Danny O’Flaherty

New Orleans, Our Musical Homecoming August 3, 2025

Danny O'Flaherty — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 18:16:35 +0000

It’s hard to put into words what it feels like to be back performing in New Orleans—especially with my brother Patrick by my side again. There’s a kind of joy and fullness in my heart that only comes from returning to a place that shaped you, surrounded by the people who helped build your story.

New Orleans isn’t just another city to us—it’s a sacred part of our journey. It’s where our music took root in America, where we shared songs and stories night after night with people from every walk of life. It’s where the Irish spirit we brought with us met the soul of the South—and something beautiful happened. Music flowed freely, friendships were formed, and our lives were changed forever.

Being back here

in this city that means so much to us, is like stepping into a memory that’s somehow still alive. And to share it all with Patrick again after so many years apart—it’s overwhelming in the best way. There’s a certain magic that happens when we sing together, something born in childhood, shaped by distance, and strengthened by time. That harmony—it’s not just musical, it’s emotional. It’s family.

We’ve walked different paths over the years, but the music has always been our common ground. And now, to return to New Orleans hand in hand with my brother—it feels like the circle is complete. I’m grateful, I’m humbled, and I’m beyond excited to share this moment with all of you.

This reunion isn’t just ours—it’s yours, too. So, thank you for welcoming us home. The show is currently sold out, but we will be streaming it live from the Deutsches Haus. Check my Facebook page for the details just prior to the show, 2 pm CDT.

Patrick and Danny O’Flaherty

Happy American Independence Day 2024 and a Gift

Joe — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 18:33:07 +0000

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

I would like to donate the spirit of freedom album for a free download as a fourth of July gift. The album features songs about how our great country came to be.

We have it available on my Bandcamp site, here is the link:
https://dannyoflaherty.bandcamp.com/album/the-spirit-of-freedom
(see notes at the bottom of this post for more info)

Hope you’ll have a fun weekend.

Blessings,
Danny

* more on the free download
the price is pay what you like, so you don’t have to pay anything!
click “buy digital album” and choose $0.00 or you can download an individual track doing the same thing with “buy track”

An Auld Connemara Christmas

Danny O'Flaherty — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 20:06:17 +0000

My favorite time of year growing up in Connemara was always Christmas time. A special feeling would settle over the village with the start of December. The preparations would start with the older children going out to cut holly and ivy in different sizes which would be put on the mantle over the hearth, along the windows, around pictures and over the doors.

Christmas Eve was a special day. After the chores were done, we’d get the candles ready for the windows. The candles would be lit by the youngest child in the family after sunset. The candles lit the way for Mary and Jospeh should they pass through on this holiest of nights.

We’d walk about 3 miles to midnight mass at the church in Kilkeerin. There was an air of anticipation and excitement in getting bundled up in your hats and coats and venturing out in the cold December night air. The church would be full with people from our village and neighboring ones. The choir would sing in Latin and Gaelic and it was magical.

When mass was over, we would walk back home. Tiny pinpoints of light scattered across the darkened countryside. In this modern age of electricity, it’s hard to imagine the utter darkness in the 1950’s. On the holiest night of the year, flickering flames beckoned in every window, lighting the way for the Christ Child. The aroma of peat from smoke rising from the chimneys remains with me to this day.

Christmas morning, we would wake early with excitement. Mommy would tell us Santa came down the chimney and left us presents, which would consist of some fruit, a couple of sweets and maybe a toy. Next, we’d get ready for the biggest meal of the year…Christmas dinner. The meal was usually a goose with all the fixings, including potatoes, turnip, carrots, parsnip and gravy. The thought of this makes me hungry! For dessert, there would be Christmas fruit cake with marzipan and icing and custard over warm plum pudding.

We’d spend the evening getting ready for the next day! December 26 is known as St. Stephen’s Day in Ireland. Young boys spend the day visiting neighbors with the holly bush to perform the song of the wren and are given money, such as six pence or a shilling.

The rest of the season was spent with family and friends.

Storytelling, dancing and parties in the homes of neighbors and relatives kept everyone busy and entertained for the full twelve days of Christmas. Finally, January 6, known as twelfth night or the epiphany, also known as Nollaig na mBan, or Women’s Christmas signified the last day of the season!

Whatever your traditions are for the Christmas season, I wish you joy and peace with family and friends.

Nollaig Shona Dhuit

Danny

On the Road Again!

Danny O'Flaherty — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 16:54:21 +0000

My friends, I cannot stay locked up anymore! We have started booking dates for the winter and working our way into 2022 to play LIVE, IN-PERSON in each other’s company.

Please take a look at the events calendar and come on out for a show.

I look so forward to seeing you all soon, with our eyes and ears in the same room.

Danny

HAPPY JULY 4TH!!

Danny O'Flaherty — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 15:25:29 +0000

I hope you enjoy this song from my album “THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM.” James Forten was a black abolitionist and wealthy businessman in Philadelphia. He emerged as a leader in Philadelphia’s black community and was active in a wide range of reform activities. He was especially prominent in national and international antislavery movements, served as vice-president of the American Anti-Slavery Society, and became close friends with William Lloyd Garrison, to whom he lent money to start up the Liberator. When he was captured at the age of 15 yrs old by the British he was sent to a prison ship.

When the captain offered to send him back to England, to receive an education, he said ““I AM HERE A PRISONER FOR THE LIBERTIES OF MY COUNTRY; I NEVER, NEVER, SHALL PROVE A TRAITOR TO HER INTERESTS” Forten was also the founder of a remarkable dynasty. His children and his son-in-law were all active abolitionists and a granddaughter, Charlotte Forten, published a famous diary of her experiences teaching ex-slaves in South Carolina’s Sea Islands during the Civil War.
When James Forten died in 1842, five thousand mourners, black and white, turned out to honor a man who had earned the respect of society across the racial divide.

James Forten stands beside Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and Martin Luther King, Jr. in the pantheon of African-Americans who fundamentally shaped American history.

You can find my album, “The Spirit of Freedom” here.

Canada Day and the Newfoundland Regiment

Danny O'Flaherty — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 19:32:04 +0000

July 1st is Canada Day in the north country, a day full of fun, friends and fireworks. It also marks the 104th yr anniversary of The Battle of Beaumont Hamel. The Newfoundland Regiment had been almost wiped the morning of July 1, 1916.

When roll call was taken the next day, only 68 men answered their names – 324 were killed, or missing and presumed dead, and 386 were wounded. I wrote this album to pay homage to those brave Newfoundlanders who gave their lives fighting in WW1.

Also, I wrote about the mothers who grieved for their sons, the wives left behind, the women from Newfoundland who joined the fight as nurses and ambulance drivers and the women who knit thousands of pairs of wool socks. I even included a song about Sable, the big Newfoundland dog who became the mascot for the soldiers.

For anyone wanting a CD, copies are available at:
http://rnfldrmuseum.ca/product-category/music/

All proceeds go to the Royal NL Regiment Museum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYxROCvMscQ

Upcoming Shows Postponed Due to COVID19 (coronavirus)

Danny O'Flaherty — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 19:03:35 +0000

Hello everyone, I’m so sorry but we will need to postpone my upcoming shows.

Under the advice of my doctors and my family, as well as with the deepest concerns over the safety of YOU, my fans, the risk of spread for the coronavirus is just too great at this time.

I am disappointed, but also looking forward to seeing you soon when we RESCHEDULE!

We will be processing refunds for those of you who purchased tickets through EventBrite shortly.

In the meantime keep tuned in to our social media and website. (We are working on a special something for you, more details soon.)

– Beannachtai Daoibh, Danny

Thank You My Friends

Danny O'Flaherty — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 22:26:28 +0000

I would like to thank all my friends who came out to my concert in New Orleans last week.

It was a night I will always cherish. It touched my heart to see so many old friends. For those of you who couldn’t be there but who sent messages and called, thank you for thinking of me.

May you all have a blessed Christmas.

God Bless.

Danny

New Website!

Danny O'Flaherty — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 15:13:14 +0000

News:

You may have noticed, we have a new website!

Thank you to everyone involved and we will be adding more information and content over the weeks and months to come.

Show Announcement:

I will be performing in New Orleans on Sunday, December 1st, 2019 at Esplanade Studios.

Get more info by clicking right here.

Writing on behalf of Irish musician Danny O’Flaherty, who is in recovery

Danny O'Flaherty — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 01:20:30 +0000

Dear Friends,

I’m writing on behalf a dear friend we share in common, Danny O’Flaherty. If you know Danny like I do, you know he is full of compassion, grace, enthusiasm, and love. I asked Danny if I could send this email, because I know you will be as moved by this as I am.

You may have heard the news that Danny was recently in a car accident. His wife, Lisa, tells us that after multiple tests, he has been diagnosed with a severe concussion and post-concussion syndrome, and he will have to have an MRI to rule out any further head/neck trauma.

His doctors expect him to make a full recovery, but they have told him he needs serious rest for the next several months. Of course, Danny has been a traveling musician his whole life, sharing the joy of his Irish music to the rest of the world with boundless energy. So you can imagine how difficult it is for him to rest!

Danny and Lisa have asked me to thank everyone for the outpouring of support they have received,and to let you know that Danny will have to cancel his shows for the next several months. This includes his popular Celtic Christmas celebrations, which would have been in their 25th year. As you can imagine, this is a huge blow, on top of everything else.

Danny has given me so much over the years, that I have decided to give back. There is no pressure, but I know many of our friends will want to help out like I have. It’s easy to do – you simply follow this link, and make your donation, in whatever amount you choose:

bit.ly/1kuyDML

Danny also loves all the emails, Facebook messages and calls he has received. He is not well enough yet to respond, but he tells me how much it means to him to have support from so many wonderful people.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, about someone we both love who needs our help. God bless.

Elizabeth H. O’Connor