DUBLINESQUE BRINGS AN IRISH HOUSE PARTY

​

Eamonn Flynn grew up in a family that centered on joyous gatherings in which everyone sang, played, or told stories. His band Dublinesque furthers that spirit. Born and raised in Dublin, he adopted piano as his instrument, and began to play with Rob Strong, father of Andrew, the star of the popular Irish film The Commitments. Eamonn played keyboards on the Commitments soundtrack and toured extensively with them.

After moving to San Francisco, he spent ten years working with the Meters’ Zigaboo Modeliste, along with other Bay Area musicians like Elvin Bishop and Maria Muldaur. But he always kept one hand in Irish music working with the likes of the Black Brothers (siblings of Mary and Frances Black) and Finbar Furey.

After teaching a music course to kids at the Irish Center in San Francisco, Eamonn created a backing band for their end-of-term show—the result was Dublinesque. Along with Flynn, the band features Darcy Noonan from Oakland on fiddle who grew up immersed in Irish musical and dance culture, playing sessions at Berkeley's Starry Plough from the age of nine. On banjo is Hector Bragado who grew up in Guernica playing and dancing to traditional Basque music. Felim Egan from County Offaly in Ireland completes the line up on accordion and bodhran (drum). Like Eamonn, Felim comes from an accomplished and well known Irish musical family. 

What began as a backing group for a show developed into a creative collaboration. Dublinesque have been delighting audiences with a combination of fiery virtuoso Irish traditional music playing, and moving original and traditional songs all delivered in a celebratory show that mirrors the kind of parties that Flynn grew up with in Ireland.

Their self-titled album features originals by Eamonn including “Sack ‘Em Ups,” a droll story of grave-robbing in 19th Century Dublin and “Butte, Montana,” about the town that became home to many Irish who endured appalling mining conditions in large part by holding on to their ethnic traditions. As Irish critic Seàn Laffey put it, “The well is not dry; Flynn is the bard to continue the canon of songs for Dublin, because every generation needs its memories and melodies.” 

The album will be released on October 1st by Little Village Music and Dublinesque are touring in late 2026 and early 2027.

​

QUOTES

"Dublinesque played a creative mix of Irish music and storytelling that entertained the crowd from start to finish. The musicians are at the top of their craft and the packed house left our venue in pure Irish bliss.” United Irish Cultural Center, San Francisco

"Flynn's songwriting moves with true emotional register across history, folklore and poetry…with grit and true Dublin savvy.” Deirdre Cronin - Irish Music Magazine

​

"The well is not dry; Flynn is the bard to continue the canon of songs for Dublin, because every generation needs its memories and melodies."

Seán Laffey - Irish Music Magazine

PAST PERFORMANCES:

KVMR Celtic Fest, Grass Valley

United Irish Cultural Center, San Francisco

The Occidental Center for the Arts

Pacifica Performances

The Backroom, Berkeley

Diversity Festival, Benicia

Porch Fest, Benicia

Tourism Ireland (various events)

Freight and Salvage, Berkeley

Irish Consulate San Francisco (guest of honour Nancy Pelosi)

​

​​