MUSIC Don Stiffe to play in Matt Molloy’s

Don Stiffe to play in Matt Molloy’s


Henry McGlade

Don Stiffe, one of the most talented singer/songwriters to emerge on the Irish folk scene in recent years, will play in Matt Molloy’s, Westport, this Thursday night, March 29.
Stiffe’s award winning debut solo album, ‘Start of a Dream’, was released in 2006 to critical acclaim, while his version of the ‘Dimming of the Day’, by Richard Thompson, won Vocal Cut of the Year at the Live Ireland 2010 awards. Frankie Gavin, Sharon Shannon, Arty McGlynn, Cathal Hayden and Carol Hession are among the musicians to feature on the album, which contains four songs penned by Stiffe himself – ‘Missing Galway’, ‘Grosse Isle’, ‘The Returning’ and ‘The Banks of the Danube’.
During the ’90s Stiffe was very involved in the folk scene in Boston, where he lived. He was also a regular visitor to St Louis, where he spent time in the company of the legendary accordian player Joe Burke, who described Stiffe as ‘The Bard of Bohermore’.
Many people on these shores first encountered Stiffe when he played at the 2009 The Volvo Ocean Race in his native Galway. In one of the biggest nights of the event, he played for a 50,000-strong crowd, appearing along side artists Sharon Shannon and The Saw Doctors.
Last year was a year to remember for Stiffe, as he was one of the finalists in The All Ireland Talent Show, one of Ireland’s most-watched TV shows. He has since toured with Irish-American band Cherish The Ladies in Ireland, Scotland and the USA.
In December 2011, Stiffe released his second album ‘Life’s Journey’. One of the tracks,  ‘Somebody Special’, was recently named Song of the Year at the Live Ireland awards. This year will see Don Stiffe touring Ireland and overseas. He will also guest with the Kilfenora Céilí Band as a follow- up to his appearance on their new album, which will be released later this year.