… The group highlights the power and beauty of acoustic roots music - featuring "soaring vocals and equally stellar playing, a gal power band you don’t want to miss... the crowd went wild for them!" as Presenter, Carol Noonan of Stone Mountain Arts Center exclaimed.  

With The Brigideens, Ivers continues to produce her signature musical sound that led the L.A. Times to proclaim, “Ivers’ presentation was music with the kind of life and spirit that come together when talented artists from different backgrounds find the linkages that connect all forms of music.”

Native New Yorkers, Caitlin Maloney is on lead vocals and Hilary Hawke on 5-string banjo, upright bass, clarinet, spoons and vocals. Anna Colliton, a Chicago native, is a master of the Irish bodhran and adds cajon/percussion. From Maryland, guitarist and vocalist, Colin Forhan, also plays tenor banjo and concertina. Colin performs double duty as a member of Eileen Ivers and Universal Roots. 

The Brigideens’ name is derived from Brigid - patron saint of healers, scholars, poets, and keeper of the perpetual flame.

The Brigideens upcoming EP album “The First Sessions - Live in Studio” will be officially released in 2025.

Quotes from the Presenters

"The Pittsburgh Irish Festival could not have been more honored to host the Brigideens first live festival performance in 2023! This powerhouse group has created a perfectly unique sound by blending Americana and Celtic music; our audience went wild for it. The band's passion for this style of music was palpable in every beat and they showcased their brilliant musicianship both individually and as a group. They created an experience for the crowd that lasted long after the performance was over and the requests to have them return have not stopped. I'm confident that the future of the Brigideens will be exceptional."
Mairin Petrone, Executive Director/President, Pittsburgh Irish Festival

"If you've ever been to an Eileen Ivers concert, you already know you'll see a virtuoso performer at the very top of her game ... Having had the pleasure of presenting Eileen and unIVERSal roots 3-4 times before I was intrigued by her new project, the Brigideens, which showcases female performers and delves into some different traditions. My audience was blown away by their live show and I truly appreciated the incredible playing of Hilary Hawke on 5-string and upright bass as well as Anna Colliton, a master of the bodhran. Singer Caitlin Maloney along with guitar/vocalist Colin Forhan add a dynamic new element to Eileen's sound as well with the Brigideens adding bluegrass, Americana and other traditions to the Irish music Eileen is so well known for. Above all,... you can tell they are having FUN together and that can't help but result in an audience that really reacts to their live concerts. Don't miss the chance to see a Brigideens concert if they come to your town ... the after-show buzz was palpable. I can't wait to see what the future will bring for them."
Russell Gusetti, Executive Director, Blackstone River Theatre

“Where else could you hear an Irish ballad from the 1600’s featuring three banjos..count’em three , and then an encore with a Fleetwood Mac tune, Brigideen style. What is that style? …well you name it, but at the core is Eileen Ivers with her as always stunning and athletic Irish fiddle playing and virtuosic genre bending renditions of world music. Now add these ladies with soaring vocals and equally stellar playing and you have a gal power band you don’t wanna miss! It is only human to want to put them in that Celtic box of tricks, but that would be keeping them confined to a world of music that they have embraced and made all their own just for us. In short, the crowd went wild for them and you will too.
P.S.  Oh and super easy to work with ...nice as pie, and I suggest you treat them with one, cause they would have earned it!!”
Carol Noonan, Executive Director, Stone Mountain Arts Center