Brian Gaffney was born in Tralee

Brian Gaffney was born in Tralee, County Kerry. Youngest of 4 kids, Brian didn't take long to pick up a love of music from his older brothers.

By age 13, Brian was playing in pubs around Kerry with accordion player Kevin Cronin. They formed a band in Christian Brothers School and won the all Ireland "Slogadh" in 1974.

Brian played all kinds of music, to include traditional Irish music and rock 'n roll and found his nitch as a solo performer.

During the late 70's, Brian was the resident Saturday night opener at Horan's Hotel in Tralee where he stayed for 5 years. Playing at Horan's gave Brian an opportunity to play with renowned Irish groups such as The Furey's, Moving Hearts and the Dubliners, just to name a few.

Brian continued to play all over Ireland until 1985 when he immigrated to America. Brian's first port of call was Boston, Mass. where he was immediately snatched up to fill in with the band "Dublin Sound" with Dessie Higgins and Sean Garvey. In 1986, Brian partnered up with Alan Loughnane and toured all over America with the group "Claddagh" for 3 1/2 years.

Brian then joined Fergus Kennedy in the Washington, DC and Northern Virginia areas in the band "Brendan's Voyage". They toured all over America as well and released 2 very successful albums "In Full Sail" and "Close to the Wind".

Brian married Kathleen Lyons in 1991 and they became proud parents of Kelly Gaffney in 1992. Kathleen is the daughter of Gerry and Willie Lyons of Dungarvan, County Waterford and in 1993, they put their heads together and opened Nanny O'Brien's Irish Pub in Washington, DC.

Since Nanny O'Brien's opened in 1993, it has given Brian an opportunity to pursue his passion by playing traditional music. Brian teamed up with all star fiddle player, Brendan Mulvihill with whom he performs every Wednesday night at Nanny O'Brien's. Brian has also had the opportunity to play with such traditional greats as: Paddy Keenan, Billy McComiskey, James Kelly, in concert and others during is weekly Monday night fireside seisun's such as: Eileen Ivers, Matt Molloy (Chieftains) and many others.

Having ran and performed at Nanny O'Brien's Irish Pub in Washington, DC for the last 14 years, the Lyons and Gaffney families sold Nanny's in January 2007. Brian is now focused on his music career, primarily as a solo artist, but he still features with Brendan Mulvihill, Patsy Whela, Brendan's Voyage and anyone else who may cross his path!

Brian Gaffney's Schedule

2008

Updated 3/4/2008

January 1-5	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
January 8-12	Irish Channel, Washington, DC
January 15-19	Irish Channel, Crofton, MD
January 27-31	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
Feb 1-2	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
Feb 5-9	Irish Channel, Crofton, MD
Feb 12-16	Irish Channel, Washington, DC
Feb 17-23	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
Feb 26-Mar 1	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
Mar 3	Project Ireland Fundraiser Concert, Brian Gaffney and Brendan Mulvihill and Shauna Mullin. 7:30pm, Shakespeare Theater, Washington, DC
March 4-8	Murphy's DC
March 15	Rotary Club of College Park Md Fundraiser, Sir Walter Raleigh Inn, Greenbelt, MD. Maine Lobster Feast. from 12-4pm. Please call 301-474-3420 for details.
Marc 11-17	Irish Channel, Washington, DC
March 18-22	Irish Channel, Crofton, MD
March 23-29	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
April 3	Nanny O'Brien's with Brendan Mulvihill
April 8-12	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
April 15-19	Irish Channel, Washington, DC
April 22-26	Irish Channel, Crofton, MD
April 29-30	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
May 1-3	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
May 4-10	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
May 13-17	Irish Channel, Washington, DC
May 20-24	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
May 27-31	Irish Channel, Crofton, MD
June 3-7	Irish Channel, Washington, DC
June 8-14	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
June 17-21	Irish Channel, Crofton, MD
June 26-28	Private Party, Ocean City, MD
July 3-5	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
July 8-12	Irish Channel, Washington, DC
July 13-19	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
July 22-26	Irish Channel, Crofton, MD
July 31	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
Aug 1-2	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
Aug 5-9	Irish Channel, Washington, DC
Aug 12-16	Irish Channel, Crofton, MD
Aug 17-23	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
Aug 26-30	Murphy's DC
Sept 2-6	Irish Channel, Crofton, MD
Sept 9-13	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
Sept 14-20	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
Sept 23-27	Irish Channel, Washington, DC
Sept 30	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
Oct 1-4	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
Oct 7-11	Irish Channel, Washington, DC
Oct 14-18	Irish Channel, Crofton, MD
Oct 19-25	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
Oct 28-31	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
Nov 1	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
Nov 4-8	Irish Channel, Washington, DC
Nov 11-15	Irish Channel, Crofton, MD
Nov 16-22	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
Nov 25-29	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
Dec 2-6	Irish Channel, Washington, DC
Dec 7-13	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
Dec 16-20	Irish Channel, Crofton, MD
Dec 23, 26-27	Irelands Four Provinces, Falls Church, VA
Dec 28-31	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC
2009	2009
Jan 1-3	Dubliner Pub, Washington, DC

CD Release "Close to the Wind"

1. Back Home in Derry 2. School Days Over 3. Ballad of St. Anne's Reel 4. When Margaret was Eleven 5. Brendan's Voyage 6. Star of the County Down 7. Black Velvet Band 8. Close to the Wind 9. Not the Reason I Left Mullingar 10. Rosemary's Sister 11. Jug of Punch

CD Release "We'll Be Right Back"

Ramblin Rover; Donnybrook Fair; Matty; If I Had a Boat; Nancy Spain; Jigs; I Will; Dirty Old Town; Rose of Aranmore; Old Home Place; Friend of the Devil; Rights of Man/Japanese Horn Pipes/Moving Cloud1

New CD Release! $15. Stop by where Brian is playing to get your copy of this album, or you can request your order through gaff@comcast.net

CD Cost is $15. To order CD, stop by where Brian is playing or contact by email gaff@comcast.net

Bookings: Contact Brian Gaffney at gaff@comcast.net

© 2008 IrishUSA
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Author: Patty Simpson Email: <musiclinkco@msn.com>

Last Updated: 3/4/2008