The Full Irish Bio
Ceol agus Craic
The Full Irish bring the Irish pub session to the stage. Their performance ranges from powerful up-tempo songs to haunting ballads steeped with the earthy sound of their Irish roots.
Storytellers, protesters, and performers, The Full Irish possess a catalogue of traditional Irish folk songs and tunes, as well a large selection of contemporary Irish music and original songs. Our repertoire comprises of music from Ireland, Australia, UK, Canada, America, and all points in between.
“These guys can deliver an up-tempo lively sound and then drop it down to a haunting melody, steeped with their earthly Celtic roots! They perform music with a seamless blending of influences as diverse as The Dubliners, The Pogue’s, Christy Moore, Eric Bogle, Thin Lizzy, Snow Patrol, U2 and not forgetting The Rubber bandits!"
The band was formed as a duo in 2019 when Sullie and Quinner joined forces. They had been playing together at the Irish Session in the Fiddler in Rouse Hill regularly. They have been joined by Owen Watson on vocals, accordion, and whistle.
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Band Members Bios
Sullie
Sullie is from Co Mayo in Ireland. He has played music ever since the 80’s as a solo artist, in a band, or in traditional Irish folk sessions.
Sullie is a multi-instrumentalist whose primary instrument is the guitar. He is a lead vocalist and sings a wide range of musical styles. Sullie also plays the bass guitar, with a little bouzouki, mandolin, banjo, and tin whistle.
Sullie has appeared with the late Henry McCullough (Joe Cocker Band & Wings), supported Tommy Emmanuel. He has played in Irish music sessions with some of Ireland top traditional and folk players, Johnny Moynihan, (Sweeneys Men, Planxty, De Dannan, Fleah Cowboys) Clive Collins (Fiddle on Christy Moore – Prosperous 1972) and Vinnie Kilduff (In Tua Nua) as well as Australian sessions with artists such as Shane Howard (Goanna).
Quinner
Quinner grew up in Dublin’s liberties in a pub (Quinn’s) on Hell’s Corner as it was colloquially known! It was only a short walk from the Guinness brewery and from his bedroom above the pub you could smell the hops being roasted! He cannot remember a time where music was not an integral part of his life! He got to listen to the legendary band The Wolf Tones, up close and personal, as they used to sing in the “back room” of the bar during many a “lock-in” Being an established session pub there was always music and musicians dropping in.
From a young age Quinner has been singing in the sean-nós singing tradition (a cappella). “You couldn’t get away from the music and it was always around us as my mother was a trained opera singer from Galway and my father was a fine session singer from just outside Dungannon, Co. Tyrone who used to MC the sessions upstairs in the Pub”
Padraig is a vocalist who plays bodran, cajon and guitar. He also hosts a weekly radio show “Tales from the High Stool” on 2rrr radio in Sydney with a focus on traditional, folk, blues and world music.
He has interviewed numerous musicians from Australia, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Scandinavia. “I was delighted when talking to Mary Black last March when she advised me that her Father (renowned Ratlin Island fiddler player) spoke fondly of taking her Mum to the sessions in Quinn’s when they were just dating!” When I think back, I realise that music has always been a big part of our family and its basically in my DNA!
Owen Watson
Owen has been playing music for as long as anyone can remember! He is a classically trained in piano but found grand piano’s too cumbersome to take to session’s so he took up the accordion to compliment his amazing whistle playing.
Owen is a renowned vocalist and has been a regular at The Fiddler Sessions for the last 7 years! He started out professionally during a brief stint with Sydney Band, The Flying Seamen! He has played on numerous festival stages around NSW and has sat in on sessions during trips to Ireland as well as playing at many of the sessions around Sydney’s Irish venues.
This exposure led him to be invited to join Sydney band, Medusa’s Wake! His work on their album did not go unnoticed and his distinctive style was a major factor in their single “War of Independence” gaining critical acclaim and a lot of radio exposure!
But the pandemic prevented the band from touring and Owen was jumped on board with The Full Irish having played with them on numerous occasions during gigs, sessions & music festivals.