Patrick
O'Flaherty, a talented multi-instrumentalist, began playing
the harmonica as a young boy in Connemara. Raised in Galway's
Gaeltacht on the Rugged West Coast of Ireland, Patrick is part
of a select group of people whose native language is Gaelic.He
grew up in Ardmore, Co. Galway, and spent much of his boyhood
on Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran islands off the coast of
Galway. Today he is acknowledged as one of the truly fine practitioners
of Irish mandolin and harmonica. He is also a highly respected
player of the button accordion and banjo. Patrick is one of
the few composers today writing original songs in Gaelic. His
professional music career has spanned nearly three decades.
During
this time he performed with two excellent bands, The Celtic
Folk and The Poor Clares, whose second album, "Change
of Habit," reached the national charts. He has played in a multitude
of venues including the National Press Club, the D.C. mall on
Solidarity Day, Notre Dame University, the National Geographic
Concert Series, the Milwaukee Irish Festival, and the New Orleans
Jazz and Heritage Festival. He played on the island of St. Maarten
in the Caribbean and he plays the music on the documentary at
Antietam Battlefield. He has also performed for a variety of
notable audiences including Pope John Paul II, President Reagan,
President Herzog of Israel, and Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neill.
Throughout
his musical career, Patrick has received many awards and distinctions
recognizing his talent, dedication and importance to the Irish
music scene, and the fostering of Irish culture. These
honors include: the New Orleans Irish Society's Coamnuigteoir
Award, The Johanna Seither Award from the Celtic Nations Heritage
Festival of New Orleans, the D.C. Irish Radio Show's Musician
of the Year Award (6 times), Honorary Citizenship in the town
of Kentwood, Louisiana, keys to the city of Alexandria, Virginia,
and the Celtic Culinarian Award. Patrick was a founding member
of several groups that promote Irish Awareness in America. For
example, he helped create the Dick Dowling Society in Houston,
Texas, Americans for Irish Awareness in D.C., and the St. Patrick's
Day Parade in Alexandria, Virginia.
Today,
Patrick lives in Lewisburg, West Virginia where he performs locally at The Irish Pub
when he is not touring. He tours as a solo act, as well as with the trio Paddy in the Holler, and occasionally with the Poor Clares and the Celtic Folk. In his performances,
Patrick plays several instruments and sings in both Gaelic and
in English. He performs in a variety of venues, including festivals,
pubs, concerts, and schools. He has a wonderful and engaging
children's show, which includes songs and stories from his homeland
and information about each of the instruments he plays. Patrick
skillfully adapts his show to suit his audience, enabling him
to delight children of all ages, and audiences of all sizes.
Check the calendar
to see when Patrick will be playing near you.