Described by Dónal Lunny as ‘one of the most important traditional singers to emerge out of Ireland in the last decade’, this month, two times BBC Folk Award winner (Best Traditional Track and Best Newcomer) Daoirí Farrell heads out on tour across the UK (see dates below).
In 2019, Farrell released his third solo album, A Lifetime of Happiness, produced by the Dónal Lunny, who also played on the album alongside a rich array of musicians, including Pat Daly on fiddle, Sean Potts and Mark Redmond on Uileann pipes and whistles, Sean Garvey & Peter Browne on accordions, Robbie Walsh on bodhran, Tara Finn on concertina and backing vocals, Avril Crotty on cello, Maire Ni Chronain on backing vocals and Geoff Kinsella on mandolin.
In his review of the album on Folk Radio UK, Neil McFadyen concludes that it “delights on every level” and went on to interview Daoirí as our Artist of the Month here.
Last year, when much of the world was in isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Farrell quickly responded, setting up a corner of his kitchen as a makeshift stage, he began live-streaming a weekly show called The Corner Sessions that proved incredibly popular.
It seems a while since Daoirí was last on the road, and wherever he goes, he brings a smile…even in the airport waiting lounge, as he so ably demonstrated in 2017 when he was with Geoff Kinsella and Robbie Walsh awaiting a delayed flight. The video clocked up 22 million views on Youtube:
Here’s another great video he recorded at The Bog of Allen, Co. Kildare, Ireland, a little while ago – ‘When the Breakers Go Back On Full Time’, previously recorded by Frank Harte and Dónal Lunny. Don’t miss him, see dates below.
Daoirí Farrell November UK Tour Dates
Wed 10 Nov – Victoria Hall, SETTLE
Thur 11 Nov – Upwood Village Hall, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Fri 12 Nov – Norwich Folk Club, NORWICH
Sat 13 Nov – Old Town Hall, Hemmel Hempstead
Sun 14 Nov – Nell’s, Hammersmith, LONDON
Mon 15 Nov – Nettlebed Folk Club, HENLEY
Tue 16 Nov – Exeter Phoenix, EXETER
Wed 17 Nov – Llantrisant Folk Club, LLANTRISANT
Fri 19 Nov – Toleman Centre, CORNWALL
Sat 20 Nov – The Trooper, STURMINSTER NEWTON
Sun 21 Nov – The Folk House, BRISTOL
Mon 22 Nov – Grand Union Folk Club SILEBY (LOUGHBOROUGH)
Tue 23 Nov – The Kitchen Garden Café, BIRMINGHAM
Thu 25 Nov – The Barn@ Baston, PETERBOROUGH
Sat 27 Nov – Tyneside Irish Centre, NEWCASTLE
Sun 28 Nov – Highfield House, DRIFFIELD
Mon 29 Nov – Folk Club, RUNCORN
For ticket links and more details, visit: http://www.daoiri.com/
Photo Credit: Eddie Kavanagh