Declan Masterson

Dublin-born multi-instrumentalist Declan Masterson channeled his uilleann pipes and whistle into the propulsive drive of Celtic rock outfit Moving Hearts throughout the mid-'80s, later supplying the same instrumental voice to the more-traditional Irish ensemble Patrick Street during the early '90s. Masterson has since issued three solo albums that spotlight his technical command—Drifting Through the Hazel Woods, End of the Harvest, and Fairwater. He has also shared stages and sessions with Christy Moore, Planxty, John Denver, the London Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, and U2’s Bono. Several projects helmed by Bill Whelan have featured Masterson’s contributions; these include a United Kingdom tour with the composer’s Riverdance spectacle as well as soundtrack work on the films Some Mother’s Son (1996) and People of the Sea (1997). Additional film scores bearing his playing are In the Name of the Father (1993) and The Secret of Roan Inish (1994).