Sean Tyrrell - Sweet Ballyvaughan

Written by Judi Mc Keown. Recorded live at the Shelter in Dublin at the launch of the Belladonna CD And released as live Video 'Last Night In Babylon" filmed by Ben Gibney of Amber productions sound recorded by Colin Boland. Seán Tyrrell vocals Mandocello, Fergus Feely Mandola, Johnny Mulhern Guitar, Mick McNally keybords,Robbie Walshe Bodhrán

CD's and Videos available from www.seantyrrell.com

SEÁN TYRRELL
BIOGRAPHY

In 1978 he began working for University College Galway, based in the heart of the Burren. It's hard to avoid music in this part of Ireland and soon Seán was lured back into the music scene. With a growing reputation he was invited to 'guest' on several recordings, including two albums with uilleann piper Davy Spillane. Swapping the Burren for the sheltered Bell Harbour, close to the border of his native county Galway, Seán divided his time juggling the demands of fishing, oyster farming, and a re-energized approach to his music.

He became fascinated by the forward thinking poem 'The Midnight Court' by Brian Merriman, translated by David Marcus. (all 1,206 lines of it) Regarded by the critics as the hit of the Galway Arts Festival when Druid Theatre staged it in 1992. Seán Tyrrell's 'traditional music opera' featuring Seán with a host of talented contemporaries toured extensively around Ireland with a two week performance in 2008 at the Edinburgh Fringe and a tour of the USA in the same year.

On the heels of the success of his recordings with Davy Spillane, Seán embarked on his first solo project, "Cry of A Dreamer". Recorded on his own label Longwalk Music, later released by Rykodisc in April 1994 and was greeted with great critical acclaim, given a spotlight review by Billboard, voted Best Folk Album of the Year by both Folk Roots and Hotpress. Performing at major festivals and concert halls in Ireland, England, Europe, Australia and the USA,

In 1999 he released his much anticipated second solo effort, "The Orchard". Again the album was met with great critical acclaim. Seán was voted Best Overall Folk Act and the readers of Irish Music Magazine voted it Best Folk Album.

In more recent times, Seán has contributed music and songs to such projects as, "A Necklace of Wrens" a film documentary on the life and Poetry of Michael Hartnett, whose poem "Billy Mulvihill" Seán set to music on "The Orchard". It was Hartnett's "Belladonna in the Bar" gave him the title for his third CD "Belladonna" when Seán included Michael's poem on it. A recent German film documentary on Seán's native Galway included his performance of "Belladonna in the Bar". It also features poems by W B Yeats and Francis Ledwidge set to music by Seán.

Seán was invited to set to music the poetry of Francis Ledwidge who was killed in the First World War. He collaborated with 5 other international musicians on "Songs of Peace" to commemorate the life and work of the poet. Recorded and performed them at concerts over two nights at Passendale cathedral.
A decade and three solo CDs or so later Seán has launched in Ireland 'Rising Tide'- The Collection', comprising 16 tracks including a blend of familiar favourites, plus seven new tracks.
Also available on the Ark Music label worldwide under the title of 'The Best Of- Man For Galway'

Seán has toured in the past with: Tommy Peoples, Fergus Feely, Kevin Glackin, Ronan Brown, Seán Potts, Paul Mc Grattan, Davy Spillane. Three for the Ditch (Seán, Frankie Lane, and comedian Jack Lynch) Paddy Keenan, The Visit with Little John Nee and poet Mary O'Malley.
More recently he has concentrated touring 'The Midnight Court' with Johnny Mullins.

Now after many years languishing as a film treatment comes "Message Of Peace" a double CD on the life of one of Irelands unsung heroes John Boyle O'Reilly. Donal O Kelly actor of Catalpa and Kings fame launched it at The Galway Arts Festival 2009 and toured extensively around Ireland. It has since toured the USA on two occasions with great assistence from the Irish Arts Council and Culture Ireland.