About Liam

Liam Kelly grew up in Sligo Town and is a founding member of the band Dervish. He began playing traditional Irish music at the young age of 8 starting on the tin whistle at school and a couple of years later was taught by Carmel Gunning.He also played the accordion and was taught by the great Alfie Dineen. He then began to play flute at the age of 16 and went on to play in a group called Poitin who appeared on the Late Late Show after winning a talent competition where the Late Late appearance was the prize. 

Dervish then formed at the All Ireland Fleadh in 1989 after which they have gone on to produce 14 albums along with touring all over the world celebrating 32 years in the music business.
He also has a solo cd called Sweetwood released in 2010 which was named after the Townland where his Father came from. Liam also released a duet album with Sligo Fiddler Philip Duffy in 2015 called Sets in Stone and released a new John McKenna tribute album in 2021 playing one of the flutes that John McKenna used back in the 1920’s

The cd was launched at John McKenna’s house in July 2021 and can be viewed here 

About Liam

Liam Kelly is a native of Sligo and now lives in Dromahair, County Leitrim. Liam is a founding member of the band Dervish. He began playing traditional Irish music at the young age of 8 starting on the tin whistle, He also played the accordion and later switched to the flute, mainly learning from local player, Carmel Gunning.

Latest Album – Sweetwood

“His genteel, unforced musical style epitomises the man’s self-effacing demeanour, and maybe it’s that diffidence that kept him from stepping out into the light on his own for so long.”

The Irish Times – Read Full Article

“A well-named recording, and one which is a fine addition to the esteemed canon of Connacht flute playing.”

The Journal of Music  – Read Full Article