About Knocknasheega
Our Musicians
Current Line Up:
- James Rix - Fiddle
- Samantha Jonker - Vocal / Percussion
- Danna Hotmar - Flutes / Whistles
- Jason Miller - Bodhran / Vocal
- Brooke Browning - Fiddle
- John Browning - Guitar
- Seth Girdon - "Mega Fiddle" Cello
Past performers include:
- Kevin Burrow "The Founder"
- Denise Burrow
- Jon Korte
- Mimi Korte
- Jill Lokke
- Susan Monette
- James Reimer
- Joe Moss
- Zack Gingrich-Gaylord
Guest Performers have included:
- Stephen Green - Uilleann Pipes
- Susan Ritta - Vocal / Whistle
- Greg Hunt - Guitar
- Mimi Korte - Banjo
- Helena Miller - Irish Dancer
- Jeremy - Percussive Feet / Bones
- Corry Academy of Irish Dance
Origins of the Band...
Founded in 2007 by Highland Piper Kevin Burrow, Knocknasheega came together as a result of a chance meeting by several like minded musicians in Wichita Kansas.
After relocating from Wichita, Kevin left the band to follow other musical pursuits. Kevin now leads the band Fezziwig.
And yes, we all have Day Jobs!
We're all workin' somewhere, doin' somethin' so our musical endeavors are mixed with other professions. Our band consists of educators, engineers, instructors, artists, therapists, and a professional aviator. We've been here, and there, and no doubt at least one of us has done that!
Our shenanigans knows no bounds!
Origins of the Name...
Knocknasheega, (Or Cnoc na Síge in Gaelic) directly translated means the "Hill of the Fairies." Fairies of European folks lore, also called fata, fay, fey, fae, fair folk, from faery, faerie, aren't the typical "Tinkerbelle" you may be familiar with. These fae are legendary, metaphysical, supernatural creatures that are known to cause mischief, chaos, and mayhem.
The Place!
Oh Aye, It's an actual place!
Knocknasheega is a hilltop in County Waterford, Ireland.
At 1412 ft above Sea Level, it's the 720th tallest peak in Ireland!
Now there's some information that'll come in handy for ya!
The location is also famous for being the imaginary setting for some of the Darby O'Gill stories by Herminie Templeton Kavanaugh. You might a seen a film about that, which we can't mention by name due to legal ramblings and ruminations from the "Big Mouse" corporation.
That said, you can visit Knocknasheega (Cnoc na Sige) on your next trip to the Emerald Isle.
Our Venues
Knocknasheega has performed at a variety of venues including:
Wichita KS:
The Artichoke Sandwich Bar
Chicken n Pickle
SparrowSong (Music & Art Festival)
Orie's Garlic Festival
Public at the Brickyard
Kirby's Beer Store
Big B's Beef
Limerick's & Laugher - Wichita Children's Theatre
Girls on the Run 5K
Wichita-Derby Contra Dance
Civil War Days at Old Cowtown
Sunflower Sessions
Great Plains Celtic Festival & Highland Games
Wichita Renaissance Festival
Battle of the Brackets/Irish Fest Wichita
O'malley's Irish Pub
Shamrock Lounge
Delano St. Patrick's Day Parade
Andover KS:
Spaulding's Food and Drink
Hutchinson KS:
Hutchinson Symphony Orchestra
McPherson KS:
McPherson Scottish Festival & Highland Games
A night in the big bowl.
Hesston KS:
Dyck Arboretum of the Plains
Newton KS
Mojo's Coffee Bar
Inman KS:
Manhattan KS:
Fake Paddy's Day
Belle Plain KS:
Bartlett Arboretum
Kechi KS:
The Vintage Rhinestone
Old School Tap House & Social
Mulvane KS:
Tiny's Pub
and multiple charitable events at various locations.
The Hod
The Hod is is a brick layers tool used to carry a small load of bricks on a worksite. If you've been to one of our performances you'll know why this is important knowledge.
The hod is a very old tool, and in days before bricks they were usually made of wicker and used to carry a variety of things. More rugged versions were developed over time, and later models were made of wood or metal to handle the rigors of the modern work site.
If you've had a "Brickie" in your family, they likely used a "hod."
In loving memory of Tim Finnegan