Andy Cooney
Andy Cooney, with his outstanding voice and dynamic stage presence has always been a favorite among American and Irish audiences everywhere. His talent and versatility provide the ability to deliver a song directly to the hearts of his audience. Andy is surely one of the greatest singing sensations on the stage today. Christened “Irish America’s Favorite Son” by The New York Times, is a title he truly deserves. From his Sell Out performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall to performing in big a small cities across America, Andy Cooney is a house hold name in every Irish American home. Some of Andy’s latest successes have included his 4th sell out appearance at Carnegie Hall lat December with The New York Tenors. Andy will be at Carnegie Hall again on December 8, 2014 with the great Phil Coulter and his Orchestra. Andy’s 20th recording release “Bright Brand New Day” with Phil Coulter and his Orchestra has been receiving high critical acclaim. Mike Farragher of The Irish Voice newspaper calls “Bright Brand New Day” a “spine-tingling performance” the songs “delivered flawlessly”… This will be Andy Cooney’s 17th Annual Cruise of Irish Stars. “It all began in 1998. We’ve gone from a few hundred cruisers to as many as 1700! Let’s keep this great Irish Party at sea going for many years to come!”
Ronan Tynan
Ronan Tynan, “Put courage in your dreams, Ronan, and leave the rest to the Man Above, And then you will carve your footprints in the sand.” These words have shaped the remarkable life of the Irish tenor Ronan Tynan – a proud and loving lesson of his mother’s – from his childhood milking cows on a farm in County Kilkenny, Ireland, to an ever-evolving career as a singer, bringing him worldwide fame and admiration that could have existed only in the farthest reaches of those dreams. International audiences met Tynan as a member of The Irish Tenors. Now his singular voice and irresistible appeal have led him to strike out on his own, a decision that seems to have resulted in something far more meaningful than a mere solo career. For more information on Ronan, visit his website.
MIKE DENVER
MIKE DENVER, known as “The Galway Boy”, is one of Ireland’s top Country Stars, having this year celebrated 11 years in the entertainment scene. Mike has recorded 13 albums and 4 DVDS to date. Mikes New Album just released is called ”There’s Only One”. Mike was one of the first Irish performers to record with the legendary American Country singer George Jones in Nashville with a track called “The Real Deal”. Mike also recorded with american Country Singer Hal Katchum and performed on stage with Crystal Gayle, Charlie Pride, Gene Watson and the great Johnny Cash who is Mike’s all time favorite. Mike Denver regularly tours with his band packing dance halls all over Ireland and the UK. He will definitely get the party going on The Cruise of Irish Stars!
Richie Hayes
Richie has been in the entertainment world from the age of four. Since than he has appeared in all aspects of the business. He spent a lot of his teenage years at the Theatre Royal Waterford with practically every musical society in the City in productions such as: Little Shop of Horrors, Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof, The Boyfriend (Lord Brochurst), Chorus Line (Ritchie), Joseph and the amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Benjamin), Oliver (Artful Dodger) in which he won the adjudicator’s award in WIFLO.How to success in Business without Really Trying (Finch), Showboat (Rubberface), in which he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Aims. Hard Times (Tom Gradgrind), Jesus Christ Superstar (Annas), Cabaret (Emcee),
In November of 2000 Richie moved to Dublin where he began working Professionally making his debut at The Gaiety Theatre’s pantomime Aladdin as Wishiee Washie to rave reviews each year, he’s now been resident there for the last five seasons in productions of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Windy), Sleeping Beauty (Kermit) Cinderella (Buttons) and Jack and the Beanstalk (Soft Sean) alongside names such as Mick Lally, Frank Kelly and Ronnie Drew.
David James
David James is an 18 y/o from Donegal Ireland.
In his short career he has had 2 number one singles in Ireland. He was also awarded with the accolade of Ireland’s best young entertainer at the music city awards. He has been singing live on the road from the tender age of 14 and has since developed a following in Ireland.
He is really looking forward to the cruise of the Irish stars and looks forward to meeting you on board
Devri
Composed of Declan Houton, Larry Flint, Steve O’Callaghan & Chuck Parrish, Devri is an exciting and dynamic band from greater Boston, with major ties to Ireland. The band plays all styles of Irish music, as well as classic and modern rock, country and folk. Instruments include Fiddle, Mandolin, Banjo, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Bass, Whistles and Drums; we also can add Sax & piano if desired.
Devri is particularly suited for weddings, festivals, Irish dances and corporate functions. If you are planning a wedding or function, Devri can handle all your musical needs. The Band is ideally suited for wedding receptions, but is equally adept at providing music for ceremonies, cocktail receptions, and parties with a variety of vocal and instrumental line-ups. While Devri’s music is firmly based around the Ballads, Tunes & rousing music of Ireland, at a typical Devri show you will hear songs & tunes from The Pogues, Johnny Cash, The Dubliners, The Beatles, Snow Patrol, U2, Garth Brooks & The Wolfe Tones !!.
We as a band can draw from our individual experiences of traveling & playing music throughout the States, Europe, China and Australia, to insure we make your event an entertaining one….its Devri for folks sake !!!
Composed of Declan Houton, Larry Flint, Steve O’Callaghan & Chuck Parrish, Devri is an exciting and dynamic band from greater Boston, with major ties to Ireland. The band plays all styles of Irish music, as well as classic and modern rock, country and folk. Instruments include Fiddle, Mandolin, Ban
Dee Reilly
Dee Reilly is one of the most exciting entertainers on the Irish and Nashville scene. Born of Irish parents from Cork and Mayo, Deidre grew up listening to Irish favorites and the best of American Country music. While still in her teens, she was discovered by talent scouts from Nashville and was invited to perform on a popular live show called CountryMusic USA at Opryland Show Park in Nashville. She has many fans in Ireland where she is affectionately known as “Dee” Reilly. Deirdre has recorded two Irish albums – “The Patriot Game” and “A Toast to the Irish Colleens” and four Country albums.
John Whelan
John Whelan grew up near London and was raised on the fiddle and pipe music of Ireland. His father Denis, from County Wexford, didn’t have any major vices – his only addiction was to Irish music. At age 14 John recorded his first album, “Pride of Wexford”. He moved to the U. S. in 1980 and soon was performing with Riverdance fiddler Eileen Ivers. In 1997 John formed the John Whelan Band and has recorded several albums. For more information on John, visit his website.
Pauline Wells
Pauline was born in Brighton and grew up in North Cambridge. She attended high school at North Cambridge Catholic, then onto the University of Massachusetts earning a bachelor of arts in business, and a graduate degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Anna Maria College.
In 1993 Pauline joined the Cambridge Police Department. In 2003, she was promoted to Sergeant Detective. As a supervisor in the Major Case Unit, she devoted significant time overseeing Domestic Violence and Sex Offender Crimes. In 2010 she was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Pauline has served as the Commanding officer the Court Prosecution Unit at the Middlesex County District Court in Medford, supervised Day Patrol Operations as well as Administrative Services. She also serves at the police liaison to the Cambridge Women’s Commission.
The Catskills Ceili Band
The Catskills Ceili Band features Traditional Irish Music Hall of Fame members Jimmy Kelly, Sr. who has drummed with the Tulla Ceili Band when in the U. S. and he’s been to the late, great Paddy O’Brien’s hometown in Nenagh,Tipperary. Along with All-Ireland Accordion Champion John Whelan, who was named Traditionalist of the Year by The Irish Echo and well-known New York Fiddler Bernadette Fee who is a veteran performer and is very active in the traditional music circles. She has played at numerous festivals and enjoys bringing the love she has for the music to the stage.
Paddy Noonan
Paddy Noonan came to America from County Cork at the age of 11. It was not long before he was in demand as a performer. At a very young age he became a bandleader and toured all the Irish Dance Halls of the day. The sixties brought about the Paddy Noonan Variety Shows. Paddy gathered together many great talents from Ireland and America and gave them their start. Paddy still performs today and runs cruises and trips the world over. For more information on Paddy, visit his website.
The Screaming Orphans
The Screaming Orphans are four fun, high-spirited, musically-obsessed sisters from Donegal who all confidently play their own instruments and write their own songs. The four Diver sisters, Gráinne, Marie Thérèse, Angela and Joan are accomplished songwriters. They are a pop-rock band with musical influences from the Beatles, R.E.M. Indigo Girls, Abba to traditional Irish music. They have released “listen & learn”, “Screaming Orphans”, “Back to Dublin”, “Circles”, “Belle’s Isle” and their latest “East 12th Street”. For more information on The Screaming Orphans, visit their website.
Kathy & Andreas Durkin
Kathy & Andreas Durkin are both natives of County Cavan. Kathy is one of Ireland’s leading female entertainers and recording artists. Her voice has been described as being distinctively “IRISH”, being both strong and of great clarity. Kathy came from a very musical family, her late father Eugene Leddy, a talented fiddle player, had one of the most successful ceilí bands in Ireland in the 50’s and 60’s. Kathy has had a prolific output of singles and albums during her career. She has proved that she is an artist of talent and commitment to the Irish music industry. Her version of the “Working Man” spent an incredible one year in the Irish charts, and was voted best single in Ireland in 1991 and 1992. She has recorded many albums over the years, her most recent being “My World Around You”. For further information on Kathy, please visit her website. Andreas is becoming a well known artist in Ireland and abroad for his eclectic mix of music which ranges from Irish to country and western and popular. A talented keyboard player and vocalist, he may have inherited some of his talents from his mother. Andreas has toured America, UK and parts of Europe with Kathy, as well as around Ireland with his own group Cheap Whiskey. In 2008, Andreas recorded his first album “…the Land across the Sea”, and his just released “Roll Back The Clouds”. For further information on Andreas, please visit his website.
The Willie Lynch Band
The Willie Lynch Band have been singing traditional Irish music in pubs, VFW halls, festivals, church basements, political fund-raisers, cruises, weddings and wakes famously in New Jersey. Born the last of eight children in the Dublin suburb of Cabra West, Lynch was raised by his mother, Lily MacDonald, who sang “Pal of My Cradle Days” around the house, a tribute to a mother’s sacrifices. Willie now sings it in her memory, and of the 60 or more songs in his repertoire it’s the one that makes him sentimental. “He plays traditional Irish songs with a Vegas kind of flair…he’s one of the backbones of Irish culture.” Guitarist Jim Cox and accordionist Paddy Yorke, have been with him 27 years. All the members of the Lynch band can play several instruments, though they don’t bother much with a fiddle or banjo, preferring the sound of an accordion-mandolin-penny whistle combo. For more information on The Willie Lynch Band, visit their website.
Declan Aungier
Declan Aungier is from Rathangan, County Kildare, he began studying the Piano Accordion at the age of 9 and in 1987 became All-Ireland Under 18 Piano Accordion Champion. He became a professional musician in 1991 and embarked on a career that has taken him all over the world. He works exclusively as a solo entertainer providing music ranging from Country and Irish, some Irish Traditional music and music from present day. In 2007, Declan recorded a tribute to the late Dermot O’Brien, in February 2008, his song was awarded ‘Single of the Year’. “More than any other artist, Dermot O’Brien has been, and continues to be a huge influence on me, so I felt it appropriate to write and record a tribute song to the great man. For me, O’Brien will always be King.” For more information on Declan, visit his website.
Bill Lewis
Bill Lewis is an acclaimed pianist/accompanist, arranger and performer and has enjoyed a professional career for forty years. He is the Associate Music Director for the Natchez Opera Festival and Head Vocal Coach for the Central City Opera House Festival. Since 2001, Bill has been appearing with Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan in concert. In addition to his concert appearances, Bill also serves as official pianist for several important vocal competitions. As a teacher, Bill has served on the faculties of both the Boston and New England Conservatories and at Rutgers University. He has taught Master Classes across the United States and has a private studio in New York City.
Stephen’s Green
Stephen’s Green have since firmly established themselves on the Irish music scene in the United States, performing in Irish venues across the country where they are acclaimed as one of the hottest Irish duos on the circuit. Martin Doyle and Andy O’Driscoll, both natives of Dublin, by chance combined their outstanding musical talents several years ago. Andy is a gifted balladeer, equally at ease with traditional and contemporary favorites. Martin, an exceptionally capable musician, performed for several years on the music scene in and around Dublin before coming to America a few years ago. He holds Irish and International awards for his performing ability as master of the accordion, and is regarded as an exceptional keyboard artist. Together, Stephen’s Green provide an outstanding array of haunting ballads, rollicking jigs and reels and hand-clapping sing-a-long favorites, as well as first-rate original compositions. Their friendly, engaging ways and outstanding stage presence have won them a legion of fans wherever they perform. For more information on Stephen’s Green, visit their website.
Tom Comerford
Tom Comerford has been playing music since 1988, and has been fortunate enough to do it as a profession, since 1990. After a vast amount of mileage, countless tours, and three well received CDs with The Whole Shabang, Tom decided that it was time to concentrate on a career closer to home. Tom is still one of the most sought after entertainers in the South East of Ireland, where he works in a solo capacity. Possessing a fine ability to read an audience, Tom’s repertoire is vast and varied, and continually growing. Anyone who has been to a show can recognize that he is equally happy whether singing the old classics or the newer contemporary Irish songs that are destined to become classics. Recording is still a top priority with Tom, having just released “Celtic Connections”; other CDs include “A Tour Of Ireland”, “Face the Music”, “Organized Rhyme”, “Celtic Christmas”, and “Celtic Classics”. The emphasis is on fun, sing-a-long, audience involvement…you don’t need to know a whole bunch of Irish songs to enjoy one of the gigs…Tom Comerford knows more than enough Irish songs for everyone to have a good time. For more information on Tom, visit his website.
The Andy Cooney Band
Colm Graham
Colm Graham plays guitar in the Andy Cooney Band and sings lead and background vocals, he hails from the County Tipperary. Colm released “Celtic Landscapes”, his first all instrumental album for acoustic guitar, all music written and arranged by Colm, and recently released his first solo album, “Songs of Home” that includes pub sing-a-longs and a couple of songs written by Colm and his brother, Brendan Graham. For more information on Colm, visit his website.
Jimmy Kelly
Jimmy Kelly plays drums and sings lead and background vocals and occasionally guitar in the Andy Cooney Band. Jimmy lives in Albany, NY and is from an extensive line of Irish musicians. Jimmy recently was in Riverdance on Broadway and took third in the All Ireland for ceili drumming.
Brian “Bugsy” Moran
Brian “Bugsy” Moran is a multi-talented musician and plays keyboard and sings lead and background vocals in the Andy Cooney Band. Brian worked the New York City music scene performing in many of New York’s premier Irish establishments with Irish entertainer and songwriter Mike Carroll. Brian formed the very popular band, “Bugs Moran and the Trouble Boys, featuring some of New York City’s best rockers.
Mitch Reilly
Mitch Reilly has been a professional musician for 36 years. Mitch was born into an Irish-American family hailing from Co. Cavan, Ireland. He has performed with many international entertainers including Engelbert Humperdinck, Tiffany and Kelley Hunt as well as television performances on MTV, VH1, BBC, Arsenio Hall, Pat Sajak, The Oak Ridge Boys and Disney Channel. Mitch is a sought after studio musician in Los Angeles and Nashville and has recorded three solo records as well as performed on recordings with Chet McCracken (Doobie Brothers) and The Diane Marino Quartet. He has also headed up his own jazz group and Irish group to perform on radio shows and at festivals in Tennessee and Alabama.
John Whelan
John Whelan grew up near London and was raised on the fiddle and pipe music of Ireland. His father Denis, from County Wexford, didn’t have any major vices – his only addiction was to Irish music. At age 14 John recorded his first album, “Pride of Wexford”. He moved to the U. S. in 1980 and soon was performing with Riverdance fiddler Eileen Ivers. In 1997 John formed the John Whelan Band and has recorded several albums. For more information on John, visit his website.
