Band with Kilcullen man up for German award

Germany-based Irish music band Fleadh, of which Kilcullen-born Paul Durney (Saoirse Mhór) is a member, has been nominated for the Rock & Pop Awards organised by the German Musician's Union, writes Brian Byrne.

The nomination means the band has already secured at least third place in the Best Folkrock Band category. The final results will be announced 11 December in Weisbaden.

Fleadh was formed in 1999, but the current lineup was set in 2007 and comprises uilleann pipes player Frank Weber, Frank Dürschner (mandolin, banjo, vocals), Tommy Gorny (guitar, vocals), Anna Hachulla (vocals), Saoirse Mhór and fiddle player Marcus Eichenlaub

Regular visits to Ireland keep them constantly in superb playing form.

Paul was musical even when he lived in Kilcullen, singing as a youngster in the Kilcullen Community Capers back in the 70s. In 1980 he left Ireland and busked his way across England and Germany, where he settled in 1987. After a period working with various local bands, fronting them and writing many songs, he collaborated with producer, sound engineer and singer/songwriter Andy Horn in ‘The Dolldrums’ CD featuring Paul's songs ‘Skin’ and ‘Mirror’.

On a trip to Ireland in 2004, after hearing Luka Bloom playing in The Riverbank in Newbridge, he picked his pseudonym Saoirse Mhór and began his current life of entertaining on the streets and on the Irish pub scene in Germany.

In 2006 his CD 'Skin' was released, featuring Belgian busker flute player Tom Drost.

Last August, Fleadh released their 13 track CD titled 'Humpy 'n Lumpy'. Saoirse contributed guitar, bass and percussion tracks and his own song 'Grey' to the production. Saoirse's daughter Blue guests with her Bodhrán on 'Maids of Mount Cisco'.