RUNA

“Best of all, RUNA sounds like no one else!” - Travis Rogers, Jr., Music Life & Times

Celebrating 17 years together as a band, Celtic-American Roots music group, RUNA, continues to push the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music.

Seeking to preserve and continue a traditional culture in a modern age, RUNA creates the backbone of its signature roots sound from the musical and geographical diversity of its individually established band members. Their strive for excellence and creativity blazes a trail for the future of folk music, earning them the reputation as one of the most innovative Irish folk groups of this generation.

RUNA consists of vocalist and step-dancer, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia; GRAMMY-award nominated, Dublin-born guitarist; Fionán de Barra; Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion; Jake James of New York on the fiddle; and Tom Fitzgerald of Canada on mandolin and vocals.

“Timeless and flawless…” – Jim Allford, PA Music Scene

The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Best LIVE Album, Best World/Traditional Song, and Best Bluegrass Song.

In conjunction with the band’s 16-Year Anniversary Tour, RUNA released their eighth album, “When the Light Gets In”, on St. Patrick’s Day 2024!

For the past several years, RUNA has collaborated with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, working on a cultural and musical project based on the Choctaw Donation in 1847.

The band was honoured to participate in the official unveiling of “Eternal Hearts” sculpture at the Choctaw capitol in Tushkahoma, Oklahoma in August 2024. The sculpture represents the ongoing friendship between the Irish and Choctaw peoples since 1847. It’s sister statue is located in Middleton, Co. Cork, Ireland.

Receiving international praise on both sides of the Atlantic, “TEN: The Errant Night”, has been nominated for Best World/Traditional Song (“An Buachaillín Bán”) in the Independent Music Awards! “This is RUNA’s most ambitious album yet and it is a stunner!” – Bill Margeson, LiveIreland

Additionally, to critical acclaim, the band released their first seasonal album, “The Tide of Winter”, celebrating the winter holidays in December 2020!
They produced their first holiday tour this past December 2025!!

“A magnificent musical opus…
That RUNA has created something so beautiful during a period of great difficulty shows that our “better angels” can and must prevail.”
--Kabir Sehgal, Musician, Grammy-Award-winning Producer, New York Best-Selling Author

“One of the best and inventive folk bands of this modern era!” – London Celtic Punks

The band has performed at numerous festivals, including….

Milwaukee Irish Festival
Michigan Irish Festival
Walnut Valley Festival
Kansas City Irish Festival
Pittsburgh Irish Festival
Philadelphia Folk Festival
Bethlehem Celtic Festival
Great American Irish Festival
Music City Irish Festival
Gaelic Park Irish Festival
Peoria Irish Festival
Durango Celtic Festival
An Rí Rá Montana Irish Festival
Chicago Irish American Heritage Festival
Cleveland Irish Festival
MusikFest
California World Fest
Marisposa Folk Festival
Lunenberg Folk Harbour Festival
Goderich Celtic Roots Festival

-“Genuine and with endless innovation…” – John O’Brien, Jr., Ohio Irish American News / Artistic Director of the Cleveland Irish Festival