Téada

Téada celebrates 25 years on the road in 2026. Acclaimed for its dynamic and deeply rooted approach to Irish traditional music, Téada has performed as a headliner at major festivals across North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Japan, Taiwan and Australia.

Career highlights include a 30,000-capacity concert in Brittany and performances at the Penang World Music Festival (Malaysia), Edmonton Folk Festival (Canada), Harare International Festival of the Arts (Zimbabwe), and the Rainforest World Music Festival (Borneo). 

The band has performed with orchestras such as the Württembergische Philharmonie in Germany and continues to maintain a strong touring presence in the United States.

Their latest release on Gael Linn features special guest appearances by Hollywood actor and singer John C. Reilly and the late Séamus Begley, one of Ireland’s most beloved traditional singers and accordionists. 

Recent highlights include performances at the Dublin Irish Festival, Savannah Music Festival, and Montana Folk Festival (USA), as well as Festival Interceltique de Lorient (France) and the Irish Festival of Oulu (Finland) – underscoring Téada’s continuing role as a vibrant ambassador for Irish culture worldwide.

Oisin Mac Diarmada (fiddle)

Described by The Irish Echo’s Earle Hitchner as “one of the most gifted and creative traditional fiddlers playing today”, Oisín was a founding member of Téada in 2001, toured for 14 years with legendary singer/accordion-player Séamus Begley, and continues to perform and teach throughout the world. He has recorded and toured internationally with Sligo trio Lane to the Glen alongside Daithí Gormley and Samantha Harvey. He took part in a Music Network tour throughout Ireland in 2023.

Paul Finn (button accordion)

Paul Finn from Co. Laois is one of the finest button accordion players in Ireland. Known for a pulsating and rhythmic performance style, his playing featured prominently in major international touring dance productions, as well as in the session scene in Ireland, prior to his joining Téada in 2003. Paul has featured on television performances on TG4, including Geantraí. In 2025 he launched a new trio album, Come What May, with Patricia Clark and Cillian Doheny at Ennis Trad Fest.

Damien Stenson (flute)

Hailing from the rich musical environment of Co. Sligo, Damien Stenson is noted for his extensive repertoire and flowing style of playing. In addition to performing with Téada, he has recorded on several albums and made appearances on television and radio. Teaching activity has included flute tutoring at Celtic Week – Swannanoa Gathering.

Seán McElwain (guitar / bouzouki)

Seán McElwain is a scholar, educator and award-winning musician who as a member of Téada has performed throughout the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. He is the recipient of a TG4 Gradam Ceoil award (2016) for his Our Dear Dark Mountain With The Sky Over It  project, which focused on the musical heritage of the Sliabh Beagh region of North Monaghan/East Fermanagh.

Tristan Rosenstock (bodhrán)

Tristan Rosenstock is an author, editor, broadcaster and bodhrán player from Glenageary, Co. Dublin. He has worked in television and radio for many years, currently as a broadcaster for RTÉ Radio na Gaeltachta of presenter of RTÉ RadioFor 1’s Céilíhouse, and is literary editor of the monthly magazine Comhar. He has toured the world with Téada since 2001.

Samantha Harvey (piano / dance)

Samantha Harvey is an award-winning step dancer, pianist and accordionist. She has performed throughout the world including in RTÉ’s Centenary 2016, broadcast live from the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin and with both Omaha and Nashville Symphonies in A Celtic Journey. Samantha has been performing with Téada for over a decade.