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Gerry O Beirne

Gerry OBeirne

Born in Ennis, County Clare, along Irelands music-rich west coast, Gerry OBeirne is a renowned singer, songwriter and guitarist (6 and 12 string guitar, tiple, and ukulele, slide guitar among others). He grew up in Ireland and in Ghana in West Africa, and has since lived in England, California, and Mexico. He lives now near Dingle in Co Kerry. His own compositions blend the passion found in traditional music with the freshness of contemporary song.

Gerrys first solo album, Half Moon Bay, featured his own songs and instrumental compositions. Half Moon Bay was cited as one of the 12 best releases of the year by Performing Songwriter magazine and was chosen as one of Folkworlds Top Ten Albums of the year. His second album The Bog Bodies And Other Stories: Music For Guitar, was named CD of the Month on the radio show Echoes, and one of the essential albums of the year on the same show and was featured on the Irish TV show Nationwide. His latest album Yesterday I Saw The Earth Beautiful with fiddler Rosie Shipley was described as "an extraordinary album with innovative arrangements and hauntingly beautiful songs." by Folkworld.

Many of his songs have been embraced by the contemporary folk community. Maura OConnell recorded Half Moon Bay, Western Highway, Shades of Gloria, and The Isle of Malachy. Mary Black recorded The Holy Ground as a title track. Cathie Ryan recorded Shades of Gloria and The Lights of San Francisco. Muireann Nic Amhloaibh has recorded Western Highway and The Isle Of Malachy on Daybreak: Fainne An Lae, and his music for Irish language lyrics on her latest album The Small Hours.