Kate Heneghan is an award-winning Irish fiddle player and harpist from Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Coming from a highly musical family, Kate is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, composer, and broadcaster whose performances seamlessly blend Irish traditional, classical, and contemporary styles. Kate graduated with a Master’s in Music Composition & Performance with distinction from Ulster University. In 2018, Kate graduated with a first-class honours BA Performing Arts (Irish Music) degree from the University of Limerick. Kate was selected as the 2023 Mayo Rose of Tralee and represented County Mayo at the internationally renowned Rose of Tralee festival in August.
Since her mid-teens Kate has been in demand as a musician both nationally and internationally. Her musical collaborations have ranged from classical ensembles to folk groups, showcasing her versatility as a musician. Kate’s musical prowess has taken her across the globe, performing in venues from Europe to the USA, China to Australia, playing in some of the world’s most prestigious venues. The National Centre for Performing Arts (Beijing), The Tempodrom (Berlin), Sydney Opera House, Trafalgar Square (London), Coca Cola Arena (Dubai) The 3 Arena (Dublin) and The National Concert Hall (Dublin) count amongst some of the venues where Kate has enraptured audiences with her lively, authentic and upbeat performances.. Kate has also appeared at flagship global sporting events, including Formula 1 and Dubai’s DP World Tour Championship.
A passionate music teacher, Kate co-founded Westport Scoil Cheoil which is now recognized as one of Ireland’s premier music summer-schools. Kate teaches music in the genres of Irish traditional and classical musical weekly onsite and online to students worldwide. Kate has taught music in the Mayo School of Music, the Ulster School of Music, several Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branches and in the Centre of Musical Arts in Dubai. Kate is regularly invited to give workshops and lectures on the history of traditional Irish music in renowned music schools / universities such as The University of Mozarteum (Salzburg), The International School Brussels, Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School USA and Scoil Acla. Kate is a published author on Irish music in peer-reviewed academic journals and books.
An in-demand presence on Ireland’s event scene, Kate brings refined musicianship to corporate and wedding stages nationwide. Notably, she has been invited to perform on numerous occasions at Áras an Uachtaráin for President Michael D. Higgins and at diplomatic events around the globe for Irish Ambassadors and embassies.
Kate also co-runs The Supernovas Events, a luxury music and events company operating between Ireland and Dubai.