Al MacKay

Danielson, CT

Contact for rates

Travels up to 70 miles

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Promotional video thumbnail 1 for Al MacKay

Here I am playing Out on the Ocean on the button box (accordion).

Promotional video thumbnail 2 for Al MacKay

Early days of playing. This is I'se the B'y with a special dancer

Gallery photo 1 of Al MacKay

Ambrose Wise Band, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Aug 27, 2015

Gallery photo 2 of Al MacKay
Gallery photo 3 of Al MacKay
Gallery photo 4 of Al MacKay

Mathewson St Church Community Supper, Christmas 2024.

Gallery photo 5 of Al MacKay

Shortest St Paddy's Day Parade Fundraiser for 2025

Gallery photo 6 of Al MacKay

Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, Nov 2025

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.


Reviews

20 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Sanna H.

Sanna H.

March 17, 2026
Verified review

Exactly 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


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Conor D.

Conor D.

March 31, 2025
Verified review

Great 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


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Julie B.

Julie B.

March 19, 2025
Verified review

St 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


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Heidi H.

Heidi H.

March 17, 2025
Verified review

Fantastic!

Great duo team! Very easy to work with.

Hired as: Irish / Scottish Entertainment


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Nicole S.

Nicole S.

March 22, 2024
Verified review

Great 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

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Booking information

Price range: Contact for rates

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.

Upcoming booked events

March 2027

14

Sunday

Dinner Party

12:30pm - 3:30pm

Manchester, CT

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.

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