Derek Hickey, Liam Flanagan & Macdara Ó Faoláin perform as part of the 2023 Tóstal an tSean Thoir Summer Seisiún Concert series at Brú na Sí!

Derek Hickey hails from Adare, Co. Limerick. Both his grandfathers played fiddle and his own musical career began at ten years of age when his uncle left an accordion in the family home. Derek progressed to dance tunes within weeks though he didn’t begin lessons – under the tutelage of Dónal de Barra – until he was 12.

Derek’s professional career began three years later when he joined the Shannonside Céilí Band. Formed by the Liddy family the band was particularly popular in the north of the country. It also toured extensively in England and made regular trips throughout Europe. In 1991 Frankie Gavin asked Derek to join him for regular sessions in his then leased hotel in Kinvara, Co. Galway. One year later, at just eighteen years of age Derek joined Arcady, Johnny ‘Ringo’ McDonagh’s band. Frances Black, Brendan Larrisey and Patsy Broderick were also members of the band at that time and many other household names have played in the line-up including Sharon Shannon, Cathal Hayden and Gerry O’Connor.

In 1995 Derek joined the legendary De Dannan. The De Dannan sound has always been based around the interaction between Frankie Gavin’s virtuoso fiddle and the box. His pairing with Gavin proved to be one of the best box and fiddle duets ever. He toured with De Dannan until they disbanded in 2003. Derek is a button accordion tutor on the BA Irish Music and Dance at the Irish World Academy.

Liam Flanagan is a fiddle player originally from Charleville, County Cork but now living near the town of Kilfinane, County Limerick. He grew up playing as part of Craobh Cronáin CCE in Freemount, Co. Cork under the guidance of Con Herbert and Gary Shannon and now regularly performs with Derek Hickey, North Cregg, Danú, and many more, having toured across Europe and the USA. He has also featured on many TV and Radio programs such as Port, Hup, Geantraí, and Bosca Ceoil.

Derek and Liam are joined on stage by Macdara Ó Faoláin, from An Rinn, County Waterford. He started learning the tin whistle and the fiddle at the age of 5. After becoming obsessed with the music of Andy Irvine and Planxty, he quickly progressed on to the mandolin. He received a bouzouki for Christmas when he was 8 years old and it quickly took over as his main-instrument, after getting lessons from Seán Ó Fearghail. He started taking music very seriously in his early teens and was playing every night of the week in gigs and sessions by the age of 15. He is a founding member of the group Nuadán and has recorded and performed with musicians such as Páraic MacDonnchadha, Derek Hickey, Liam O’Brien, The Friel Sisters, Conor O’Sullivan, Shane Meehan, Seán & Caoimhín Ó Fearghail and Yvonne Casey. He has performed at various concerts both home and in Switzerland, Scotland, France and England. He is also a maker of handcrafted bouzoukis and mandolins, which he plays himself.

Help us celebrate 40 years of Youghal Comhaltas in 2023 and begin your summer with music and fun. Our own Ceolta Sí and younger groups will also be involved and don't forget we make a lovely cup of tea!

Don't miss it!