History

For nearly 30 years I have been lucky enough to work with the finest traditional Irish musicians of our time. In 1997 I started The Blackbird Agency, after a decade or so I took a break, then returned in 2010 as Ruby Hoy – working for traditional music & musicians. In both cases it was at the request of a musician who asked me to represent them. I do this for a love of the music and desire to see the tradition carried forward. The work is much like herding cats, but it has moments of joy. Now easing into retirement I am cutting back. Some of my artists are wisely no longer touring in the US – artists without borders would be a wonderful thing, but alas….  Some, like myself, are hoping to spend more time fishing, and some are now playing in the heavenly Seisún – sure the craic is mighty up there these days. Below are the artists I have worked with, hopefully I did not forget anyone!

Andrew McNamara
Andy Irvine
Boys of the Loch
Brendan Begley & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh
Bua- Sean Gavin, Brían Ó hAirt, Brian Miller, Devin Shepherd
Celtic Fiddle Festival
Charlie Piggott, Gerry Harrington & Nancy Conescu
Chulrua – Paddy O’Brien, Pat Egan Tim Britton- then Patrick Ourceau
Colm Gannon, Jesse Smith & John Blake
David Munnelly
Dylan Foley
Ged Foley
Jackie Daly & Matt Cranitch
James Kelly
Jimmy Crowley
John Carty with Alan Murray
John Redmond
Johnny Connolly & Aidan Brennan
Josephine Marsh Band
Kevin Burke – solo & assorted combos
Liz & Yvonne Kane
Liz Doherty
Manus McGuire
Mary Courtney & Morning Star
Mick McAuley
Na Dorsa – Paul Bradley, Martin Quinn, Paul Meehan, Desy Adams, Tiarnan O Duinnchin, Margaret Cunningham
Niamh Parsons & Graham Dunne
Nuala Kennedy & Eamon O’Leary
Patsy O’Brien
Providence – Joan McDermot, John Wynne, Micheál Ó Raghallaigh, Paul Doyle, Clodagh Boylan
Seán Gavin solo, with Colm Gannon, and with Gavin family
Sliabh Notes
The Yanks- Dylan Foley, Isaac Alderson, Sean Earnest, Dan Gurney
Tommy Peoples