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Aileen Bourke is an acclaimed concertina player from a musical family in Bonniconlon, Co. Mayo, whose playing is firmly rooted in the North Connacht tradition. A graduate of the Irish Music and Dance programme at the University of Limerick, Aileen received a First Class Honours degree and has since established herself as an accomplished performer and highly sought-after tutor.
Aileen enjoyed remarkable success at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, winning All-Ireland medals over five consecutive years before becoming Senior All-Ireland Concertina Champion at the 2019 Fleadh Cheoil in Drogheda. Her music has taken her throughout Ireland, Britain and the United States, both performing and teaching.
She continues to be active at the heart of the traditional music scene. In 2025 she featured in the national Comhaltas production Cairdeas and performed on TG4’s Geantraí Christmas programme from Mount Falcon Estate in Mayo. In 2026 she is teaching concertina with Craobh Loch Gile in Sligo and is listed as a core Anglo-concertina instructor at the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat.
Combining a deep knowledge of the tradition with extensive performing and teaching experience, Aileen brings the distinctive rhythm, lift and character of North Connacht concertina playing to the Sam Henry Weekend.
Aileen Bourke is an acclaimed concertina player from a musical family in Bonniconlon, Co. Mayo, whose playing is firmly rooted in the North Connacht tradition. A graduate of the Irish Music and Dance programme at the University of Limerick, Aileen received a First Class Honours degree and has since established herself as an accomplished performer and highly sought-after tutor.
Aileen enjoyed remarkable success at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, winning All-Ireland medals over five consecutive years before becoming Senior All-Ireland Concertina Champion at the 2019 Fleadh Cheoil in Drogheda. Her music has taken her throughout Ireland, Britain and the United States, both performing and teaching.
She continues to be active at the heart of the traditional music scene. In 2025 she featured in the national Comhaltas production Cairdeas and performed on TG4’s Geantraí Christmas programme from Mount Falcon Estate in Mayo. In 2026 she is teaching concertina with Craobh Loch Gile in Sligo and is listed as a core Anglo-concertina instructor at the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat.
Combining a deep knowledge of the tradition with extensive performing and teaching experience, Aileen brings the distinctive rhythm, lift and character of North Connacht concertina playing to the Sam Henry Weekend.
