- East Hartford, CT
- Bagpiper
- 38 miles from
- $175 – $750 per event
Ashley S. said
“Rick was absolutely wonderful - punctual and talented. Rick added a lot of fun and great music to our vow renewal and we’re so thankful that we found him! ”
Al MacKay
Overview
i am a solo musician occasionally joined by fellow musicians, playing Irish jigs, reels, polkas, etc. and many favorite St. Patrick's day songs that folks can join in on. The button accordion is my primary instrument. Also play the tenor banjo and the guitar for the irish ballads, etc. I play in Rhode Island, central and eastern Connecticut and southern Massachusetts, and southern New Hampshire. >>> New for fall 2026 and going forward, Welcome Keith Brainard on guitar <<<<
Reviews
20 reviews
Sanna H.
March 17, 2026Exactly what we needed
Al MacKay was perfect for our after-lunch crowd at The Holland Community Center. This was the day before St. Patrick's Day and Al was exactly what we needed. Friendly, entertaining and great with his audience. Thank you Al!
Event and Rental Coordinator.
Sanna Hart
Hired as: Celtic Music, Irish / Scottish Entertainment
Conor D.
March 31, 2025Great Band
Al Mackay was a great band. They have a good sound, perfect for smaller or bigger venues. Very professional, they were on time, courteous and really listened to the type of songs we wanted them to play and kept the audience engaged. They are talented musicians who brought multiple instruments. Highly recommend this duo for and Irish/Celtic pub or regular jam session in general.
Hired as: Celtic Music, Irish / Scottish Entertainment
Julie B.
March 19, 2025St Patrick’s Day Celebration Complete
We had All McKay perform at Berkley Beer Company. He was a great addition to our St Patrick’s Celebration!
Hired as: Irish / Scottish Entertainment
Heidi H.
March 17, 2025Fantastic!
Great duo team! Very easy to work with.
Hired as: Irish / Scottish Entertainment
Nicole S.
March 22, 2024Great Entertainment
The Al McKay band played a St. Patrick's Day lunch at our Senior Center. They were terrific. They engaged with the seniors and they loved singing along. Al is easy to work with and prompt. We plan to have him back in the future!
Hired as: Irish / Scottish Entertainment
Booking information
Price range: Contact for pricing
Gig length: 60 - 180 minutes
What to expect
I play Irish jigs, reels, polkas, etc, as well as sing traditional sing-along-songs on the button accordion, tenor banjo, and guitar. Plus a few Scottish waltzes.
About
I started out playing Canadian Maritime songs of fishing, whaling, and the sea. Then transitioned to playing Irish jigs, reels, polkas, and a few Scottish waltzes for the past 10 years. Additionally, I sing some favorite St. Pats songs that folks can sing along with on the choruses. I also play in a Contra Dance band in locations throughout south east New England. Contra Dancing is like square dancing to Irish/Americana Music (lots of fun). And, on occasion, join in with another local Irish band to add my accordion to their line up.
Services offered
Upcoming booked events
March 2027
14
Sunday
Dinner Party
12:30pm - 3:30pm
•
Manchester, CT
17
Wednesday
Sterling
10:00am - 2:00pm
Past booked events
March 2026
26
Thursday
Retirement Community Event
10:30am - 11:30am
•
Wrentham, MA
16
Monday
Nonprofit Event
1:00pm - 2:30pm
•
Holland, MA
15
Sunday
Restaurant/Bar Event
1:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Taunton, MA
14
Saturday
Nonprofit Event
12:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Saugus, MA
11
Wednesday
Nonprofit Event
11:00am - 12:00pm
•
Willimantic, CT
April 2025
26
Saturday
Nonprofit Event
4:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Sandwich, MA
March 2025
21
Friday
Cultural Event
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
West Springfield, MA
16
Sunday
Nonprofit Event
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Webster, MA
16
Sunday
Restaurant/Bar Event
1:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Taunton, MA
15
Saturday
Restaurant/Bar Event
3:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Manchester, NH
08
Saturday
Dinner Party
8:30pm - 11:00pm
•
Manchester, MA
08
Saturday
Concert
2:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Bristol, CT
December 2024
07
Saturday
Fundraiser
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Little Compton, RI
March 2024
20
Wednesday
Nonprofit Event
1:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Upton, MA
16
Saturday
Fundraiser
6:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Acton, MA
15
Friday
Holiday Party
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Meredith, NH
July 2023
30
Sunday
Nonprofit Event
2:30pm - 3:30pm
•
Marlborough, MA
June 2023
24
Saturday
Personal Occasion
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Walpole, MA
March 2023
18
Saturday
Holiday Party
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Manchester, NH
17
Friday
Restaurant/Bar Event
6:00pm - 8:30pm
•
Mashpee, MA
17
Friday
Holiday Party
9:30am - 10:30am
•
Walpole, MA
16
Thursday
Nonprofit Event
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Meredith, NH
14
Tuesday
Nonprofit Event
1:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Lynnfield, MA
11
Saturday
Nonprofit Event
6:00pm - 7:30pm
•
Dedham, MA
March 2022
25
Friday
Dinner Party
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Hartford, CT
19
Saturday
Holiday Party
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Meredith, NH
17
Thursday
Holiday Party
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
West Hartford, CT
May 2021
15
Saturday
Cocktail Party
9:00pm - 11:00pm
•
Brewster, MA
June 2020
13
Saturday
Anniversary Party
6:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Sherborn, MA
March 2020
20
Friday
PICA Dinner, Providence, RI
3:30pm - 5:30pm
07
Saturday
House Party
3:00pm - 4:30pm
•
Mashpee, MA
November 2019
24
Sunday
Birthday Party
12:00pm - 12:30pm
•
Providence, RI
July 2019
13
Saturday
Dinner Party
6:30pm - 8:00pm
•
Salem, CT
March 2019
17
Sunday
Cultural Event
12:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Wellesley, MA
September 2018
29
Saturday
Festival
4:00pm - 4:30pm
•
Uxbridge, MA
June 2018
25
Monday
Nonprofit Event
7:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Woonsocket, RI
March 2018
17
Saturday
Nonprofit Event
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Wellesley, MA
17
Saturday
Dinner Party
5:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Framingham, MA
02
Friday
Fundraiser
7:30pm - 10:30pm
•
Taunton, MA
December 2017
15
Friday
Christmas music PICA, Providence RI
4:00pm - 5:30pm
November 2017
18
Saturday
Empty Soup Bowl Fund Raiser
5:00pm - 7:30pm
March 2016
17
Thursday
Seekonk, MA
7:00pm - 8:00pm
September 2015
27
Sunday
New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Set list
Haste to the Wedding, Bells Favorite, Hole in the Hedge, Black Velvet Band,Harvest Home, Lemmy Brazils, William Taylor Tabletop, Home Boys Home, Out on the Ocean, Tripping up the Stairs, Fields of Athenry, Banish Misfortune, McNamara’s Band,Humours of Tulla, St Anne’s Reel, Wild Colonial Boy, Father Kelly’s, Drowsy Maggie, Wild Rover, Cook in the Kitchen, Morrison’s Jig, Spancil Hill , Irish Washerwoman, Saddle the Pony, All for me Grog, Seven Step, Road to the Isle, Great Big Sea, I’se the B’y, Dirty old Town, Connaughman’s Ramble, The Kesh Jig, Minstrel Boy , Cararoe Jig, My Darling Asleep, Whiskey in the Jar, John Ryans Polka, The Kerry Polka, Dennis Murphys Polka, Galway Girl, Cooley’s Reel, The Wise Maid, Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral, Jean and Andy Leonards Waltz, My Wild Irish Rose, Bally Desmond Polkas 1,2&3, Irish Eyes are Smiling, Danny Boy, The Black Rogue, Whelans, Tenpenny Bit, Parting Glass.
Setup requirements
electric outlet.
Report Al MacKay
Celtic Music
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