All the above clips are taken from my debut album :: Cairde Cairdín

Below are some bios of the musicians who played on the album.

The Accompanists

Brain McGrath :: Piano
Brian is originally from Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh. He plays piano on the album. Apart from Brian’s immense musical ability Brian’s style can be somewhat attributed to when as a child,his parents acquired old 78 rpms at estate auctions; these discs introduced Brian to the piano sound of the 1920’s. This 1920’s style of piano playing is strongly echoed in Brian’s music. Piano playing was no stranger to the music of West Limerick during the Céil?Band era therefore making Brian’s contribution to this album enormous, his style, adding to the originality of the music of the region.

Jerry McNamara :: Guitar & Bouzouki
Jerry McNamara is from Limerick City. He has being playing bouzouki and guitar around the traditional music pubs of Limerick for over 20 years. Influenced by the great traditional bands of the past such as “Planxty?and the “Bothy Band?Jerry adds tremendous flare to this album. His ability and knowledge of the tunes he accompanies is exceptional. Jerry, also a renowned singer plays a non intrusive complementary style of bouzouki and guitar on the album.

The Accordionists

Dan Brouder
Dan comes from Móin nGe, Co. Limerick. Dan and I have being playing together for many years, as early as my school days. Dan was always great for a lift to a session and would pick me up after school, sometimes even before it! We’ve played for many years together at sessions around Limerick, Kerry or Clare. We have toured together and introduced the West Limerick style of playing to audiences as far away as Russia. Dan has tremendous heart and soul in his music and is one of my favourite accordion players.

Domhnall De Barra
I first met Domhnall when we were rehearsing for a Wrenboy competition in Listowel. Being from Athea, Domhnall has a brilliant West Limerick style of playing. He is responsible for passing on his music to many musicians over the years. Domhnall is still teaching music making him one of the most respected musicians and teachers in the country.

Willie Larkin
Willie Larkin comes from Templeglantine Co. Limerick. Willie has taught music around Limerick and Kerry for over 20 years. Willie’s style of playing in my opinion is West Limerick through and through and I think he is one of the finest polkas and slides players around today.

Dónal Murphy
Dónal is from Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick. Over the years Dónal has played with “Four Men and a Dog,?“Sliabh Notes? “Dervish? and Michael Flatley’s production “Feet of Flames? I first played music with Dónal at the Pádraig O?Keeffe festival in Castleisland in 1994. Dónal was playing in a session in Brennan’s Bar and I taped it (after asking permission of course), It was one of the finest sessions I ever heard, a tape I still listen to today. Since then, I have played in countless sessions with Dónal, each one as enjoyable as that first session, in Brennan’s Bar in Castleisland.

Pa Foley
Pa is from Clonoughter Glin, near the banks of the Shannon Estuary. Pa learned the accordion from Willie Larkin. From a young age Pa and I played in sessions together around the locality. Pa’s accordion playing has been well documented over the years and he is the current All Ireland Senior button accordion winner for 2006. Pa is now teaching music around the West Limerick area.

Mick Mulcahy
People most often associate Mick Mulcahy with where he grew up, Brosna Co. Kerry. However, Mick has been living in West Limerick for many years, alot longer than I have! Mick moved to Abbeyfeale from Brosna in 1967 where he continued to work and raised his family. Mick has recorded two beautiful albums with his daughters Michelle and Louise. Mick’s style of playing is no doubt imbedded in West Limerick’s music, and is a lovely style of playing. I really enjoyed recording with him.

Derek Hickey
It was the 1991 Munster Fleadh Ceol at Shaughnessy’s bar in Glin that I first heard Derek playing. Derek is from Adare, Co Limerick. During the late 90’s I moved to Limerick City where again I was fortunate enough to encounter Derek’s music. Derek played every Sunday evening in Dolan’s bar, and it was during this time that I became familiar with his playing and his amazing musical ability. Derek played with De Dannan for 6 years and before that he played with Arcady. Derek is one of Ireland’s greats when it comes to accordion playing and I’m delighted to have him on this album.