Conor Mallon Band - one of the finest uillean pipe players of his generation
Conor Mallon is widely regarded as one of the finest uillean pipers of his generation and we are delighted to support this local artist on tour in 2026.
After solidifying his reputation through extensive tours across Europe and the US with Connla, Mallon exploded onto the scene with his debut album ‘Unearthed’ in 2024. It received a nomination for the NI Music Prize Album of the Year, a performance slot at the award show in the Ulster Hall and was nominated for a German Critics Prize.
Conor was the first recipient of the ACNI/BBC NI Young Traditional Musicians Platform award and subsequently was a guest musician with the Ulster Orchestra and with the award winning Foden’s Brass Band. Conor is a Senior County, Ulster and All-Ireland Champion on Uilleann Pipes in the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and has won many other awards including the Uilleann Piping Scholarship by the Na Píobairí Uilleann Dublin in 2008 and was the first recipient of the Mark Donnelly Bursary for Uilleann Piping Award in 2010.
He is joined in the band by three of Ireland’s finest exponents who all recorded on Unearthed:
Jack Warnock is a singer and a multi-instrumentalist from Maghera, Co. Derry. “Jack Warnock's voice could entice the birds from the trees” - The Irish News
Throughout his career Jack has performed as a soloist, accompanist, and in groups such as TRODA, Cóiriú and The Doc Flock. He has performed at events, festivals, and venues across the world. In recent years Jack has been nominated for the prestigious BBC Young Folk Award, won the Senior Accompaniment Competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, and received the ‘Young Musician’s Platform’ award from ACNI and BBC NI.
Paul Starrett is from Derry City in the North of Ireland and is a fellow member of Connla. In July 2011 he graduated from the University of Ulster with a Bachelors Degree in Music (Bmus). He has been involved in teaching the guitar from a young age, from giving group lessons in the Nerve Centre in the city to private tuition in his home. Paul brings experience from a wide range of styles having played in jazz, rock, blues and other traditional groups. He works extensively as a session musician and has played at numerous festivals/events throughout the world including The Fleadh, The Walled City Tattoo, The Olympic Torch and the famous Milwaukee Irish Fest.
Colm Phelan Colm is one of the founding members of Trad super group ‘Goitse’ who have released five critically acclaimed albums and have an extensive year round touring schedule. He has also toured as a guest with Beoga, Celtic Legends and numerous other productions over the years.
He is also a two time All Ireland Bodhran Champion & the first ever World Bodhran Champion.
Co founder of Búla Buzz.
“Mallon’s piping has an innate swing that exhorts the listener to get into the groove”
Irish Times
“...masterful and accomplished”
Ellen Cranitch, RTÉ lyric
“Conor Mallon’s Piping is at the forefront of a confident, new and important movement of Irish piping.”
Irish American News
“…leading the next generation of Uilleann pipe players.”
Folking.com
“Unearthed is an album that will be talked about and referenced for years to come…it puts Conor up there alongside Davy Spillane; the comparison isn’t a vacuous one, Conor’s music has the same sweeping ambition, and shares a vision of the possibilities of the pipes beyond the pure drop tradition (of which he is a recognised master)”
Irish Music Magazine
“Jack Warnock's voice could entice the birds from the trees”
The Irish News
Conor Mallon Band - one of the finest uillean pipe players of his generation
Conor Mallon is widely regarded as one of the finest uillean pipers of his generation and we are delighted to support this local artist on tour in 2026.
After solidifying his reputation through extensive tours across Europe and the US with Connla, Mallon exploded onto the scene with his debut album ‘Unearthed’ in 2024. It received a nomination for the NI Music Prize Album of the Year, a performance slot at the award show in the Ulster Hall and was nominated for a German Critics Prize.
Conor was the first recipient of the ACNI/BBC NI Young Traditional Musicians Platform award and subsequently was a guest musician with the Ulster Orchestra and with the award winning Foden’s Brass Band. Conor is a Senior County, Ulster and All-Ireland Champion on Uilleann Pipes in the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and has won many other awards including the Uilleann Piping Scholarship by the Na Píobairí Uilleann Dublin in 2008 and was the first recipient of the Mark Donnelly Bursary for Uilleann Piping Award in 2010.
He is joined in the band by three of Ireland’s finest exponents who all recorded on Unearthed:
Jack Warnock is a singer and a multi-instrumentalist from Maghera, Co. Derry. “Jack Warnock's voice could entice the birds from the trees” - The Irish News
Throughout his career Jack has performed as a soloist, accompanist, and in groups such as TRODA, Cóiriú and The Doc Flock. He has performed at events, festivals, and venues across the world. In recent years Jack has been nominated for the prestigious BBC Young Folk Award, won the Senior Accompaniment Competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, and received the ‘Young Musician’s Platform’ award from ACNI and BBC NI.
Paul Starrett is from Derry City in the North of Ireland and is a fellow member of Connla. In July 2011 he graduated from the University of Ulster with a Bachelors Degree in Music (Bmus). He has been involved in teaching the guitar from a young age, from giving group lessons in the Nerve Centre in the city to private tuition in his home. Paul brings experience from a wide range of styles having played in jazz, rock, blues and other traditional groups. He works extensively as a session musician and has played at numerous festivals/events throughout the world including The Fleadh, The Walled City Tattoo, The Olympic Torch and the famous Milwaukee Irish Fest.
Colm Phelan Colm is one of the founding members of Trad super group ‘Goitse’ who have released five critically acclaimed albums and have an extensive year round touring schedule. He has also toured as a guest with Beoga, Celtic Legends and numerous other productions over the years.
He is also a two time All Ireland Bodhran Champion & the first ever World Bodhran Champion.
Co founder of Búla Buzz.
“Mallon’s piping has an innate swing that exhorts the listener to get into the groove”
Irish Times
“...masterful and accomplished”
Ellen Cranitch, RTÉ lyric
“Conor Mallon’s Piping is at the forefront of a confident, new and important movement of Irish piping.”
Irish American News
“…leading the next generation of Uilleann pipe players.”
Folking.com
“Unearthed is an album that will be talked about and referenced for years to come…it puts Conor up there alongside Davy Spillane; the comparison isn’t a vacuous one, Conor’s music has the same sweeping ambition, and shares a vision of the possibilities of the pipes beyond the pure drop tradition (of which he is a recognised master)”
Irish Music Magazine
“Jack Warnock's voice could entice the birds from the trees”
The Irish News
Good to know
Highlights
- 2 hours
- In person
- Doors at 2:30 PM
Refund Policy
Location
Portico of Ards
Steel Dickson Avenue
Portaferry Portaferry BT22 1LE
How do you want to get there?
