Taking the stage at the Autumn Festival, Mr Nolan is performing music that was passed down through oral tradition from 1200AD.

“With the rock stuff you use a pick and strum a lot, but with Celtic music it’s more classical guitar, playing with the nail and trying to show more finesse,” he said.

“Celtic music tends to be dark or mournful tunes, but it’s a lot like classical guitar with gentle melodies.”

Mr Nolan first learned to play guitar when he was sixteen and said he’s always had a love affair with music.

Along with his solo performances, Mr Nolan plays guitar in local band Matt, Dave and the Other Guy.

“I play percussive stuff as well so I beat the guitar up a little bit,” he said.

“It’s something I’m still uncomfortable with, especially being up there along when it’s just you.

“I’m okay when I’m playing electric guitar with a drum kit but when it’s just me I get a bit antsy – but don’t put that in there.”

Over the years he has worked on an impressive program of more than three hours of music, when he first started he could only play two or three pieces from memory.

He hopes the audience, even those unfamiliar with Celtic music, will leave knowing a bit more about its sound and history.

“They’re just nice tunes, I think people might like to just sit back, relax and have a listen,” he said.

See also:

“A lot of what you see on the guitar is hard rock or ACDC, this is something completely different.”

Mr Nolan has played Celtic guitar for a few years, he started at university playing 1600s music on a classical guitar.

Four years down the track he’s well accustomed with the sound.

“Some of these tunes I’m playing are from 1200AD,” he said.

“They’ve been passed down through oral tradition but they’re all pretty readily available online now.

“I’m not too worried about Irish music connoisseurs just want to hear Highway to Hell on a bagpipe or something.”

Matt Nolan will play at the Autumn Festival on Saturday at 3:30pm in Civic Park.