COSCÁN is a four piece Trad / Contemporary Folk band based in Slane, Co. Meath, Ireland. We play an exciting style of world music and song incorporating contemporary music and Traditional music from Scotland, Galicia and South America with emphasis on our root music - Traditional Irish Music.

Having performed at various festivals and venues throughout Ireland e.g. Fiddler's Green Festival in Rostrevor, Co. Down, Tara Solstice Festival, Le Cheíle Festival and the National Concert Hall to name but a few, we have supported some well known bands such as The Dubliners, Kíla and Four Men & a Dog.  COSCÁN has also performed live on several Irish radio shows e.g. Áine Hensey's The Late Session, Kieran Hanrahan's Céilí House, Ryan Tubridy's The Tubridy Show and the RTÉ TV documentary covering the Autumn Equinox at Loughcrew in Co. Meath.

This year we will perform at some well known festivals throughout Ireland, such as: Celtic Fusion International Festival, Fiddlers Green International Festival, Ballyshannon Folk Festival and on the main stage at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann as well as numerous lesser known festivals and fairs.

In August '07 COSCÁN was invited to perform at Festival Interceltique de Lorient, France (the largest Celtic music festival in the world attracting some 850,000 visitors annually). At this festival we performed 5 concerts, the first supporting The Dubliners and sharing the same billing as Sharon Shannon, Solás, Cappercaille as well as supporting the leading Spanish group Tejédor. While at Festival Interceltique we performed live on several radio stations, most notably Blue Breiz Izel and RGB France

Our range on instruments include Fiddle, Button Accordion, Whistles (Low & Tin), Bodhrán, Keyboards, Guitar and Percussions. We have just recorded our 2nd CD of tunes and songs, composed by the band, called Dinnseanchas (Lore of Places) with Gerry Simpson at Sidetrax Studios in Drogheda Co. Louth which is now available to purchase at our gigs. If it not possible to attend one of our gigs, sent an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Dinnseanchas (Lore of Places) is now available at CLADDAGH RECORDS at www.claddaghrecords.com and to download at www.itunes.com/coscan

The COSCÁN members are:- 

Gerry Doggett

Gerry, a classically trained violinist, has played music since his early childhood. Influenced by his late father & grandmother, Gerry found his love for Irish Traditional music & has graced fleadhs down through the years. Having performed in Ireland, France & the United States, Gerry is an accomplished fiddle player. His style of playing has been studied as part of a detailed project looking at regional styles of fiddle playing. Gerry also plays the button accordion, tin whistle, low whistle & the piano.

Harry Long

Harry, a teacher of Irish History and Traditional music, has played the tin and low whistle since his early teens. Influenced by his uncle and Bobby Clancy of the world renowned Clancy Brothers, Harry has performed at many music festivals in Ireland and abroad, including the Milwaukee Irish Fest in the United States. As a composer, Harry has written and recorded music for several RTÉ radio and television documentaries. These include Head Waters (1991) and A Change of Heart(1998). He has also researched and written the Walton's Guide to Irish Music (launched on 5th May '06) and published two Book/CD collections of tin whistle with Walton's.

David Nevin

David has played music from his early childhood having learned to play the spoons from his father Tommy, himself a button accordion and piano accordion player. David then went on to play the piano accordion and keyboards. Having played various genre of music ranging from country to pop to rock, David went back to his musical roots in Traditional Irish Music when he became interested in the Bodhrán after seeing the likes of Christy Moore, De Dannan and many more. He also became interested in other percussion instruments and now plays the bones, spoons and the shakers. He also plays Guitar, using it to write and compose his music. David has played the Bodhrán throughout Ireland and England, accompanying many top class musicians including Conor Byrne(Flute) and David Munnelly(Button Accordian).

John Shankey

John, a member of the famous Shankey family of north Meath, became interested in Ballads in his mid teens having been influenced by The Dubliners and Christy Moore. Accomplished singer and Guitar player, John's interest in Traditional Irish music began while attending various fleadhs throughout Ireland, England and the United States. In addition to performing ballads and traditional music, John is also interested in the music of contemporary artists like Mick Hanley and The Waterboys. He is a fine 5-string Banjo player and has a keen interest in American folk and bluegrass. His lively banter is a central part of the bands presentation in gigs.