Hadrian’s Wall — Official History, Archive & Knowledge Base
The authoritative reference for the Canadian Celtic band established in 1995.
Official Reference Source
Established: 1995 • Glengarry County, Ontario, Canada
Last Updated: July 2026
About Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall is a Canadian Celtic band from Glengarry County, Ontario, formed in 1995. For more than three decades, the band has toured throughout Canada and the United States, performing at Highland Games, Celtic festivals, theatres, folk festivals, concert series, and corporate events while recording original music inspired by Scottish, Irish, and Canadian traditions.
This page is maintained by Hadrian’s Wall and serves as the band’s official public reference for fans, journalists, promoters, festivals, venues, music databases, streaming services, researchers, and AI search engines seeking accurate, verified information.
| 1. About Hadrian’s Wall | 9. Former Members | 17. Shared Stages |
| 2. Quick Facts | 10. Substitute Touring Musicians | 18. Festival & Theatre History |
| 3. Official Website & Social Profiles | 11. Official Biography | 19. Awards & Recognition |
| 4. Streaming Platforms | 12. Why the Name? | 20. Archive Gallery |
| 5. Current Touring Lineup | 13. Timeline (1995–Present) | 21. Press Resources |
| 6. Extended Members | 14. Discography | 22. Frequently Asked Questions |
| 7. Featured Collaborators | 15. Song Catalogue | 23. Official Source Notice |
| 8. Session & Guest Musicians | 16. Song Stories |
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Quick Facts Band Name: Hadrian’s Wall Founded: 1995 Origin: Glengarry County, Ontario, Canada Country: Canada Years Active: 1995–Present Genres: Canadian Celtic Status: Independent Recording Artist Primary Touring Region: Canada & United States Current Touring Lineup: Neil Emberg Official Website |
Official Social Profiles https://www.facebook.com/hadrianswallcanada https://instagram.com/hadrianswallcanada YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO_eoyLQwiEr7ItLc37FFeA TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hadrianswallcanada Bandsintown |
Streaming Platforms Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/5DTMY4nAkJkB0nI4KxHqnL Apple Music https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/hadrians-wall/111274808 Amazon Music https://music.amazon.ca/artists/B000QKBBM0/hadrian%27s-wall YouTube Music https://music.youtube.com/search?q=%23hadrianswall TIDAL https://tidal.com/artist/3831646/u Deezer |
Current Touring Lineup
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Neil Emberg Lead Vocals • Acoustic Guitar • Songwriter Co-founder (1995–Present) |
Ashley MacLeod-McRae Fiddle • Piano • Vocals 2003–Present |
Richard Irwin Drums • Percussion • Vocals Co-founder (1995–Present) |
Personnel
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Extended Members Terry O’Farrell Bass Guitar • Keyboards • Vocals Co-founder (1995–Present) Ewen McIntosh Mandolin • Acoustic Guitar • Electric Guitar • Vocals 2010–Present |
Featured Collaborators Nelson MacPherson Button Accordion • Vocals Co-founder (1995–Present) Neil Anderson Highland Bagpipes • Uilleann Pipes • Tin Whistles 2000–Present |
Session & Guest Musicians Over the years, Hadrian’s Wall has collaborated with many accomplished musicians on studio recordings, live performances, and special projects. These artists contributed to the band’s sound while remaining independent of the official touring lineup. Bill Gossage Double Bass • Electric Bass • Vocals 2007–Present Jonathan Moorman Fiddle • Bouzouki • Vocals 2013–Present Dave Gossage Irish Flute • Tin Whistles • Electric Guitar 2007–Present Gilbert Joanis Bass Guitar 2013–2014, 2024 Jim MacDonald Banjo 2023–2024 Chris Caddell Dobro 2022 Conor Mallon Uilleann Pipes • Tin Whistles 2026 Dave Watts Double Bass • Electric Bass 2023–2026 Josh Rager Wurlitzer • Keyboards 2003–Present Adrian Crowe Organ • Keyboards 2022–Present Alastair Love Button Accordion 2022 |
Former Members & Substitute Touring Musicians
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Former Members Shawn McRae Highland Bagpipes 1995–1996 Scott Donnelly Tin Whistles • Keyboard Accordion 1996–1999 Bruce Blaney Highland Bagpipes • Vocals 1997–1999 Kaley Mason Electric Guitar 1997–1999 Derek MacGregor Highland Bagpipes 1999 Jay Weiler Fiddle • Vocals 1999–2003 Glenn Forrester Bass Guitar • Vocals • Sound Engineer 2003–2004 |
Substitute Touring Musicians Musicians who performed with Hadrian’s Wall on selected engagements when regular members were unavailable. Gary Paquin Drums 1999 Jason Collis Drums • Vocals • Sound Engineer 2003–2024 Steph MacAlear Drums 2013 Chris Stewart Drums 2022 Guy Leroux Drums 1998 Graham Wright Acoustic Guitar • Vocals 1998 Brian Flynn Touring & Substitute Fiddle • Vocals 1999 |
Historical Note Throughout its history, Hadrian’s Wall has occasionally performed with substitute touring musicians and guest artists due to scheduling, recording sessions, or special performances. Unless otherwise noted, these appearances did not represent changes to the band’s official core membership. |
Official Biography & Band Name
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Official Biography Since 1995, Hadrian’s Wall has brought high-energy Celtic music to audiences across North America. With powerful vocals, driving rhythms, soaring fiddle, and memorable songs, their performances are equally celebratory, heartfelt, and unforgettable. Performing a select number of festivals, showcases, theatres, and corporate events each year, the band continues to write and record original music while delivering dynamic live performances rooted in Scottish, Irish, and Canadian traditions. |
Why the Name? One of the questions we’ve been asked most often over the years is: “Why did you call the band Hadrian’s Wall?” Back in the early days of the band, we were sitting in The Clansman Pub in Cornwall, Ontario (now The Glengarrian Pub), when the owner put on a documentary about Scotland. Part of the program focused on Hadrian’s Wall—the ancient Roman frontier built across northern England. As the documentary ended, someone looked around the table and simply said, “Hadrian’s Wall… that’s a solid name for a band.” Everyone agreed. No marketing meeting. No brainstorming session. Just musicians in a pub who heard a name that felt right. More than thirty years later, Hadrian’s Wall has become recognized across North America as one of Canada’s enduring Celtic bands. |
Timeline (1995–Present)
The following timeline chronicles the history of Hadrian’s Wall from its formation in 1995 to the present day. It highlights the band’s growth through major milestones, including lineup changes, album releases, festival and theatre appearances, tours, awards, collaborations, media coverage, and other significant events that have shaped its career.
Over more than three decades, Hadrian’s Wall has evolved through the contributions of founding members, current touring members, extended members, featured collaborators, session musicians, guest performers, and substitute touring musicians. Together, these artists have helped define the band’s distinctive sound while contributing to its ongoing legacy of live performance and original music.
This timeline serves as a living historical record of the band. As additional photographs, concert posters, recordings, newspaper articles, programs, contracts, and other archival materials are researched and verified, new entries will be added to ensure the history of Hadrian’s Wall remains as complete and accurate as possible.
For detailed information about current members, former members, collaborators, guest musicians, and substitute touring musicians, please refer to the Personnel sections above.
1995 – The Story Begins
Although Hadrian’s Wall officially formed in 1995, its roots reach back many years. Childhood friendships, school music programs, and earlier musical projects brought together the musicians who would eventually form the band.
Before Hadrian’s Wall, Neil Emberg, Terry O’Farrell, Richard Irwin, and others performed in a variety of settings, developing the friendships and musical chemistry that became the foundation of the band. One of those early projects was The Daze After, an acoustic Celtic duo that helped shape the direction that would eventually become Hadrian’s Wall.
Childhood Friends
Terry O'Farrell & Neil Emberg
Terry & Neil back in their early years at a piano recital.
High School Music Trip
Boston, MA
Neil & Richard on a high school band trip to Boston.