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Biography
Tim O'Shea photo

Tim O'Shea, Killarney,Co. Kerry.
(Vocals, Guitar & bodhr‡n)




 TIM O'SHEA is from Killarney in the south west of Ireland. He has been working solo, and in several bands since the late 1980's. Tim's repertoire draws from the dance music of his native Sliabh Luachra and West Kerry folk traditions and the singing of Irish and Scottish performers like Jimmy McCarthy, Paul Brady, Dick Gaughan and Andy M. Stewart.

Tim has toured the USA, Australia, New Zealand, & Europe. Since 1992, (20 years in 2011, see gigs & tours page for more), Tim has annually toured Germany with CIAR, GREEN LANE, and BRICêN. They played many Irish music festivals, and supported super folk band ALTAN twice and Dolores Keane (ex De Dannan), Sharon Shannon, De Dannan, Marie Breathnach (ex-Riverdance), Karan Casey (ex-Solas) Dervish and Lunasa. In 1995 Tim guested on the second CD of Monks of the Screw (Sliabh Luachra traditional music group).

To mark “15 years on the road”, Tim launched a collection of 15 tracks, some new & remastered recordings in October 2006. “15 Times Around” has received very favourable reviews from Ireland, USA, UK, Germany and Sweden.

The launch of the new studio CD 'Lake of Learning' took place at the Gathering festival on Feb 29th 2004. The CD features four reed instruments uilleann pipes, accordion concertina and clarinet. Tim has two compositions, a song and an instrumental on this new CD and together with dance music from Sliabh Luachra and Co. Clare in the south west of Ireland this new Cd is the best one. So if its songs or tunes or solos you like there is something here for you. In the words of one reviewer, 'it's real music as it should be played - real music by real people' Irish Examiner 13/05/04.

In April 1999 Tim produced, arranged and featured on his first independent CD, "Fair Dawning - Tim O'Shea & Friends". Tim played with "The Spirit of Ireland", & "To Dance on the Moon " Irish music and dance shows at the newly opened National Events Centre in Killarney (Gleneagle Hotel), Ireland for the summer of 2000, 2001 & 2002. Tim has made several television & radio appearances at home & abroad. In 2004, he completing his second studio CD with tours of the USA, Germany, Holland & Northern Ireland.

Projects
brendan
Brendan O'Shea

Brendan O'Shea (Guitar/Vocal/Bodhrán): Brendan  emigrated to Chicago USA in 1987 and returned to Ireland in 1992. In America, Brendan rose in the Irish/American Folk/Rock music scene there with the “Drovers”. He wrote and recorded his debut Album “More than this”. He returned to the USA to live in 1997 and has written, recorded & produced three Solo Folk /Acoustic Contemporary Folk CDs. Irish music magazine HotPress rated his release “Be Here Still” 8 ½ out of 10 and XM Radio’s Mike Morrone called it one of his “Favorite records of the year.” Brendan’s songs can also be heard in such films as Ron Howard’s Academy Award nominated film “BACKDRAFT” and the wildly successful Karen Gehres documentary “BEGGING NAKED”. Headlining his own shows in the United States and Europe, Brendan has toured twice in Japan with the Trinity Dance Troupe. He also shared stages: The Frames, The Swell Season, Cowboy Junkies, 10,000 Maniacs, Elliott Smith, and Interpol. Brendan and friend Karl Geary (Sin-e) host a successful Sunday night concert series in New York City, East Village. “The Scratcher Sessions”, features musicians from around the world. Brendan is currently, promoting his third full length CD release “Songs From A Tenement” on his own label. The Irish CD launch will take place this September. It's 15 years since Tim and Brendan shared a stage so these brothers unite for Tim's 20th Anniversary "on the road".

patrick buckley
Patrick Buckley
 Patrick Buckley (Uilleann Pipes / Whistle / Flute)

Patrick Buckley is a native of Fossa, near Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland. His grew up surrounded by the music of Sliabh Luachra, (Irish phrase meaning the Rushy Mountain). He was also influenced by the evolving sound of the Uilleann Pipes (ilyun), with the Bothy Band and the master piper Paddy Keenan. It may well have been difficult for Patrick to “escape” all the music that seems to be in the air around this part of Southwestern Ireland!

Sliabh Luachra is renowned in Irish the Music world for the lively Polkas & Slides, unique to this upland region. Patrick is a multi-instrumentalist preserving and ”drinking from the deep well” of the masters and brings “lively energy with precision craft” , to this ancient vibrant music. Patrick is also a highly respected music teacher in Killarney and is Principal at Killarney School of Music, further ensuring the future of this powerful musical tradition. He has toured with various Groups in Europe, USA and Dubai and this is his second tour to the US.
 
   


Tim O'Shea & Jeremy Spencer

Tim O'Shea & Jeremy Spencer
Jeremy Spencer (Fiddle/Mandolin) Carlow Ireland
Jeremy Spencer was born in Dublin and raised in Carlow Town Ireland. He began the fiddle at 10 years old. Jeremy received lessons from Siobhan Peoples and Jim McKillop. He attended master classes with Martin Hayes, Brendan McGlinchy and Cathleen Nesbit.

Jeremy studied for his music degree at University College Cork. At U.C.C. Jeremy formed the band Nuada, and with them he recorded their debut CD. “Open the door for Three”. He has appeared on RTE Radio 1’s (Ireland’s National Radio), and with NUADA on TG4 (Irish language television).

In 2007 Jeremy moved to Killarney, coming under the influence of Sliabh Luachra (music of Ireland’s south west). These various influences have given Jeremy’s fiddle playing “subtleties” from Sliabh Luachra and “gusto” from Roscommon, which blend together to create a unique sound.

Tim O'Shea (Kerry) & Gerald Culhane (Kerry, Accordion)


Tim O'Shea  		 Tim O'Shea & Gerald Culhane play together locally at home and also have toured Germany, Northern Ireland & the USA in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005. They have been in the studio recording tracks for Tim's second CD, which will be released in February 2004. Also in 2004, tours of the USA and Germany as well as more studio recordings are planned.

Ger's earliest influences were from Joe Burke Galway, Donal De Barra Limerick and the great fiddler Andy McGann New York. Gerald's music is lively and full of energy, making it hard to stay in your seat. Aged only 18, Gerald was the senior All Ireland Accordion Champion in 1990. Ger and Tim combine the music styles of Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway and Western Ireland.

Gerald Culhane