Gavin Whelan is widely regarded as one of the finest exponents of the tin whistle.

Gavin was a founder member of the band Dál Riada along with, Mick Brodrick, Bouzouki, Tristian Rosenstock; bodhrán, Frances Cranny; lead vocals and Zöe Conway fiddle and backing vocals. The Band was a big success performing at numerous Festivals throughout Ireland and abroad. Gavin has also been actively involved in the teaching of Irish Traditional Music in primary schools in the Dublin area and annually at Willie Clancy Summer School, In Miltown Malbay

Gavin has also featured on TV programmes including Geantrai with guitarist Paul Doyle, Open House afternoon show with Shane Mcgowan - guitar and Tony Quinn - bodhrán and The High Reel with Eoin O Neill bouzouki. Gavin graduated with a H.N.D In Irish Music Performance from The Senior College - Ballyfermot

Gavin has taught at the following festivals and Schools
Willie Clancy Summer school - Miltown Malbay – Co Clare
The Des Carty weekend – Dublin
The Phil Murphy weekend – Co Wexford
Skerries Irish Music Festival – Co Dublin
Unaverisity of Limerick – Co Limerick
Inshoween, Culdaff –Co Donegal
Joe Mooney Summer School – Drumshamboo – Co Letrim
Chris Langan Summer School -

Gavin has toured solo all over Ireland in venues encluding
The Cobblestone, Smithfield- Dublin
Whelans – Wexford st – Dublin
The Sprit store – Dundalk
The Lobby – Co Cork
The Wexford Arts Centre
The Culturlann - Belfast
The Civic Theatre Tallaght In 2001 he released his first solo album simply titled Gavin Whelan on his own Record label Tallaght records and was hailed by the critics as "beautiful", "captivating" and "formidable".

In 2002 he was nominated my Irish Music Magazine for Best Traditional Newcomer

In November 2002 Gavin was asked by music network to take part in Music Of the Northlands tour witch encluded musicians Chris Wood – fiddle- vocals from England -
Angelika Nielsen (fiddle) from the Faro Islands Timo Väänänen (kantele) from Finland plays various types of kantele, the Finnish national instrument. Robert Harbron (concertina/guitar) Synnøve S. Bjørset (hardanger fiddle) from Norway plays traditional repertoire in the Western Norway tradition Sophia EriksHenrik Jansberg (fiddle) is a young Danish fiddler who works as a soloist and with the group Tek3son (viola d'amore/fiddle) is one of Sweden's new hot fiddlers. Highlites of the tour enclude performances at the Towersey village folk festival and The folk in the fall serius in the Purcell rooms London.

In 2004 he was asked to head the prestigious Music Network tour( The Next generation with musicians from his album encluding (Zoe Conway fiddle) Aogán Lynch- concertina – and Donnacha Moynihan – guitar)

in 2006 he released his second solo album intitled Another time

Gavin has played at festivals including

Irish Festival in Finland in 1998 1999 and 2002
Lapua Folk festival in Finland
Tel a viv Irish festival Isreal
Gutinbrunn Folk festival Austria
Music under the mountains festival Hollywood, Co Wicklow
Skeries Irish music festival Dublin
Pib Murphy Festival Carraig – on – Bannow – Co Wexford
Beo Celtic Music Festival-National Concerthall –Dublin
UCC Tradfestival – Co Cork
Feakle Traditional music Festival - Co Clare

He has got extensive radio play all over Ireland and America

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