Cast & Crew

Caty Cleary

Cast 1 - Vocalist / Violinist

Caty Cleary is a dynamic violinist, fiddle player, and vocalist specializing in traditional Irish and folk music. Born in Seattle, Washington, USA, Caty has called Ireland home for the past seven years, since moving to Dublin to further her study of traditional music as an undergraduate. A member of the prestigious Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra, Caty has performed on stages across the world. As a key member of the internationally touring band Na Cailligh, they have performed in both Ireland and the Netherlands, contributing to the band's debut album release in 2023. Their work with Na Cailligh also featured them at the opening of Dublin's TRADFEST 2024, solidifying their reputation as a leading performer in the genre. In 2024, Caty took the stage at two of Ireland's biggest cultural events, performing at Electric Picnic and the Dublin Fringe Festival alongside artist Róisín El Cherif, showcasing their broad range as a performer across a multitude of genres. Caty also has the privilege of performing on large stages with Trad is Amach, a LGBTQ+ collective of Irish traditional musicians, singers, and dancers from all over the world. Recently, Caty had the experience of performing with Trad is Amach at the Dublin City Council Smithfield Fleadh for the GAYLÍ event, an honest-to-goodness Céilí hosted by the collective group. Caty has appeared at high-profile events such as Tourism Ireland’s Bloomsday Madrid, captivating audiences through their unique blend of storytelling and musical performance. During this event Caty’s performance reached an audience of over 13 million impressions through various platforms. Caty has also had the distinct honor of performing for the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, at his home, Áras an Uachtaráin, during one of his esteemed Summer Garden Parties .

Caty's musical journey is deeply rooted in a strong educational background. Caty holds a degree in Music Education from Trinity College Dublin, where they specialized in Irish Traditional fiddle performance under the tutoring of Kevin Glackin and Kieran Hanrahan. Their vocal training continued at TU Dublin Conservatoire of Music and Drama under the expert instruction of Emmanuel Lawlor. Prior to their studies in Ireland, Caty trained from the age of 14 in the Lisa Kelly Voice Academy under the care of Lisa Kelly, from Celtic Woman fame. Through their education with Lisa, Caty had the experience of performing on stage as a fiddle player and singer with such prominent artists as Chloë Agnew (Celtic Woman), Scott Porter (Riverdance), and Paul Byrom (Celtic Thunder). In addition to their performance career, Caty is passionate about fostering the next generation of musicians through their teaching roles at Gardiner Street Primary School and other various music clubs in Dublin. Caty is also passionate about connecting with individuals through Irish music and hosts a weekly open session in the Dublin pub, Cassidy’s on Camden Street, which has now been running strongly every Wednesday night for over the past 5 years. Caty’s dedication and talent have earned them numerous accolades and scholarships, including various medals in the North American Midwest Fleadh Cheoil, from Gold in singing in Irish to placements in singing in English and fiddle slow airs. In 2014, Caty competed at their first Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann in Sligo and finished with highest scoring in Songs in Irish. Caty is celebrated for their versatility, strong stage presence, and exceptional improvisation skills, making them a sought-after performer and educator. Their ability to seamlessly navigate traditional Irish music and other various styles (folk, old time, blues, rock, pop, classical, etc) reflects their broad musical expertise and passion. Caty’s strong regard for traditional Irish music contributes to their belief that not only is Irish music a prominent part of the culture of Ireland but, it has become a universal language for them to travel with across the globe. With a sincere love of songs, storytelling, folklore and Irish culture, Caty’s spellbinding performances connect people to the music of both the past and present. Caty dedicates the music they perform to their brother, Justin Dallas “Herbie” Demmig, who passed away tragically in 2022.