The Irish Descendants

Formed in 1990 across Northeastern Canada, the Irish Descendants built a devoted audience both domestically and abroad through their high-energy reels, introspective ballads, and spontaneous wit. Their lively first recording, Misty Morning Shore, appeared in 1991 and quickly earned regional praise, securing a deal with Warner Music that yielded the follow-up Look to the Sea two years later. Gypsies and Lovers reached listeners in 1996, the same year the group captured a Juno Award and the Entertainers of the Year prize at the East Coast Music Awards. Extensive touring filled the remainder of the decade, accompanied by multiple compilation releases and one Christmas collection. Across the Water surfaced in 2004 via New York’s Kells Records, while Southern Shore arrived in 2007 under the production of Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle. The present roster features vocalist/guitarist Con O’Brien, Glenn Hiscock handling fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and vocals, Graham Wells on accordion, tin whistle, bodhran, and vocals, Mike Hanrahan covering banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, guitar, and lead vocals, plus Paul Hiscock on bass and vocals.