Music is great! It can completely change your mood. It can portray an identity or culture and it can just as effectively break dividers. My personal passion is Irish traditional music. From Seamus Ennis to Christy Moore and from the Cores to Sharon Shannon I love them all. My personal favourites are Michael McGoldrick, John Joe Kelly, John McSherry, Maurice Lennon, Davy Spillann, Lúnasa, at first light, Flook, Tommy Cunnif and of course Cara Dillon, Kate Rusby and Julie Fowlis.

On this page you will find videos and audio recordings of some of my performances as well as some of my musical history and highpoints.

I was handed a whistle at an earlier age than I can remember. Strangely enough, I do remember melting the top of a plastic whistle off a gas burner around the same time. I don’t think it was deliberate though… I grew up with music in the house such as planxty, Christy Moore and Horselips so music has always been a major part of my life. When my father decided to try out the pipes, I was right behind him at every lesson begging for a go. Soon enough, I’d taken his set on an extended loan when I was seven or eight to be taught by the renound Mick O'Brien and only returned them to him during early 2009. The first tune I learned on my own by ear was a slow air that Davy spillann played on a CD called Shadow hunter. Although Davy Spillann was frowned upon by many in the music circle because of his very modern style and accompaniment I was and continue to be hugely impressed by his innovativeness. Of course, again, when my father decided he’d take up the Bodhran, I was equally captivated by that. The basy and untamed sound of the Bodhran played by Peadar Mercier was always something I enjoyed however the Pipes are a very demanding instrument so it wasn’t until a few years later when I was in college before I began to seriously play it with the infamous John Joe Kelly as my inspiration.

From age five, I attended both Irish traditional lessons on the whistle and Classical music lessons on the piano. From around this time I was encouraged to compete in the Fleadh ceol as a solo participant and in Slogadh with a band. It was around the early nineties when the band I played with attained first place in the Slogadh Irish traditional music competition. This festival was at a national level and the standard of participation was extremely high.

From this start in Music, I have continued playing as frequently as possible entertaining the current and past president of Ireland and the previous Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. I have also played in concerts, gigs and sessions extensively around Ireland and have toured regularly over the past five years in Europe and Israel with a local band aptly named the Willin’ fools.

Gigs and lessons

I provide lessons on Tin Whistle, Low D whistle, Bodhran and of course the Uilleann pipes. Lessons are carried out in my studio in Drogheda in an environment that is relaxed, informal and friendly. Lessons are structured and highly customized to the pupil’s individual needs, requirements and aspirations. With each lesson you will receive any needed notation in the format of your choice example: Score or letter and a CD or MP3 Recording of any tunes or songs you have learned. Unless you do not like to be recorded, a high quality sample will be taken of your progress every month. This will be provided to you every six months to help demonstrate your progress. All age groups and levels are catered for. From the youngest child who is starting off with her or his first instrument to the more mature and experienced player who wants to get back into it, everyone is welcome. I'll even throw in a cup of tea, coffee or cold drink!

I'm also available for formal and informal gigs. From Christenings to Weddings to the less celebratory times I can provide music to suit all occasions and moods. The Uilleann pipes are one of the most haunting but equally uplifting instruments in the world. As a solo instrument or as part of a large group they always suit. I have assisted in a number of recordings for bands around the north east of Ireland and have played extensively in Ireland Europe and Israel. I enjoy a challenge and relish the opportunity to play along side new musicians.

I can organise every part of your gig. From providing amplification, transport, arranging other musicians and even providing the words of the songs to the singers

Videos

I was called up onto the stage while visiting Galway to play a few tunes. I had never played music with this guitar player before but it was really good fun!

Bodhran Solo from Italy 2008:

Uilleann pipe solo during a gig in Israeal in 2007

Uilleann pipe solo in italy in 2008.

Sessions

Sessions are unplugged, live, unrehersed and a great chance to unwind. They may not sound as good as a gig but they can often be equally as enjoyable.

Bodhran in a session in Dundalk.

Uilleann pipes in a session in Dundalk

Audio

I think an important part of learning and evolving your own style of playing is listening back over what you have done. for that reason, every six months or so, I create a short recording. You will find some of these below: