We are both accomplished and highly qualified Traditional Irish Musicians and singers based in West Clare, Ireland.
We have a strong belief that our music is only on loan to us and it is our "duty" to pass it on and share it with as many people as possible.
Are you interested in learning Irish Traditional Music from real live working successful Musicians? Click here for more information.
For more information, check out our "About us" page.
You can check out our releases in our discography section.
Are you looking for musicians/singers or tutors for a pending music festival or event?
See our We play for... page.
Keep up to date with where we are performing on our gigs page or follow our blog on RSS.
Gerry began playing Irish Traditional Music when he was 13 years old in and around Miltown Malbay and Ennistymon in West Clare, Ireland, the capital of Irish Traditional Music. He is well known as an accomplished fiddle player and singer and has played both locally and internationally.
For more information on please follow this link.
Claire, originally from Knockdoe, Claregalway started learning tin whistle and flute with
Joe Collins in Lackagh National School. She went on to study for a Degree in Ethnomusicology in Queens University Belfast. As part of her studies she was based in Chicago Illinois USA and was well known in Irish Musical circles there. Claire also studied classical piano to the Senior Certificate Level. Claire is also a renowned singer/songwriter.
For more information on please follow this link.
Gerry began playing Irish Traditional Music when he was 13. His first teachers were Gus Tierney of the Kilfanora Ceili Band, Michael Kelleher and Paddy Hegarty from St. Michaels Ceili Band.
Gerry is a proficient fiddle player having played in sessions around Ireland for over 30 years and has a most impressive repertoire of Irish Traditional tunes. Both Claire and Gerry have a great love for their music and play in a style recognised as North Clare with subtle East Galway influences. They play in a very "traditional" mode with great respect for the music which has been handed down to them and a strong belief that it is our "duty" to pass it along in its pure form as a "dance music".
Gerry has played with many bands over the years including the North Clare group "Ceolteoiri Na Boirne" and for a time with the renowned Michael Sexton Ceili Band.
Gerry and Claire are currently part of the line up of Ceili Swing Ceili Band, who are an emerging force in the Set dancing Scene.
Both Claire and Gerry are well known musicians in the Clare area and are very much in demand for a variety of functions. (See We play for.. for further information)
They both also play with The Lackagh Ceili Band from Co Galway who reached the All Ireland Senior Ceili Band competition in 2010. Here is a clip of The Lackagh Céilí Band playing “The Ballyoran Hornpipe” at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2010 in Cavan.
For the last 10 years he has played mainly as part of a duo with his wife Claire Watts. For more information on current projects Claire and Gerry are working on Click Here.
Both Gerry and Claire have successfully completed the Masters in Irish Traditional Music Performance (Honours) awarded by the University of Limerick.
Click here for information on Claire. Click here to return to main Bio page
Claire is a talented musician and is proficient on timber flute, tin whistle, fiddle, guitar and has studied classical piano to the Senior Certificate Level.
Claire is also a gifted singer/songwriter and has participated in songwriting workshops with Nanci Griffith, Jenny Crook, Mark Selby and Tia Sillers among others. She has just completed a Diploma in songwriting with the London Song Company. She has recorded and released a CD of her own songs, "Elusive Butterfly" (See our Discography page for more information)
Claire has successfully managed her own music school for the last 7 years and has participated in and initiated a number of projects in conjunction with the Clare Arts Council. (For more information see our current projects page.)
Claire was a member of the All Ireland winning Lackagh Ceili band in 1984 And is currently part of the lineup of the Lackagh Senior Ceili Band who reached the All Ireland Senior Ceili Band competition in 2010. Here is a clip of The Lackagh Céilí Band playing “The Ballyoran Hornpipe” at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2010 in Cavan.
Claire lived in Bath Somerset UK for a number of years and remains a well respected musician in Bath returning with Gerry to perform in Somerset on a regular basis. Claire and Gerry were tutors and played a number of performances as part of the 2010 inaugural Bath Folk Festival. (Review of one of Claire and Gerry's performances here)
Both Claire and Gerry are well known musicians in the Clare area and are very much in demand for a variety of functions. (See We play for.. for further information)
Both Claire and Gerry are tutoring at the 2012 Bath Folk Festival. They will also be performing at a number of venues in and around Bath during the festival. Keep and eye on our gigs page for more information.
Both Claire and Gerry successfully have completed the Masters in Irish Traditional Music Performance (Honours) awarded by the University of Limerick.
Click here for information on Gerry. Click here to return to main Bio page
Do you have an interest in learning Irish Traditional Music?
Gerry and Claire offer Irish Music Tuition online. This uses the innovation of current media to allow people far removed from an Irish Music teacher learn at their own pace.
All classes are bespoke, designed with the learning outcomes of the individual student in mind.
We use pre- recorded music lessons, (video and/or audio) live online collaboration via "Skype", E-mail and written supportive material.
If you have an interest, contact us via E-mail by clicking here.
Gerry & Claire have performed all over Ireland, England, Italy and Switzerland.
And of course we are well known on the music session scene in Miltown Malbay and the surrounding towns where we play on a regular basis in Lynch's (Friels) Hillary's, The Westbridge, The Blonde's and The Central to name but a few.
Since November 2010 our performances have been curtailed somewhat following the arrival of our little one, but we plan to return to full time performance over the coming years.
For our current and pending gigs click here.
Last August we were both guest tutors at the third Bath Folk Festival. This was a very successful week where we met with some wonderful people. This was our third year tutoring at this intimitate festival.
Every July for the last 9 years we host an afternoon session in The Central Hotel Main Street, Miltown Malbay Co Clare during Willie Week. This session has proven to be very popular with the younger musicians at Willie Week. (Sample video here)
In May of 2010 we played in Stabio in Switzerland as guests of the : 'L'Albero Delle Note' Music School. (Concert outline). Here we were joined by two wonderful musicians, Ray O Leary on Accordion and Eric Faithfull on Uileann Pipes. (View short video of the concert)
Here is a short snippet of a us playing in Stabio in Switzerland
with our good friends Ray O Leary and Eric Faithful.
Here we are playing that wonderful tune, The Concertina Reel.
Thats us in the centre.
Summer is nearly over so things are quieting down a bit. Here is a brief list of what's coming up;
Gerry & Claire.
Gerry has been ill for the last while and has not been performing as much as usual. This situation will improve soon we hope.
Bath Folk Festival.
- August 12th - 16th 2013. Claire is a Guest tutor for the Bath Folk Festival. Bath Somerset.
As they say in Ireland, we play for weddings and wakes and all things in between. The following are the type of function we play for;
We have a specialised programme for all of the above events which is constantly evolving in scope and content. We are also open to include material by request.
If you would like to join our mailing list, please complete the form below.
We will then be able to keep you up to date on what we are up to.
Musically that is! :-)
Appearing here are the 3 most recent entries in our blog .
If you would like to contribute to any of the entries or see the complete Blog,
click here or on any of the Blog headings below.
Hi all, sorry for the lack of update but I have been unwell for a while. However Claire is busy busy busy… She is in studio at the moment recording an amazing CD of some wonderful new songs. Its going to be great so stay tuned for more info.
Well here we are, the madness begins again. Playing Irish Music has its demands like every other job i suppose. We have just come through the Clare County Fleadh here in Miltown. It went really well and we are facing the wonderful Willie Clancy Week the week after next. We shall be playing in Kellys [...]
Hi again, Claire and I are playing a concert in Bath as part of the folk festival. We will be in the Green park Tavern 44-45 Lower Bristol Rd Bath, Avon BA2 3BD on Saturday August 13th from 5pm to 7pm. Joining us on the night will be Catriona Killeen, a lovely Concertina player from [...]
Elusive Butterfly
We have made 2 recordings to date.
Our first endeavour was a CD titled "Elusive Butterfly"
There are 13 tracks on this CD all composed by Claire, for example the exciting "Drama on the Dance floor", the mournful "Cry to Recall". And the beautiful love song "Will You be the One" co-written with Gerry.
It been proven to be very popular since its release.
Our second recording is an album titled "Off She Goes" which features again, 13 tracks.(Lucky for some!)
There are 2 songs here, Claire sings the wonderful song, "Mantles of Green". While Gerry sings that lovely Sean McCarthy song, "Shanagolden"
All the remaining tracks are Traditional Irish Tunes. There are two reels here written by Claire, "Granny's Cottage" and "Knockliscrane Cross".
Other Reels such as "Banish Misfortune" and "Out in the Ocean" also appear, alongside Jigs such as "Off She Goes" and "Daniel O Connell". A Few set dances and a slow air. And of course, more Reels and Jigs.
Click Here to Purchase a copy of either/both of our CD's
Elusive Butterfly
See here for more information
Claire sings her own composition
Home from our Elusive Butterfly CD
Willie Clancy Summer School The Worlds Premier Irish Traditional Music Festival
Visit Miltown Malbay That wonderful town on the west coast of Ireland. The "Home of Irish Traditional Music"
Reclaimed Radiators
Premier Reclaimed Radiator Company based in Bath Somerset
Stephen Roden A Wonderful Painter and print maker based in Cheshire, U.K.
Ceili Swing Ceile Band Up and coming Ceili Dance Band
Central Hostel, Miltown Malbay, Co Clare, Ireland
Kate Lucas Amazing Soft Furnishings. Based near Bath, Somerset.
Bath Folk Festival 2011 The second year of this Blossoming Folk Festival
'L'Albero Delle Note' , Music School, Stabio, Switzerland
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Group dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music
Ronan O Reilly Artist An up and coming artist from east Clare.
Arts Office of Clare County Council Supporting the Arts in County Clare.
Please leave a comment in the form below. Gerry & Claire would love to hear from you.
Name and Emil are required.