Declan Masterson Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Declan Masterson
Born	Cabra, Dublin, Ireland
Genres	Irish traditional music
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer
Instruments	Uilleann pipes low whistle bouzouki guitar bodhrán concertina keyboards
Years active	1980s–present
Associated acts	Moving Hearts Andy Irvine Van Morrison Mosaic Clannad Patrick Street Bill Whelan Riverdance Jim McCann Eleanor McEvoy Michael Londra Townes Van Zandt Zoë Conway Ronnie Drew

Declan Masterson is an amazing Irish musician. He plays the uilleann pipes, which are a special type of bagpipes. He is also a talented composer and arranger of traditional Irish music.

Declan has had a busy career. He has released his own music and played with famous groups like Moving Hearts and Patrick Street. You might also know him as one of the musicians from the incredible show Riverdance. He has performed and recorded with many well-known artists, including Van Morrison, Clannad, and Ronnie Drew.

Declan's Early Life and Music
Declan's Music Journey
Selected Music Albums
See also

Declan's Early Life and Music

Declan Masterson was born in Cabra, Dublin, in Ireland. He grew up in a family that loved music. Both his parents, Frances and Jim, played traditional music. His uncle, Jimmy O'Reilly, was also a musician who played the squeezebox. This musical background helped Declan learn to play different instruments from a young age.

He especially loved the uilleann pipes. A pipe maker named Matt Kiernan, who lived nearby, became his mentor. Matt even made Declan's first set of pipes! Declan started playing with the Pipers Club Céilí Band. His first band was called Tipsy Sailor. After finishing school at O'Connell School in Dublin, Declan focused on his music career.

Declan's Music Journey

Playing with Moving Hearts

In 1981, a famous Irish band called Moving Hearts was formed. Two members from another popular group, Planxty, started it. They wanted to mix traditional Irish music with modern sounds. The band grew to include talented musicians like Declan.

Moving Hearts released several albums and became known for their instrumental music. Declan played the uilleann pipes in the band. Even though the group stopped touring regularly in 1984, they still played at special events and festivals.

Creating Music with Mosaic

In 1984, Declan joined a unique band called Mosaic. This group brought together musicians from different countries in Europe. Declan played alongside Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny, and singers from Denmark, the Netherlands, and Hungary.

They performed in places like Hungary and Belgium. One music reviewer said that Mosaic was "innovative and exhilarating," meaning they were new and exciting. Even though the band only lasted for one summer, they made a big impact.

Joining Patrick Street

Later, Declan Masterson teamed up with Bill Whelan to join the band Patrick Street. He helped record their album Irish Times in 1990.

The Magic of Riverdance

In 1994, Declan worked with Bill Whelan again and became part of the amazing Riverdance show. He played many instruments for the show, including uilleann pipes, low whistle, tin whistle, kaval, and bouzouki. He even became the musical director for a time!

Declan was with Riverdance for almost its entire run, until the Farewell show in 2012. He returned for the 25th Anniversary concerts in 2020, playing guitar, bouzouki, kaval, and pipes.

Solo Albums and Other Projects

Declan has also released five of his own albums. These include End of the Harvest (1990) and Heartland (2005). He is also a composer and arranger, meaning he writes and organizes music. His music has been used in films and TV shows, like The Irish RM and The Secret of Roan Inish. He has also recorded with many different musicians over the years.

Selected Music Albums

Declan Masterson has been part of many great music projects. Here are some of the albums he has worked on:

Solo albums

End of the Harvest (1990)
Tropical Trad (1993)
Fairwater Fionnuisce (1996)
Drifting Through The Hazel Woods (1996)
Heartland (2005)

With Johnny McEvoy

Long Before Your Time (1976)

With Moving Hearts

The Storm (1985)
Donal Lunny's Definitive Moving Hearts (2003)

With Van Morrison

A Sense of Wonder (1985)

With Danny Doyle

Twenty Years A-Growing (1987)

With Jim McCann

From Tara To Here (1987)
The Collection (2001)

With Patrick Street

Irish Times (1990)

With Eleanor McEvoy

Eleanor McEvoy (1993)

With Geraldine & Danny Doyle

Emigrant Eyes (1993)

With Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipeband

By the Waters Edge (1994)

With Maurice Dickson

Where Eagles Fly (1994)

With Townes Van Zandt

No Deeper Blue (1994)

With Bill Whelan

Riverdance: Music from the Show (1995)
Some Mother's Son (1996)
Roots of Riverdance (1997)
Riverdance 25th Anniversary: Music from the Show (2020)

With Ronnie Drew

Dirty Rotten Shame (1995)

With Anúna

Invocation (1996)

With Clannad

Lore (1996)

With Andy Irvine

Rain on the Roof (1996)
Way Out Yonder (2000)

With Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear Solid Original Game Soundtrack (1998)

With Máirín Fahy

Máirín (1998)

With Andrew White

Guitarra Celtica (1999)

With Michael Londra

Christopher (2001)
Celt (2006)

With Zoë Conway

Zoë Conway (2002)

With the Celtic Orchestra

Celtic Reflections (2002)

With Brian Kennedy

On Song (2003)

With Bryan Adams

Room Service (2004)

With Róisin Dempsey

Spirit Of An Irish Christmas (2005)

With Tommy Fleming

A Life Like Mine (2006)
The Best Is Yet to Come (2009)
Song for a Winter's Night (2009)

With Colin Farrell

Make a Note (2015)

With Patrick Mangan

The Frost is All Over (2020)

With other artists / Compilations

Irish Memories (1988)
Heart of the Gaels (1992)
Lament (1993)
Celtic Heartbeat Collection (1995)
Realta '96 (1996)
Celtic Twilight, Vol.4: Celtic Planet (1997)
Dance of the Celts (1997)
Celtic Treasure, Vol.2 (1998)
The Celtic Experience (2000)
Celtic Solstice (2002)
Celtica [Sony #1] (2002)
Dark Age of Camelot: A Musical Journey (2002)
Island Blues (2002)
Tranquility Gold (2002)
Ireland: Essential Guide (2009)

Film scores

The Irish RM (1983–1985)
Eat the Peach (1986)
The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)
Some Mother's Son (1996)

Declan Masterson facts for kids

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