Bio
Brian Flynn grew up in Athlone and was educated in St.Mary’s School Athlone and St.Mel’s College in Longford. As a youngster he played in many local bands and groups such as the Jaguars and the Holy Terrors. In the early 1970s he formed the folk group Greensleeves and in 1976 they moved to Germany where, for the next 3 years they achieved great success, recording the album Irish Folk Songs and Dances in 1977 and touring Europe and the US.
In 1979 Brian left to pursue a solo career and for the next 5 years enjoyed huge acclaim in the legendary Kleinkunst Clubs. During this time he also started a television career as an interpreter/liaison person with German TV. In this capacity he worked on such highly acclaimed productions as the US/German co-production Winds of War , the cinema film The Lightship with Robert Duval as well as countless other TV shows and commercials.
In 1987 Brian returned to Ireland to take up a position as production assistant with RTE Television and over the next 15 years worked as a researcher / floor manager / presenter / assistant producer and finally Director.
In 2001 Brian met Media Lawyer Andrea Martin in RTE and within 2 years they had both left and moved to Co. Clare where Andrea set up as a freelance Media Lawyer and Brian performed in venues such as Bunratty and Dromoland Castles as well as many local pubs. They married in 2003. In 2004 Brian joined Clare FM as a freelance presenter and over the past number of years has presented practically every show in their schedule, including breakfast, mid-morning, lunchtime, afternoon , drivetime and night time shows
As well as all weekend shows, various chat shows and specials.
Brian and Andrea live in the tiny village of Inch, just 6 kilometres from Ennis and share their house and gardens with a dog and 3 cats. They both love the rural life, have totally integrated into the local community and now consider themselves fully fledged “Banner” residents !
about 1 year ago
Hello Brain and Andrea, My connection with Ireland is a strong one having gone to boarding school in Co. Kildare (born in Kenya) and marrying a Donegal lady. Two of my 3 children were born in Dublin. My wife Bonnie took up the fiddle about 4 years ago and I took up the classical guitar 2.5 years ago (at the tender age of 50!). Progress is being made albeit not without a bit of pain here and there but with help and encouragement from people like you, it makes it all the more exciting and enjoyable. We live in Dubai where there is frequently a dearth of cultural exposure so once again, you are a wonderful inspiration. Thank you. Graham and Bonnie
about 1 year ago
Hello there ! Great to hear from you Graham and don’t worry about taking up the guitar at 50…you are but a child ! I had a guy on to me the other day who took up guitar at 67 !!! Glad that you enjoy the videos and hopefully you will get something out of them. If you are ever looking for a great Irish entertainer / teacher to do a turn in Dubai well you know where to contact me !!! Stay in touch and once again thanks for contacting me. All the best for now. Brian
about 1 year ago
Howdy Brian, I think your website is fantastic. It is so enriching and positive and your voice is one that should be heard regularly on the Irish national airwaves. I have viewed all your songs and I enjoy them so much that each time I have my friends around I play these songs from your website and most times my friends sing along with the songs. Do you have CD on the market that I could purchase and send to my friends for Christmas. I have two friends. Are you available to sing at weddings ? I am thinking of getting married next year and you could make my marriage very enjoyable. Thank you. Gerry
about 1 year ago
Hello Brian
I was wondering what type of steel string guitar you play?
about 1 year ago
Gerry, when did you get the extra friend ? I have sent you and e-mail filled with stuff that innocent bystanders never need to see !
about 1 year ago
Hi Mike, The guitar I use in the tutorials is a Lowden. They are made by George Lowden in his factory in northern Ireland, about 12 miles from Belfast. I bought mine second hand but it seems perfect. They can be expensive but you can also get really good deals. They have a beautiful warm, full tone….in my opinion as good as, if not better than, the Martin D28. I use Cleartone strings or sometimes Martin Bronze lightguage and Jim dunlop picks. I also have a tanglewood and a guild but don’t use either of those in the tutorials.
about 1 year ago
Evening Brian,
Came across your website today while I was looking to learn some easy Irish folk songs for the guitar. I’m a beginner aged 26, started at Xmas but have about 15 songs learned and would love to learn some more irish folk songs. Will you be putting out tutorials often?
Also my girlfriends birthday is coming up in a couple months and I plan to have a bit of a party for her(living in dublin). Could you mail me contact details…
about 1 year ago
Hi Chris,
Thank you for the kind comments. My contact details: e-mail: dilligaf@ireland.com
mobile: 086-6075066
Looking forward to hearing from you.