Waxies Dargle

Waxies Dargle emerged among the numerous traditional Celtic folk ensembles that rose through London's Irish pub scene. Dubliner Gerry Heaney established the group, drawing its name from the well-known Irish drinking song that recounts an early-20th-century fair called "the Waxies Dargle," staged by tailors from the coastal town of Bray. Shortly after surfacing in the London circuit, the ensemble built a loyal audience through energetic performances that mixed familiar Irish standards, original material, contemporary folk interpretations, and traditional North American tunes. The group characterizes itself as "two parts Dubliner and one part old Dublin City Ramblers." In 1993 the act secured a recording contract with Brambus Records and issued its debut album, World Tour of Ireland. Backed by the Switzerland-based independent label, Waxies Dargle expanded its reach by performing across Europe. The follow-up Brambus release, Paddy Ryan's Dream, appeared in 1995. Heaney has witnessed constant personnel turnover throughout the band's existence. The 1997 album After the Gael featured a four-piece lineup of Heaney on vocals, guitar, and bodhran, Mike Franks on fiddle, banjo, harmonica, and vocals, Susannah Healy on backing vocals and fiddle, and Roland Humphries on bass and backing vocals. By 1999 the configuration had shifted once more, as singer and fiddler Bernie O'Sullivan rejoined in place of Franks and Healy. Heaney later relocated to London, where the band maintains a following in local pubs between European tours.