
Seán Williams
David Ingerson
Bob Burke
Alicia Guinn
Jill Sattler
Kimberly Goetz
2016 Program, Poster, And Instructors
2016 Sean-nós NW Festival Program
2016 Sean-nós NW Festival Poster
Bairbre Ní Chiardha
Bridget Fitzgerald
Kieran Jordan
Hanz Araki
Randal Bays
Seán Williams
David Ingerson
Bob Burke
Alicia Guinn
Jill Sattler
Kimberly Goetz
2015 Program, Poster, And Instructors
2015 Sean-nós NW Festival Program
2015 Sean-nós NW Festival Poster
Liam Ó Cuinneagáin
Mary Mc Laughlin
Siobhan Butler
Danny O’Mahony
Brían Ó hAirt
Dale Russ
Tes Slominski
Riley McLaughlin
Seán Williams
David Ingerson
Bob Burke
Alicia Guinn
Jill Sattler
Kimberly Goetz
2014 Program, Poster, And Instructors
2014 Sean-nós NW Festival Program
2014 Sean-nós NW Festival Poster
Máirín Uí Chéide
Mary Mc Laughlin
Shannon Dunne
Eliot Grasso
Anthea Lawrence
Seán Williams
David Ingerson
Bob Burke
Brían Ó hAirt
Alicia Guinn
Meredith English
Jill Sattler
Kimberly Goetz
2013 Program, Poster, And Instructors
2013 Sean-nós NW Festival Program
2013 Sean-nós NW Festival Poster
Kevin Burke
Traolach Ó Riordáin
Ben Power
Seán Williams
David Ingerson
Bob Burke
Alicia Guinn
Maldon Meehan
Kimberly Goetz
Meredith English
Jill Sattler
Richard Mandel
Autumn Rhodes
Darcy Noonan
2012 Schedule, Poster, And Instructors
2012 Sean-nós Festival Schedule
2012 Sean-nós NW Festival Poster
Micheál Ó Cuaig
Traolach Ó Riordáin
Rónán Regan
Sean McComiskey
Seán Williams
David Ingerson
Bob Burke
Brían Ó hAirt
Maldon Meehan
Kimberly Goetz
Meredith English
2011 Instructors
Emma O'Sullivan
Celia Ní Fhátharta
Imelda White
Seán Williams
David Ingerson
Bob Burke
Maldon Meehan
Alicia Guinn
2010 Instructors
Kevin Burke
Kieran Jordan
Lillis Ó Laoire
Seán Williams
David Ingerson
Bob Burke
Brían Ó hAirt
Maldon Meehan
Alicia Guinn
2009 Instructors
Brían Ó hAirt
Ben Power
Aíne Ní Meenghan
2008 Instructors
David Ingerson
Seán Williams
Maldon Meehan