Album Notes

Patrick O'Flaherty, a talented multi-instrumentalist, began playing the harmonica as a young boy in Connemara. Today he is acknowledged as one of the few truly fine practitioners of Irish mandolin and harmonica. He is also a highly respected player of the button accordion and banjo. In addition, Patrick is one of the few composers today writing original songs in Gaelic. His professional musical career has spanned nearly three decades. During this time he performed with two excellent bands, the Celtic Folk and the Poor Clares. He has played in a multitude of venues including the National Press Club, the D.C. Mall on Solidarity Day, Notre Dame University, the National Geographic Concert Series, the Milwaukee Irish Festival, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. He played on the island of St. Maarten in the Caribbean, and he plays the music behind the documentary at Antietam Battlefield. He has also performed for a variety of memorable audiences including Pope John Paul II, President Reagan, President Herzog of Israel, and Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill.


Throughout his musical career, Patrick has received many awards and distinctions recognizing his talent, dedication and importance to the Irish music scene, and the fostering of knowledge of Irish culture. These honors include: the New Orleans Irish Cultural Society's Coamnuigteoir Award, The Johanna Seither Award from the Celtic Nations Heritage Festival of New Orleans, The D.C. Irish Radio Show's Musician of the Year Award (6 times), Honorary Citizenship in the town of Kentwood, Louisiana, and the Celtic Culinarian Award. Patrick was a founding member of several groups that promote Irish awareness in America. For example, he helped create the Dick Dowling Society in Houston, Texas, Americans for Irish Awareness in D.C., and the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Alexandria, Virginia.


Raised in Galway's Gaeltacht on the rugged West Coast of Ireland, Patrick is part of a select group of people whose native language is Gaelic. He brings with him the wild, bewitching beauty of his native Connemara. His dry wit is a delight to audiences, as is his easygoing manner and willingness to share the authentic traditional music of his homeland.