Patrick O’Flaherty is an Irishman who is not short on accomplishments. O’Flaherty, born in Connemara, located on the western coast of Ireland, is a professional musician that is on a mission to enhance awareness about Irish culture and Ireland itself. He has been captivating audiences in America for over thirty years. His traditional Irish music is enthralling to the senses. The combination of the instruments, the words and the tune create an image of Ireland (lush, rolling green hills, a tranquil wind blowing as the crashing of the ocean waves pulsate the illustrious Irish sea cliffs) that has a calming and relaxing effect on the listener. Of course, O’Flaherty’s dedication to his music is also a reason for his success. As he explained quite simply, “I care about my Irish songs.”
Gaelic is the first language of this Irishman. He explained that he did not speak English until he was 13 ½. He did not need to except for when a tourist came by speaking English or in grammar class in school. Irish Gaelic (having 19 letters in its alphabet) is still used in the country with the highest concentration of speakers in western Ireland, home of the Irish musician. O’Flaherty has recordings in both Gaelic and English. He enjoys singing in his native tongue, but he likes accommodating his audiences with English and Gaelic.
The banjo, accordion, harmonica, and mandolin are some instruments that are played by and incorporated into O’Flaherty’s music. His favorite instrument to play is the Irish bouzouki. He also sings A Cappella. In addition to Irish music, he also performs Scottish and Celtic tunes. He explains, “They’re so close. It’s all Celtic people - Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall; they are all on the coast. That’s where the Celts expanded.” Before moving to West Virginia, he had lived in New Orleans for over fifteen years and consequently developed a taste for Cajun music. He explained that Cajun music has a lot of similarities with Irish music. “It’s old timey . . . same kind of instruments.”
As O’Flaherty has wrote, composed and played his music all over the world, he has made many connections right here in the Mountain State. He and two other talented musicians, Jim Costa and Mary Dailey, formed a musical trio, Paddy in the Holler. Paddy in the Holler combines Irish and Appalachian influences to create unique ballads, ditties, waltzes and more. The history of Appalachia is so intertwined with Irish history that the musical combination of the two seems natural. Recently, the trio was invited to Richmond, Virginia to discuss and compare Appalachian music with traditional Irish music. They will be performing at the Festival of the Rivers on September 5th in Hinton.
O’Flaherty has won several awards and merits for his musical talent and his dedication to promote and preserve Irish traditions and culture. Among many others, he has won the D.C. Irish Radio Show's Musician of the Year Award six times. He has also helped found many organizations that promote Irish culture and heritage.
Nowadays, when he is not touring, he can be found at The Irish Pub in Lewisburg where he is a headliner. When O’Flaherty is not busy making music, he likes to get outdoors and delve into the surroundings. He and his wife, Andrea, enjoy exploring towns, trails, parks, rivers, and the nuances that make a place special.
Patrick O’Flaherty, accomplished musician and Irish cultural crusader, is a man devoted to his music and his cause. He summed it up best by saying, “I’ll probably collapse on stage with a bouzouki in my hand . . . that would be the way to go.”
For more information on Patrick O’Flaherty, his schedule, samplings of his music, including CD’s available for purchase, visit http://www.poflaherty.com and see him live at The Irish Pub.
For information about Paddy in the Holler, visit http://www.myspace.com/irishpubjam.
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