Gatehouse: Heather Down The Moor
John & Jacinta McEvoy, John Wynne & Rachel Garvey
Guest Musicians:
Alan Kelly (piano accordion)
John Joe Kelly (Bodrhan)
Michael McCague (Bouzouki)
Conor McEvoy (fiddle)
Paddy McEvoy (piano)
Donal O'Connor (Harmonium)
About Gatehouse
Gatehouse, an Irish traditional band, is far more than your typical group. Comprising Rachel Garvey on vocals, Jacinta McEvoy on guitar and concertina, John McEvoy on fiddle and mandola, and John Wynne on flute and whistles, this ensemble embodies a rich musical pedigree.
With a knack for tasteful interpretations of traditional songs and dynamic instrumentals, Gatehouse has enraptured audiences worldwide. Their performances seamlessly blend masterful technical proficiency with captivating vocal numbers, creating a mesmerising sonic experience.
Having toured extensively, Gatehouse’s music is characterised by infectious rhythms, soothing vocals, and subtle instrumental interplay. Their debut album, “Tús Nua,” garnered critical acclaim and set the stage for their follow-up release, “Heather Down The Moor”.
Gatehouse’s ability to infuse classic folk tunes with contemporary flair has earned them praise for their innovative accompaniment and enchanting vocals. As they delve deeper into their musical heritage, Gatehouse is poised to captivate audiences with their unique blend of tradition and modernity.
In the words of Folk Radio, Gatehouse exudes an “undeniable warmth and spirit” that is truly irresistible. If you haven’t experienced their music yet, it’s time to put Gatehouse on your musical radar.
“grows on you with every listen. Mo cheol sibh, a chairde!” Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
“Music for all tastes with some top of the line guest performers complementing the overall effect. Most exciting feature is several newly composed tunes by John McEvoy, who is writing great tunes which are being played by most players today. All great traditional fare. Congratulations to all involved."” Matt Molloy
“splendidly arranged … ranges from delicate to powerful. “ The Living Tradition
Upcoming Shows
28/03/2026: The Ropery, Maltkiln Rd Barton-Upon-Humber DNI8 5JT UK
29/03/2026: The Poppy Folk Club, Pierpoint Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG25 DX, UK
30/03/2026: The Bridge Folk Club, Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1RQ, UK
26/06/2026: Folknacht am Klosterhof, Frieglande Klosterhof Lauffen, Germany
27/06/2026: Fiddler’s Green, Bachstraße 39, 07743 Jena, Germany
11/09/2026: Roscommon Arts Centre, Circular Road Roscommon F42YX61 More Info
26/09/2026: The Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Main Street, Naul, Co. Dublin K32 AY27
Audio
Track 1: The Crooked Wood
Track 2: Heather Down The Moor
Track 3: Kitty Got A Clinking
Track 4: The Healing Stone
Track Listing
- On The Edge/ Blue Island/The Crooked Wood (Jig Set)
- The Death Of Queen Jane (Song)
- The Gypsy Princess (Medley)
- Seán Bán (Song)
- Jack Rowe’s (Slow Reel)
- As I Roved Out (Song)
- Monasteraden Set (Reels)
- Heather Down The Moor (Song)
- Kitty Got A Clinking Coming From The Fair (Flings)
- Mo Cheallaichín Fionn (Song)
- Patrick Kelly's Waltz
- The Cocks Are Crowing (Song)
- The Harvest Knot / The Healing Stone (Reels)
Also available from Copperplate
John McEvoy & John Wynne: The Dancer at the Fair
John McEvoy & John Wynne: Pride of the West
John McEvoy & Friends: Traditional Irish Fiddle
John Wynne: Like The Wind
Press Reviews
“grows on you with every listen. Mo cheol sibh, a chairde!” Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
“Lovely all-round performances … great traditional fare” Matt Molloy
“splendidly arranged … ranges from delicate to powerful. “ The Living Tradition
BOSTON IRISH POST
Gatehouse, “Heather Down the Moor” • This quartet’s second album carries the same appeal as its first: masterful technical proficiency among the musicians, but also those indefinable yet invaluable qualities – spirit and temperament – with which they invest the music. Gatehouse is oriented to the North Connaught/Roscommon tradition (which has given us, among others, Michael Coleman, Kevin Burke, Frankie Gavin and, more recently, Mossie Martin and its core is around the rapport between John Wynne (flute, whistle) and John McEvoy (fiddle, mandolin) – who made a favourable impression with their 2007 release “Pride of the West” – with McEvoy’s wife Jacinta supplying concertina and splendidly versatile guitar (her intro and backing on the slow reel “Jack Rowe’s” is gorgeous). Rachel Garvey sings in English and Gaelic, her voice equally elegant, winsome, and forceful as when appropriate.
Gatehouse is obviously steeped in tradition but also very cognizant of stylistic innovations, especially in arrangements, that have taken hold over the course of the Irish folk revival. So while the “Monasteraden Set,” a pair of reels, is basic all-hands-to-the-fore from start to finish, their medley of flings, “Kitty Got a Clinking Coming from the Fair,” has some variety: fiddle and whistle churn away to subtle backing and lovely chording by Jacinta McEvoy, and then John and Jacinta’s son Paddy – one of six special guest musicians on the album – takes up the rhythm on piano on the second tune as Wynne shifts to flute. “On the Edge” is a trio of John McEvoy originals that begins with an accented 4/4 dark modal-minor-type tune, Michael McCague’s bouzouki alongside Jacinta’s plucked guitar; another McEvoy offspring, Conor, joins John on fiddle as he shifts into the first of two jigs, and bodhran virtuoso John Joe Kelly plus Paddy McEvoy’s piano helps bring the medley home. Other guests include Alan Kelly – he of Alan Kelly Gang renown – who plays accordion on four of the tracks, including two of the songs, “The Death of Queen Jane” and “Heather Down the Moor.”
Oh yes, the songs: In addition to “Queen Jane” and “Heather,” Garvey has a go at “As I Roved Out” and “The Cocks Are Crowing.” These are familiar, yet dearly loved entries in the Irish trad canon, sourced by Garvey from the estimable likes of Rosie Stewart and Paddy Tunney to the Bothy Band and Voice Squad, and she – and the band – do them plenty of justice. Sometimes a good song is, quite simply, a good song, and it’s an even better one with a singer like Garvey who can provide the proper care and attention. Her treatment of the album’s two Gaelic songs, “Seán Bán” and “Mo Cheallaichín Fionn,” is similarly exemplary.
The album finishes, appropriately enough, with two more John McEvoy compositions, both inspired by longstanding rituals and ancient beliefs – the latter, “The Healing Stone,” comes from the idea that water gathered in the hollows of stone possessed special virtues and healing powers. There’s something delightfully elemental in that, and it’s the kind of affability to be found throughout “Heather Down the Moor.” Sean Smith
IRISH MUSIC MAGAZINE
The term supergroup is perhaps over-used in some contexts, but there’s no doubting thepedigree of the Gatehouse line-up. Fiddler John McEvoy is in the very top tier and revered by his contemporaries; his wife Jacinta excels on concertina and guitar accompaniment, while John Wynne is a master flute player of long standing. All three have played together for many years and have added the wonderful vocals of Rachel Garvey to form Gatehouse. There’s a maturity and depth to their music, which is evident from the opening track, three original John McEvoy tunes, On the Edge, Blue Island and The Crooked Wood. The band is augmentd by Michael McCague on bouzouki, with John Joe Kelly on bodhrán and family members Conor andPaddy on fiddle and piano respectively.
It’s also on the vocal numbers where the sparkle glows; Rachel is a fine singer and has used the studio environment to create magical harmonies. Her sources are diverse, from a reprise of The Death of Queen Jane (learned from the Bothy Band) and the popular ballad As I Roved Out to lesser-known songs such as Seán Bán (from Antaine Ó Faracháin), to the title track (learned from a Comhaltas tape!). Another standout is Mo Cheallachín Fionn, learned from the singing of Treasa Ní Cheannabháin.
Recording was done under the watchful eye of Dónal Ó’Connor who has done a superb job of capturing the essence of this super group, co-producing and co-arranging throughout. With endorsements from Matt Molloy and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh included in the sleeve notes, there is no doubting the overall quality of this album which I thoroughly enjoyed. The closing track provides a fitting finale with two more original John McEvoy tunes, The Harvest Knot and The Healing Stone, a lively end to a great CD. MARK LYSAGHT
LIVING TRADITION
This is the second album by the Roscommon-based Gatehouse, and this one develops the band’s repertoire, which is largely drawn from the north Connacht traditions. Gatehouse are Rachel Garvey, vocals; Jacinta McEvoy, guitars and concertina; John McEvoy, fiddle and mandolin; and John Wynne, flutes and whistles. Guest musicians are Alan Kelly, piano accordion; John Joe Kelly, bodhrán; Michael McCague, bouzouki; Conor McEvoy, fiddle; Paddy McEvoy, piano; and Dónal O’Connor, harmonium. Put all this lot together and the result is a cracker of a CD, which combines songs in English and Irish with traditional tunes and new compositions by John McEvoy.
The overall playing is both tight and fluid, with a light feel which has been splendidly arranged to allow every musician to be clearly heard as they develop an interplay which ranges from delicate to powerful. Although the arrangements are often intricate, they are never overdone, so that the essential nature of the tunes is maintained throughout, in a way which makes me feel that they were all enjoying themselves mightily whilst playing. Particular mention should be made of Rachel’s singing, which has a really bright tone and tells the stories of the song clearly and effortlessly – no wonder she is an All-Ireland winner in songs of both languages.
As you would expect from Gael Linn, the production and engineering standards are top quality, and the balance between the different tracks all comes together to produce a very pleasant recording indeed. This is a band to look out for in your travels (or theirs!). Gordon Potter