Frankie Gavin & DeDannan 50th Anniversary
Frankie Gavin celebrates 50 years in Irish Traditional Music – Musician, Composer, and Founder of De Dannan
To mark his 50th Anniversary in Irish traditional music, Frankie Gavin has announced a special tribute to Dolores Keane across a limited Irish tour in 2027. Frankie Gavin is internationally recognised as one of Ireland's most distinguished traditional musicians and cultural ambassadors; the founder, heart and core of the legendary band De Dannan.
Coming from a musical family, Frankie Gavin has played fiddle and flute since he was young. Originally influenced by the great Irish and American-Irish fiddle players such as James Morrison, Frankie developed a unique musical style that combined virtuosity, innovation and deep respect for tradition. His performances and recordings have helped shape the evolution of Irish traditional music for generations. He later found himself playing with stars: The Rolling Stones, Stephane Grappelli, James Galway and Yehudi Menuhin, and for celebrity audiences including four American presidents: J. F. K on his 1962 visit to Ireland, followed later by Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama.
Perhaps most importantly, the name Frankie Gavin is synonymous with De Dannan, the globally celebrated band he founded with Alec Finn in the mid-1970s. De Danann have had members many of whom went on to be legends and the fabric of Traditional Irish Music. All the best musicians and singers in Ireland came through the ranks. Singers like The late Dolores Keane, Mary Black, Maura O Connell, Cara Dillon. Tommy Fleming Andy Irvine Johnny Moynihan, Andrew Murray.& the late Eilish Moore, Philip King and the late Desi Wilkinson, and not forgetting, legendary Jimmy McCarthy.
Musicians like Mairtin O Connor, Jackie Daly. Aidan Coffey, Barry Brady, Derek Hickey, Caroline Lavelle, Brian McGrath. Bill Whelan on Bass, Dan Bodwell, Colm O Caoimh, Carl Hession and legendary Arty McGlynn.
The 2010 album Jigs, Reels & Rock 'n' Roll by Frankie Gavin & De Dannan, saw Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood made a special guest appearance contributing to the Irish traditional treatment of the rock classic ‘Gasoline Alley’. The partnership stemmed from a mutual respect for each other's music. Ronnie Wood stayed with Frankie Gavin for a time, where they shared tracks and Wood noted he could "slip into some of those like a hand in a glove," leading to his feature on the album.
2023 saw the birth of the latest incarnation of De Dannan. The band now comprises Frankie Gavin on fiddle and flute, Catherine Mc Hugh on piano, Ian Kinsella on guitar, Séan Garvey Jr. on melodeon and Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz on vocals and cello.
Throughout his career, Frankie has remained deeply connected to the musical traditions of his native County Galway while continually seeking new ways to present Irish culture to international audiences.
Today he is recognised not only as one of Ireland's foremost musicians, but also as an artist whose work has helped strengthen Ireland's cultural reputation throughout the world.