Album Launch – Clancy, McGrath & Quinn “Tell Her I Am”

Venue: The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis

Date & Time: Sun 12th of Nov 2023, 3.30pm

Dónal Clancy from An Rinn Waterford now based in Galway City is regarded as one of Ireland’s finest guitarists. He is the son of the world-renowned singer Liam Clancy of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem and has since the death of his father focused his attention on the family repertoire of songs that he grew up with, while keeping the Clancy tradition alive with his solo performances. A founder member of the group Danú, Dónal left to join a trio with his father Liam and cousin Robbie O’Connell. He toured and recorded with Riverdance fiddler, Eileen Ivers and was a guest with The Chieftains on their Tears of Stone Tours in Japan and the US. He has also been a member of the Irish American super group Solas and contributed to the soundtrack of Ric Burns’ award-winning documentary film New York.

Brian McGrath hails from Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh, an area steeped in traditional music and now is based in Galway City. Brian’s first professional work was with Dervish. He then joined Four Men And A Dog and played on the award-winning album Barking Mad. He moved his career on, accompanying Noel Hill, Paul Brock and Frankie Gavin, among others, before joining the Sean Keane Band as pianist. Brian joined De Dannan where he stayed till the band broke up in 2003. Brian now plays with At The Racket, and is much sought after as a session musician on piano, banjo and mandolin. 

Damien Quinn who is from Kildare now based in Galway City started playing Irish Music professionally in 1987 when he joined then Donal Lunny for a special concert for the O Riada Retrospective which was broadcast live on TV and Radio in 1987. From 1987 Damien recorded, played and toured with some of the main innovators in Traditional Irish Music such as Van Morrison, The Chieftains, Andy M. Stewart, Elvis Costello, Cian and The lark. 1999 Damien joined Riverdance where he was a featured soloist in The Liffey Company.  Damien returned to session and concert work in 2021 and since then has continued to explore the dynamics of the Bodhran. Quinn said “Tell here I am” is a  modern study of solid style bodhran playing something that is rapidly becoming a  lesser style these days and it’s hoped that this record will highlight this wonderful style of Bodhran playing for the future.