Mick Mulcahy: Biography

Mick Mulcahy, from Brosna, Co. Kerry, is a living legend in Irish accordion and melodeon playing, with a rare repertoire of old tunes, which he plays in a highly distinctive style. Mick learned to play the accordion from his uncle as a child. One of Mick’s earliest musical memories was listening to Ciarán MacMathúna’s Radio Éireann programme ‘A Job of Journeywork’ which featured Mrs. Crotty, Pádraig O’ Keeffe, Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford. Mick’s father bought him his first accordion in 1956 and in 1968 Mick was chosen to represent Kerry in RTÉ’s All Ireland ‘Spot the Talent’ Competition, which he won. Mick was asked to join the Brosna Ceilí Band in the mid 60’s by fiddle player Donal O’ Connor. The Brosna went on to win the Senior Ceilí Band title at the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in 1972 in Listowel.

Mick himself is a renowned solo artist having recorded two stalwart albums on the Gael Linn label. His first solo album, self-titled ‘Mick Mulcahy’ is considered a classic album of accordion music. His later album in 1990 titled, Mick Mulcahy agus cairde’ featured Mick O’ Connor on banjo, Joe Rynne on fiddle and Mel Mercier on bodhrán.

Mick’s distinctive style of accordion playing is rooted in the musical regions of Kerry, Clare, East Galway and Sligo, a style of music and touch, which has been passed down to his two daughters Michelle and Louise. Mick, Louise and Michelle have recorded four albums, which have received worldwide acclaim, one with American record label Shanachie, and 3 with Irish record label Cló-Iar Chonnacht. Their latest album ‘The Reel Note’ was  awarded Tradconnects ‘Traditional Album of the Year’ in 2017. Mick also received the Bardic award from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2017.