A traditional Irish folk and ballad band, The Kilkennys are noted for their dynamic arrangements, energetic performances and charismatic rapport with audiences across the globe.
Picking up the mantle left by acts such as The Dubliners and The Clancy Brothers, the 4 piece group continues to conquer tour circuits in Europe and the U.S. In the past years, The Kilkennys have shared the stage with renowned Irish artists such as Shane McGowan, Sharron Shannon and Finbar Furey.
“The Kilkennys are a great band upholding the Irish Folk/Ballad tradition with a contemporary style. Matching the passion &
stories with these songs. The Kilkennys live is a fantastic show”
- Barry Stapleton, Milwaukee Irish Fest
The band was established between schoolmates and began touring the length and breadth of Ireland in 1998. In 2008 they decided to name themselves ‘The Kilkennys' after their beloved home, Kilkenny City. Now based in South East Ireland, the group have evolved through the years and is anchored by founding members Davey Cashin (vocals, mandolin, banjo, guitar, whistles), Tommy Mackey (bass, acoustic guitar, vocals), Mick Martin ( bodhran, uilleann pipes, low whistles, guitar, vocals) and newest member Josh O'Loughlin (Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, Bouzouki and vocals).
After releasing their live album and DVD ‘Meet The Kilkennys’, Radio and TV appearances soon followed, which included RTE’s Late Late Show, where they performed their single ‘Shine on Kilkenny’, an original song released to coincide with Kilkenny winning All Ireland hurling final for the fourth year in a row, a sporting celebration also headlined by The Kilkennys. Their much-acclaimed studio album ‘The Colour Of Freedom’ (2014) features a mix of original material and well-known ballads like 'Rocky Road to Dublin’ and ‘South Australia’. The strong connection between the band and their music is showcased in this album, with compelling musicianship and pristine vocal harmonies.
Seeking to preserve their status for re-introducing Irish folk and ballads to a young audience while capturing the hearts of the more seasoned traditional music lover, The Kilkennys embark on their new show featuring new material, set to be released later in the year. The bands popularity continues to grow with every energy-filled, toe-tapping and hand-clapping night of entertainment.
