Clanna Morna & The Slieves

The Slieves

A West Coast Celtic band hailing from Victoria and Duncan B.C., the traditional territories of the Lekwungen, WSÁNEĆ and Quw'utsun peoples. Brought together by their love of traditional Irish Music, this group has brought Celtic folk and Celtic-inspired original music to the coast of B.C. for well over a decade. The trio draws inspiration from such groups as Dervish, The Bothy Band, The Pogues, The Chieftains, Great Big Sea, The Irish Rovers, and others. The talented members include the magical Tasia MacKay (Irish flute and whistles, 5 string banjo, vocals), the accomplished Jeremy Walsh (guitar, vocals) and the foot-stomping Andrew Morris MacKay (bodhran, spoons, vocals).

Clanna Morna

Hailing from the occupied territories of the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ nations (Victoria, BC in Canada), Clanna Morna brings their take on the Celtic Traditional genre to the west coast. Their sound is rooted in the traditional Irish, Scottish and English music that many love, and features carefully crafted arrangements, rhythmic spirited energy and captivating storytelling. Comprised of an ensemble of multi-instrumentalists, their collective musicianship and attention to detail contribute to a unique audience experience featuring both familiar and lesser known folk ballads and tunes.

Members of Clanna Morna have been arranging and performing traditional Celtic and original music for 3 years together and for over a decade in other projects, sharing their melodic arrangements and stories both locally and internationally. Since their formation in the fall of 2020 Clanna Morna has toured the North-Western USA, and British Columbia and Alberta unceasingly, delivering over 200 performances in their first two years together as an ensemble. Notable performances include the 2022 Vancouver Celtic Festival, the 2022 BC Highland Games, the 2021 & 2022 Victoria Highland Games, 2022 Woodstove Music Festival, the Oceanside Folk/Roots club in Qualicum Beach (2021 and 2022 seasons), the Pender Harbour Music Society (2022/23 season), and Peace Valley Folk Fest 2023.

The band is comprised of Cody Baresich (guitar, mandolins, Irish bouzouki, tenor banjo, percussion, vocals), Finn Letourneau (fiddle, banjo, vocals), and Mark Leigh (accordion, tin whistles, harmonium, vocals). With the combination of traditional instruments featuring strong melodic leads, rhythmic guitar accompaniment and foot percussion, the band covers a wide swath of musical ground. From high-energy instrumentals to slow ballads, drinking songs to sea shanties, Clanna Morna brings a unique west coast influence to Celtic & English folk. The band pays tribute to and takes inspiration from legendary predecessors including The Dubliners, The Pogues, The Bothy Band, Planxty, and The Clancy Brothers.

Their debut album "From the Lowlands to the High Seas" was released on CD and all streaming services in June 2023.