Daoirí Farrell

Dublin-born traditional singer and bouzouki player Daoirí (pronounced ‘Derry’) Farrell has been described by some of the biggest names in Irish folk music as one of most important singers to come out of Ireland in recent years.

After a promising debut album, The First Turn, back in 2009; Daoirí spent several years studying traditional music and performance across Ireland. While at The University of Limerick Fintan Vallely introduced him to the singing of the late Liam Weldon, an encounter that was to prove formative to his sound and his approach to folk song.

Daoirí had cut his teeth as a singer in Dublin’s famous Góilin Singers Club and at other sessions across the city, many of which he still visits regularly. Following his studies he quickly found work accompanying artists including Christy Moore, as well as a list of names that sounds like a who’s who of folk music: Dónal Lunny, Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill, Alan Doherty, Danú, Dervish, Julie Fowlis, Arty McGlynn, The John Carty Big Band, Kíla, Sean Keane, Gerry O’Connor (Banjo), Gerry O’Connor (Fiddle), Lynched and more. In 2013 he won the All Ireland Champion Singer award at the Fleadh in Co. Derry, and in 2015 won the prestigious Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections in Glasgow with the line-up FourWinds.

Daoirí finally stepped into the limelight launched his own solo live career at the 2016 Celtic Connections followed later that year by the new album ‘Trueborn Irishman’.

What the press said about True Born Irishman

‘On only his second solo album this former electrician surely steps into Irish folk legend….Put his ferocious and dramatic version of Van Diemen’s Land against the pitiful U2 Rattle And Hum rendition and the depth and intensity of Farrell’s art is clear. Bold and Undeniable.’ **** Daily Mirror, UK
‘It’s not hard to understand why the mighty Donal Lunny has championed him…An album that could yet prove to be one of the most significant Irish releases of recent years.’ **** Songlines, UK
‘The folk scene is abuzz over True Born Irishman.’ Penguin Eggs, Canada
‘Farrell has created quite a buzz in Ireland…it’s easy to hear why. His powerfully unadorned vocals might be from any era, variously recalling Paul Brady and Andy Irvine…it’s a powerful statement.’ **** Mojo, UK
‘True Born Irishman capitivated from go to whoa’ The Weekend Australian, Australia

In February 2017 the BBC announced that Daoirí Farrell had received three BBC Radio 2 Folk Award 2017 nominations – more than any other artist that year. He was subsequently asked to perform at the awards ceremony on 5th April at The Royal Albert Hall – broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 with highlights on BBC4 TV and went on to win the Horizon Award for best newcomer and Best Traditional Track Award for Van Diemen’s Land from the album True Born Irishman.

In 2017 and 2018 he appeared at festivals including the National Folk Festival (Australia), Fairbridge Festival (Australia), Cambridge Folk Festival, Dranouter Festival (Belgium), Tønder Festival (Denmark), Sidmouth FolkWeek, Electric Picnic (Ireland), Vancouver Island Folk Festival (Canada), Celtic Colours Festival (Canada), and more. In February 2018 he toured as part of the line-up for The Transatlantic Sessions playing major UK venues of up to 2,000 capacity.

His third album ‘A Lifetime Of Happiness’ produced by Dónal Lunny was launched on 15th February 2019 with a sold out show at Dublin’s legendary An Goilin Club. Reviews confirm that this is yet another leap forward for Daoirí:

‘Direct vocals of persuasive clarity, instrumental arrangements of real verve, an appealing openness in his performance and a clear passion and understanding of a song’s narrative. It’s been said before but it’s difficult not to evoke some of the great names of Irish music…when discussing his work.’ Colin Irwin, fRoots, UK
‘Daoirí Farrell is singlehandedly spearheading a resurgence of the authentic in Irish folk music…he is rightly in demand all over the world. A truly timeless album.’ Irish Music, Ireland
‘Daoirí’s singing is outstanding by any standards; stylish and absolutely riveting… this album is nothing less than a quintessential Irish folk album, the heartfelt, pride-and-passion expression of a collection of classic songs, and as such is unlikely to be bettered this year.’ FATEA, UK
‘[Daoirí’s] ‘Van Dieman’s Land’ puts Us and Bono’s live rendition on the 1990 blockbuster in the shade.’ Rhythms magazine, Australia
‘Just occasionally you come across a singer so talented, so natural, that you feel you might as well give it all up and just listen in awe. Such a one is Daoirí Farrell….You may notice there’s no criticism in this review.’ John Waltham, Living Tradition, UK
‘A rich album from one of the great traditional singers of our day’ Irish Echo, Ireland

Daoirí received three nominations in the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards 2019 for best singer, best traditional track and best album for ‘A Lifetime Of Happiness’.

He has made regular appearances on radio across the world including RTÉ Radio 2, BBC Radio 1, 2, 3 and 4, BBC Scotland, and more. TV appearances have included BBC 4 in the UK, and two performances on Ireland’s Late Late Show. On 4th May 2020 Daoirí performed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme from lockdown. The Today programme has an average weekly listening audience of 7 million people. Online his video of ‘The Creggan White Hare’ on Youtube has close to 2 million views and his ad hoc performance in an English airport when his flight was delayed has over 12 million views.

He continues his lockdown series of live streamed concerts at 10pm GMT every Sunday, available on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram.