Yvonne Casey

Yvonne Casey is one of Co. Clare’s most distinctive fiddle players. She grew up surrounded by the richness of Clare music and plays in a very unique soulful style. Sitting in sessions from a very young age she discovered the joys of Doolin as a teen, where she met and played with legendary musicians such as Kevin Griffin and Eoin O’ Neill. In the 1990’s the band The Ceili Bandits was formed, Yvonne recorded two CDs with them and toured Europe and the U.S.A. She also recorded her first solo CD in 2004. 

Since then Yvonne has created her own music school in Co. Clare, and performs and teaches at various festivals at home, abroad and online. In 2018 Yvonne released her second solo CD entitled “Croí’ (Heart) which includes many of her own new compositions. 

Some of her compositions are showcased in the Irish Traditional Music Archives in Dublin as part of a series called Saothar.  Her recent collaboration with accordion wizard Dermot Byrne from Donegal is charming audiences with their fresh new sound, and in December 2021 they released an all new compositional album entitled “As we feel it”.

She has shared the stage with many great musicians including Frankie Gavin, Paddy Keenan, Josephine Marsh, Luka Bloom, Mary Custy and Steve Cooney to name a few.

Past performances include Willie Clancy Summer School, Feakle Festival, Doolin Folk Fest, Riches of Clare, Lorient Fest, Masters of Tradition, Johnny Doherty Fest, Cork Folk Fest, Tional Pipe and Fiddle weekend NY, O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat in Texas, Irish Music Festival Anchorage in Alaska and Milwaukee Irish Music Fest.

“ Her playing is a truly authentic expression of the fiddle music of Clare and south east Galway. The style she plays in is intimate, warm and inviting. Feeling is at the very core of her music.”   …… Martin Hayes.