Irish songwriter, guitarist and singer Gerry O’Beirne was born in Ennis in County Clare and raised in the West of Ireland and in Ghana in West Africa. Gerry is not only a self-taught master of the six and twelve string guitar, he is also a renowned songwriter. His music takes it’s influences from old and new music and poetry.

Several of his songs have been covered by artists on the Irish music scene. Maura O’Connell recorded Half Moon Bay on her album Stories as well as Western Highway, Shades of Gloria and The Isle of Malachy. Mary Black recorded The Holy Ground and named her CD after it. Cathie Ryan recorded Shades of Gloria and The Lights of San Francisco.

His first and long awaited solo album Half Moon Bay is receiving much deserved critical acclaim, and features his own compelling performances of his songs, as well as his beautiful instrumental music. His songs tell of a yearning for home, romantic love, and the spiritual qualities of place. Gerry has called many places home (Ireland, Africa, England, California, Mexico), but after listening to his music, it is clear that ‘home’ is anywhere he can sit with his twelve string guitar and play.

It was while working for a book publisher in London that Gerry bought his first guitar. He soon returned to Ireland and became involved in traditional Irish music.

His own writing is a hybrid of the passion found in traditional music and the freshness of contemporary song.

Gerry O’Beirne has toured around the globe with several bands and artists including Patrick Street, The Sharon Shannon Band, Midnight Well (which featured his unique slide guitar playing), The Waterboys, Andy M Stewart, Martin Hayes, Kevin Burke and Andy Irvine.

He has performed at the White House, opened for the Grateful Dead, and played electric guitar with Marianne Faithfull. As a producer Gerry has a large number of albums to his credit including Promenade for Kevin Burke and Micheal O’Dhomhnaill (winner of the Grand Prix Du Disque at Montreux), Irish Times by Patrick Street, Man In The Moon and Donegal Rain by Andy M Stewart, First Footing by Anam, The Connaughtman’s Rambles by Martin O’Connor, Up Close by Kevin Burke, Lifting The Veil by Fiona Joyce, To Anyone At All by Clandestine, Fine Small Storm by Jen Hamel and many more.

Gerry’s album was chosen as one of the best 12 independent releases of last year by Performing Songwriter magazine, who featured him in an article and interview in their May 2000 issue, and the album was also chosen as one of Folkworld’s top ten albums of the year. This year he will be touring in Holland, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.