In the mid-1990’s Daithí and Ciarán Swift started learning and arranging some Irish traditional tunes for the unique instrumentation of Steel String and Nylon Guitars and this was the beginning of Daithí’s passion for Irish traditional music. Some of these arrangements have now been recorded for Daithí’s debut album ‘Draíocht’.

Daithí’s love for traditional music really gained momentum in 2001 when he first attended the Frankie Kennedy Winter School in Gweedore, Donegal. This wonderful festival prompted Daithí to really take traditional music seriously and so since then he has dedicated much of his time to learning as much about the tradition as possible and has led him to seek guidance from such master musicians as Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, Paddy Glackin, Manus Lunny and Tony MacManus.

As his understanding of traditional music grew he gradually started playing with some fine traditional musicians at sessions and festivals throughout Ireland and the UK. Daithí has since performed with some of the finest young traditional musicians around including Liz Coleman, Ben Gunnery, Dominic MacGiolla Bhríde, Damien Mullane, Sam Proctor, Jamie Smith, Mairtín Tourish and Sheenagh Vallely. In 2005 the acclaimed singer Helen Roche asked Daithí to accompany her on a number of gigs in the UK and this resulted in some prestigious support slots to the likes of Arty McGlynn and Nollaig Casey, Téada and The Begley family, whom they shared the bill with at the 2005 Return To Camden Festival.

During his time living in London Daithí became a familiar face around the London Irish music scene and was regularly asked to perform at sessions across London in venues including The Mother Redcap, Waxy O’Connors and The Porterhouse. He was also often found in the friendliest Irish music pub in the UK, the Herschel Arms in Slough where the landlord Tom always gives a great welcome to musicians!

In 2006 Daithí returned to live in Ireland where he continues to perform Irish traditional music on a regular basis.

His debut album ‘Draíocht’ which is due for release later in 2006 features some of Daithí’s unique compositions and arrangements of traditional music along with songs written to the poetry of Pádraic Ó’Beírn. The album was mostly recorded in Donegal in the studio of Manus Lunny, it is due to be completed in 2006 in Dublin. ‘Draíocht' features a number of guest musicians including Liz Coleman, Mick Dunne, Aidan Dunphy, Brian Ó’Toole and Ciarán Swift.

‘Draíocht’ will be available to purchase from this website shortly. In the meantime below are samples of some of the tracks that will be on the album.

Traditional Music Links

Here are some links to some musicians I admire;

www.andyirvine.com - Andy is one of the great legends of Irish music. He is also one of my inspirations. He is a real troubadour and plays all sorts of instruments. He is credited with introducing Bulgarian Music into Ireland. Along with Johnny Moynihan he created the mandolin/bouzouki sound that has influenced Irish music from Sweeney's Men to Planxty to the Bothy Band through to Altan and Dervish. Speaking of which -

www.dervish.ie - Dervish are my favourite Irish band. Based in Sligo, they carry on the tradition of Planxty and comprise of some of the best traditional musicians around, but it is Kathy Jordan who gives them the edge, an extraordinary singer and charismatic leader.

www.altan.ie - Another great Irish supergroup. Led by the lovely Mairáid Ni Mhaonaigh, Altan have brought the music of Donegal all over the world. In 1993 they started one of Irelands greatest music festivals, The Frankie Kennedy Winter School in memory of the late Frankie Kennedy, founder member of Altan who died in 1993.

www.martinhayes.com - Martin Hayes is one of the most brilliant and innovative Irish musicians. He is a master of the Clare fiddle style and along with his musical partner Dennis Cahill he has created some of the most unique modern interpretations of Irish music. I have had the privilege of meeting, working with and learning from them both and have seen them in concert a number of times. You'll never forget your first Hayes and Cahill concert. They are truly unique. They are also the focal point of the masters of Tradition Festival in Bantry, Cork and the Feakle Festival in East Clare, near to where Martin was born. It's well worth going to them both if you are free in August.

www.tonymcmanus.com - Tony is a Scottish born guitarist who plays folk music from all over the world, especially Irish and Scottish music. He is one of the greatest guitar virtuoso’s in the world and does some things that you wouldn't believe. He's a very nice chap too! I met him and had a lesson with him at the 2003 Dundee Guitar Festival.