Well-known bodhrán player Damien Quinn will be joined by leading Irish trad musicians next Friday, June 20, for the official launch of his CD, Fleadh Town, at Monroe’s Live on Dominick Street in the city.

The guest line-up will feature Cathal Hayden, Séamie O’Dowd, Brian McGrath, Alan Kelly, Derek Hickey, Pádraic Keane and Michael McCague.

Damien is originally from Newbridge, County Kildare, a town that has produced performers of the calibre of Christy Moore and Dónal Lunny. He’s a longtime resident of Galway.

Fleadh Town, which had an unofficial launch previously, covers different styles of traditional music, with all four provinces being represented, and it features many well-known players, including several who will be joining him next Friday night.

Damien’s love of the bodhrán developed at a young age, with renowned percussionist Tommy Hayes (Stockton’s Wing) one of his earliest teachers.

When it came to practising, the young Damien had to be creative, as Newbridge had no trad sessions. So he played along to albums from the likes of Noel Hill and Willie Clancy.

Having busked in Dublin and on the continent, he got his break playing with Dónal Lunny’s band in the National Concert Hall ,at a show commemorating Seán Ó Riada.

Damien went on to play and tour with the likes of Van Morrison, The Chieftains, Elvis Costello and Scottish musician Andy M Stewart. In 199, he joined Riverdance and enjoyed it, but after several years of touring, he needed “a big break” from the instrument.

Damien went back to college and did a BA, followed by a Master’s in history. But this true musician later found his way back to the bodhrán and has been playing since.

In 2023, Damien recorded Tell her I Am, alongside Brian McGrath on banjo and piano, and Dónal Clancy on vocals and guitar. Brian, from Fermanagh, also lives in Galway, while Dónal is member of the musical Clancy family from Ring, County Waterford.

And, for several years, Damien worked on making Fleadh Town, which Irish Music Magazine, in its review, praised as “really outstanding”.

Doors for next Friday’s concert in Monroe’s are at 7.30pm and the gig will start at 8pm sharp.

Pictured: Bodhrán player Damien Quinn will be joined by guest musicians from Fleadh Town for next Friday’s concert. PHOTO: JOE O’SHAUGHNESSY.