Niamh Parsons

Niamh Parsons has come to be known as one of the most distinctive voices in Irish music. Her voice has drawn comparisons to such venerated singers as Dolores Keane, June Tabor and Sandy Denny.

It has been said that Niamh Parsons may not be the most famous Irish Balladeer, but many feel she's the best. Described in the Boston Herald as both emotionally haunting and tonally as clear as crystal, Niamh's albums have been 'must-have' collector's items for any lover of songs and singing. Niamh has recorded six studio albums and one live album to date. For the last 9 years, Niamh has been playing in a duet with Ennis-based Graham Dunne—there is a spiritual bond between Niamh and Graham when they perform, which draws out the essence of the songs.

Niamh started with Killera, '86 - '89 featuring Cian O'Sullivan, Máire Breatnach, Sean Howley, Steve Cooney, Cormac Breathnach among others. In 1990 Niamh was joined by her then husband Dee Moore and the Loose Connections, making 2 albums, Loosely Connected and Loosen Up. Also working with Arcady at the same time, Niamh is featured on 'Many Happy Returns' 1995. Turning solo in 1999 with 'Blackbirds and Thrushes', Niamh teamed up with her present partner, Graham Dunne, www.myspace.com/grahamdunne - and recorded 4 more cds, 'In My Prime', 'Heart's Desire', 'Live at Fylde' and 'The Old Simplicity'

Throughout her career, Niamh has performed with a wide variety of artists, and has appeared at nearly every prestigious folk festival on either side of the Atlantic. As a member of the traditional Irish band Arcady (led by De Dannan's Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh), she sang on their Shanachie recording Many Happy Returns. She appeared before President Clinton and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern in Capitol Hill, Washington, joined Grammy Award winner Paul Winter for an album and a summer concert in New York, and performed on "A Prairie Home Companion" when the show broadcast live from Dublin.