Wrafter trio look forward to gig at Kilbeggan Races

Following highly regarded performances at this year’s Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford, The Wrafters are set to entertain fans at the Kilbeggan races for the first time this Friday, 23 August. The group will be entertaining the crowds from 4.30pm.

The talented trio are father, Peter, and brothers Conor and Thomas, of the well known Wrafter Family Band. As a Kilbeggan family, the opportunity to be part of such a high-profile hometown event, is one that Peter is eagerly awaiting.

“The Kilbeggan Races is an event known nationwide, with fans coming from all corners to enjoy the unique midlands atmosphere. And for ourselves, as locals, to be able to play a part in that is something that you couldn’t but be excited about.

“We are just off the back of a wonderful few days down at the fleadh in Wexford, where the response to our gigs was phenomenal.

Myself and the two lads were blown away by how we were received, and by the number of kind messages that came our way during those few days, and since.

“So we’re certainly in the form for being back on stage again, and hopefully making sure that everyone comes away from Kilbeggan on this weekend with some memories of the day that they’ll look back fondly on.”

The Wrafter Family Band, a quintet when Peter is joined by his wife Noreen, and Conor and Thomas by their sister Aimee, came to national attention in 2017 with a performance on The Late Late Show on St Patrick’s night.

Since then they’ve gone on to perform in Leinster House, at the GPO, on TG4, and shared stages with household names like Nathan Carter, The High Kings, The Fureys, George Murphy, Johnny McEvoy, Finbar Furey, and more.

They also released their debut recording, The First Verse, in 2019.

While Peter, Conor, and Thomas are in demand as a trio, Peter also hinted at plans in the pipeline for The Wrafter Family Band.

“We still love it when all five of us are on stage together at the same time. For me, that’s a feeling that few things in life will ever equal or beat.

“We have a few projects that we’re working on as the five-piece that we’ll be able to share more news about soon. The Wrafters, the line-up of myself and the two lads, will be busy for the remainder of this year and into the next, but the Wrafter Family Band have a couple of exciting plans coming up before the end of the year,” he said.