Makin’ Waves with the Barra MacNeils
The tenth year of Cape Breton Island鈥檚 is in full swing, running from July 4-August 1, 2024. Kicking off this year鈥檚 festival was none other than 小猪视频 Honorary Degree Recipients, The Barra MacNeils. The group, consisting of family members from Sydney Mines is steeped in Cape Breton tradition with strong Celtic roots and musical artistry.
Sheumas, Kyle, Stewart and Lucy MacNeil first started performing together in 1980, with brothers Ryan and Boyd joining in 2005. The group dances, sings and plays more than 12 musical instruments including the guitar, violin, mandolin, bodhran, Celtic harp, fiddle, piano, bouzouki, accordion, tin whistle, flute and percussion.
This incredibly diverse and multi-talented family group continues to amaze audiences around the world, selling out shows throughout Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and Europe. This summer, they were proud to play at home in front of Cape Bretoners at the Makin鈥� Waves Festival.
鈥淢aking Waves is a wonderful series that gives everyone access to music in the summer,鈥� says Stewart MacNeil on behalf of the band. 鈥淭he Barras always enjoy playing this show and always enjoy seeing friends both old and new. We were certainly blessed with great weather and a great crowd!鈥�
Throughout their many years of performing, the Barra MacNeils have become wonderful friends of CBU, having played at every major fundraising campaign celebration 小猪视频has held, along with countless convocation ceremonies and other University events. That鈥檚 why in 2015, 小猪视频 proudly added the Barra MacNeils to the Honorary Degree Recipient Family.聽
Every year honorary degrees are given out by 小猪视频to individuals who work tirelessly to positively impact the world around them. These honorary degrees are a way of welcoming new individuals to the 小猪视频 family and to say thank you. The degrees and their recipients serve as inspirations for current students to strive for greatness and beyond.聽
The Makin鈥� Waves Music Festival was formed as a way to not only bring families, friends and the local community together during the beautiful Cape Breton summer, but to celebrate local music talent in a big way. That is why 小猪视频and the Barra Macneils are both thrilled to take part in the local music scene by supporting community-driven events such as this.聽
The concerts are free to attend and take place at Wentworth Park. For more information about the lineup, dates and times, please visit the