Which is the one they do want to hold onto if they do move away from Ireland. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Irish Rugby anthem Irelands Call the band were asked by the original composer Phil Coulter to record their own version which was subsequently included in the TV3 documentary. A top ten recording artist in Ireland, Darren toured with Boyzone on their first major tour of Ireland and the UK . Towards the end of 2009 The High Kings licensed their second studio album Memory Lane to Universal Music Ireland signifying the fast trajectory that the band had taken in their short lifespan. Where/ How Tickets Can be Purchased: Dunphy had also been a member of the band Druid. The Irish and the High Kings - IrishCentral.com Towards the end of 2009 The High Kings licensed their second studio album Memory Lane to Universal Music Ireland signifying the fast trajectory that the band had taken in their short lifespan. Holden plays the accordion, mandolin, guitar and keyboard with The High Kings. He regularly performed in Kilkenny City through the Summer season, singing Irish Ballads and Folk music to the tourist audience, with a big American contingent who were highly appreciative. The High Kings announced that they would be debuting an album in November 2017, titled Decade: The Best of The High Kings. In 2015 The High Kings were invited to the Pentagon as guests of General Martin Dempsey, who is the Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff. He sang and played 5 string banjo, electric bass and flute with the group, which consisted at the time of Finbarr's father, Bobby Clancy, his uncles Paddy Clancy and Liam Clancy, and his cousin, singer-songwriter Robbie O'Connell. [4], On 6 July 2012 The High Kings were invited to perform at the residence of the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins. Brian is never fazed by the wise-cracking comments thrown at him from a sometimes raucous audience member. Their first three studio albums appeared at number three or higher on the Billboard world music chart,[2] the first two went platinum in Ireland,[3] and all of their albums charted in Ireland. Within a few months of moving home, Finbarr joined The High Kings and spent all his time rehearsing and recording a new album and DVD. The High Kings are Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy Paul O' Brien. In 2008, the High Kings toured the United States with Celtic Woman as the opening act. The High Kings performing in 2012 in Waterford, Ireland. After touring with Billboard chart toppers, Celtic Woman, The High Kings came back to Ireland to do two sell out tours, within months of each other. Its a song we learned and listened to while growing up, it is wonderfully written by Liam Reilly, one of our best songwriters, its just a real story song. In September 2017 the band announced that Martin Furey would be retiring from The High Kings, and that an announcement would be made later regarding his replacement. Brian Dunphy mentions, his father Sean Dunphy - who managed to get Ireland to number two in the Eurovision 1967 just behind the UK - Brian adds: Here is an interesting one I got to record one song as a duet with my dad and not a lot of people have heard it. We started their March of 2008 and we go back several times a year for the festivals, there are big summer festivals and St. Patricks Day - we tend to go for February and March, this year we are even going into April, which will be our longest tour over there. The idea behind this album was to bring our fans on a journey across the world, to some of the places we call home when we tour, via some of the classic folk songs that have inspired us along the way., Show Date/Time: The bands 2019 Christmas single is the first recording featuring Paul as part of the band. Along with his wife Michelle, Darren revels in home life with daughters Ava and Sophie and son Josh. Paul himself is a self-taught musician; he plays Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Bouzouki, Whistles, Harmonica and of course Bodhrn. The High Kings - the heirs to Irish folk (From left to right; Finbarr Clancy; Brian Dunphy; Daniel Byron; Paul OBrien; and Darren Holden), Take a look inside Dublin's most stylish townhouse, Number 31, JFK's words remind us of the true meaning of St. Patrick's Day, Irish womans poem of emigration will stir your heart. The album charted at number 1 on the Irish Indie charts and was very well received by critics and fans alike. Its a good lyrical and musical coming together and its a song I think well have at our disposal for many years to come., The best song to show a newcomer, wherever that be a Grandparent or a friend, or anyone who hasnt listened to their music before. Recorded live at Concert Deck in Dublin, Home from Home is a journey through classic folk songs, old and new. Martin Furey, son of Irish folk musician Finbar Furey, formed the band Bohinta with his sister ine in 1992. "Hand Me Down My Bible" was released as a single in July 2016 and quickly became played on many radio stations in Ireland to much acclaim. But definitely, that as the older generation would know that., Keep up-to-date with music news on IrishCentral. He is very happy to share the stage with Darren, Brian and Finbarr and looks forward to more performing and recording as part of The High Kings. Darren Holden starred in Riverdance: The Show on Broadway for eighteen months. The High Kings - About Paul has played music covering Irish Traditional and Ballads, Folk and Country. Throughout his already very successful career, Brian has had the honour of recording with many artists including world renowned violinist Vanessa Mae, Celtic Woman, Bill Whelans Riverdance-On Broadway and Riverdance The 10th Anniversary. They flew directly from London where they had already been the headline act for the Lord Mayor of Londons St. Patricks Day concert. The High Kings formed in June 2007 when Brian, Darren, Finbarr and former member Martin Furey were asked to join a brand new Irish ballad group by David Kavanagh after he had noticed a gap in the market for a band specialising in traditional Irish music. Memory Lane was released in February 2010 and after a successful Irish tour the album went platinum in June only 4 months after its initial release. Doors at 7:30 pm, Ticket Prices: It was when Finbarr decided to move back to Ireland after touring the US that things started moving very quickly. A key High Kings moment for Darren was performing at the half time section of the All Ireland Hurling final, which his beloved Kilkenny won. [2] On St. Patrick's Day, they played for an American audience on "Live with Regis and Kelly," and performed on stage in Boston that night. In 2017 they released a compilation album Decade which celebrated 10 amazingly successful years together and also included 5 brand new recordings. In 2012 they performed for President Obama in Moneygall, this led to a personal invitation from the president to perform at the 2012 White House St. Patricks day celebration. Having just left America, Finbarr found himself back in New York, appearing on hit TV shows The View and This Morning performing with The High Kings. In 2013 the band licensed their forthcoming album 'Friends for Life to Sony Worldwide, another indication of their global appeal. Although Brian loves touring, he loves his family life as well and sees no conflict between selling out to a 1000 strong crowd one night and serving up weetabix to his five year old son Sam the next morning, as he feels both roles, Performer and Father are a good fit for him. Many fans became regular faces as they effectively followed the band on their sold out tours many crossing oceans and borders through-out the world just to see their favourite band perform live. paul@paulobrien.ca [1] As of 2020, the group had released five studio albums, four live albums, and two live DVDs, and one greatest hits album. The Irish folk band first formed in 2008, but it now consists of Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy, Finbarr Clancy, and the newest member Paul OBrien, as they continue to sell out arenas around the world. Holden has also released three successful solo albums. If you change everything about it, then it is no longer what it is meant to be about, if you stray too far. [8] Murphy continued to perform with the group from 2017 to 2019 before announcing that he would be "stepping away to focus on his solo career". The High Kings play 13 instruments between them creating the unique sound and atmosphere that they still showcase to this day. Paul O'Brien Many fans became regular faces as they effectively followed the band on their sold-out tours many crossing oceans and borders through-out the world just to see their favourite band perform live. Paul O'Brien joined the group in 2019 to replace Murphy. The High Kings is an Irish folk group formed in Dublin in 2008. So that would be the one for me, Finbarr adds, I thought you wouldve said Elvis as if you can do it with anyone dead or alive Darren responds, If its that definitely Elvis or Sinatra would be good too, or even The Beatles., In the near-distant future, you never know The High Kings may just get to collaborate Imelda May as Darren jokes Its something we can do in the future do a duet album - find us when were old. Brian was born in Dublin. 2021 sees the release of Home from Home, their brand-new 11 track album. Memory Lane was released in February 2010 and after a successful Irish tour the album went platinum in June only 4 months after its initial release. The band will undertake their most extensive Tour of the US in 2016 with almost 50 shows confirmed. The High Kings is an Irish folk group formed in Dublin in 2008. They followed Memory Lane with a Live in Ireland album which received critical acclaim as it showcased the energy that the band brings to the live shows. Paul OBrien is a singer and songwriter from Rathdowney, Co. Laois. The High Kings continue to perform in sell out venues across the globe to their ever growing army of loyal fans that span generations. It easily crosses generations wherever that be parent or school kids or your parents, Brian continues: A lot of these kids have their earphones in listening to these songs while heading off to school or when going to school their mums or dads will have the CDs on in the car and they just listen to it and they like it. Darren relished the opportunity to join The High Kings, and reach a new audience, singing the songs he had learnt as a child. The album reached number three on the Billboard Top World Albums chart.[2]. By 2011 the band had out grown the venues they had been previously playing and had to start playing larger venues not only in Ireland but also in America and across Europe. In March 2009 The High Kings played 5 consecutive sold out shows to a packed audience in Dublins Olympia Theatre. Service fees always apply with purchase. Brian is the son of Sean Dunphy, who represented Ireland in the 1967 Eurovision Song Contest. As part of The Clancy Brothers, Finbarr played all over the world and had many TV appearances, as well as recording credits such as Clancy Sings Along Songs, The Quiet Land and Make Me a Cup with Bobby Clancy and Eddie . The album charted at number 1 on the Irish Indie charts and was very well received by critics and fans alike. sign up to our newsletter for exclusive promotions and event invitations. But I wouldve loved to have done a full album with him., Read more:Craic Fest, for the best of Irish film and music in New York City. Friends For Life featured 8 original songs written and composed by the band and was released in 2013. In 2015 The High Kings were invited to the Pentagon as guests of General Martin Dempsey, who is the Chairman of the The Joint Chiefs of Staff. Then they want to link onto heritage as well if their Grandparents or Great Grandparents are from Ireland, they have that link through music there isnt really any other outlet they can but through the music, they can. Although they sing mostly traditional Irish songs, they are also known to sing arrangements of songs from other genres. Purchase online using the button on the top right (scroll to the bottom of the page if using mobile), or you may visit or call our box office at 413-584-9032 ext.105. It takes you in at the start and keeps you until the very, very end and beyond., Others have had a different song to add as Finbarr Clancy said: I think the Boston Rose is good too, there are great harmonies in that, Brian Dunphy said, Yeah thats good too, Liam Reilly again., The High Kings performing in Vicar Street, Dublin, While touring and recording albums there is bound to plenty of gaffs or funny moments - so Brian Dunphy had this story to tell: Hahaha, my moment was being dragged off the stage, right here in Vicar Street, Darren interjects no, you threw yourself off the stage, you being pulled off is debatable, Dunphy continues, No she definitely pulled me off the stage, she did have a few drinks on her she didnt do it for any other reason - that has to be one of the funniest moments., Darren: There has just been so many though - but that has to top it. Finbarr explains what happened: So, we came out on stage, and this woman was shouting Brian! [5] On 23 September 2013 The High Kings released Friends For Life on the Sony record label. Finbarr Clancy toured the United States and Ireland in the 1990s with the Clancy Brothers, one of the most successful folk groups in Irish traditional music. Originally from Mooncoin County Kilkenny, he is comfortable performing all genres of music from Pop and Jazz to Country and Celtic. He had numerous chart hits with such songs as After Tonight and More Than I Can Say. His debut solo album, Suddenly produced three top 20 hits. Bohinta released two albums. Over the past 12 years The High Kings have released 4 studio albums, 2 live albums and 2 DVDs. The event began on 27 December in Belfast, and (as of this edit) has not ended yet. In 2017 they released a compilation album Decade which celebrated 10 amazingly successful years together and also included 5 brand new recordings. The album contains traditional Irish music, ranging from religious songs to pub music. The event was hosted by US President Barack Obama and attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The newest member Paul OBrien said: Its definitely the song you would sing (he motions towards Darren Holden) Nobodys Child, I dont know who originally sung it.