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.