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Andy Irvine
Biography
Andy Irvine has been a major influence on traditional Irish music for more than three decades. A former member of Sweeny's Men and Planxty, the London-born multi-instrumentalist and vocalist has continued to extend the musical traditions of the Emerald Isle as a soloist, a duet partner of Dick Gaughan and Paul Brady, and a founding member of Irish supergroup Patrick Street.

The son of a Scottish father and an Irish mother, Irvine was inspired by his mother, an actress, to pursue a career in theater and appeared in numerous films and stage productions as a youngster. Music, however, had an even greater lure. After learning to play guitar, Irvine played in several teenaged skiffle bands, acquiring an interest in traditional folk songs and the songs of Woody Guthrie. Moving to Dublin, Ireland in the early 1960s, Irvine became involved with the city's folk circuit, performing with Irish musicians including Johnny Moynihan, Luke Kelly and Ronnie Drew. In 1966, after touring with Moynihan and Joe Dolan, Irvine helped to form a band, Sweeney's Men. Although they were together for only two years, the group sparked a revival in traditional Irish music and had two hits, "Waxies Dargle" and "Old Maid in the Garret.
Selected Discography