Liam O'Flynn

Liam O'Flynn (Irish: Liam Ó Floinn, b. 15 April 1945) is a well known Irish folk musician. He was born in Kill, County Kildare to musical parents; his father played the fiddle and his mother played the piano. After his first encounter with the uilleann pipes, the greatest influences of his development were Leo Rowsome, Willie Clancy, and Séamus Ennis. Liam won recognition by winning prizes at the Oireachtas Festival and the Fleadh Cheoil in the 1... more

Liam O'Flynn (Irish: Liam Ó Floinn, b. 15 April 1945) is a well known Irish folk musician. He was born in Kill, County Kildare to musical parents; his father played the fiddle and his mother played the piano. After his first encounter with the uilleann pipes, the greatest influences of his development were Leo Rowsome, Willie Clancy, and Séamus Ennis. Liam won recognition by winning prizes at the Oireachtas Festival and the Fleadh Cheoil in the 1960s. . He was sometimes billed as Liam Óg Ó Floinn (i.e., Liam O'Flynn, Jr.) He co-founded Planxty and remained a member throughout the band's various incarnations. While Seán Ó Riada and The Chieftains had reinvigorated Irish traditional instrumental music in an ensemble format during the 1960s, Planxty took it one step further. They brought a punch and vitality to acoustic music which drew heavily on O'Flynn's piping virtuosity. After Planxty he easily found work as a session musician. He has worked with the Everly Brothers, Enya, Kate Bush... less