Makin’ Waves with the Barra MacNeils

The tenth year of Cape Breton Island’s Makin’ Waves Music Festival is in full swing, running from July 4-August 1, 2024. Kicking off this year’s festival was none other than Cape Breton University 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’ Waves Festival.

“Making Waves is a wonderful series that gives everyone access to music in the summer,” says Stewart MacNeil on behalf of the band. “The 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!”

Throughout their many years of performing, the Barra MacNeils have become wonderful friends of CBU, having played at every major fundraising campaign celebration CBU has held, along with countless convocation ceremonies and other University events. That’s why in 2015, Cape Breton University proudly added the Barra MacNeils to the Honorary Degree Recipient Family. 

Every year honorary degrees are given out by CBU to individuals who work tirelessly to positively impact the world around them. These honorary degrees are a way of welcoming new individuals to the Cape Breton University family and to say thank you. The degrees and their recipients serve as inspirations for current students to strive for greatness and beyond. 

The Makin’ 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 CBU and the Barra Macneils are both thrilled to take part in the local music scene by supporting community-driven events such as this. 

The concerts are free to attend and take place at Wentworth Park. For more information about the lineup, dates and times, please visit the Makin’ Waves Music Festival website.