Leo O'Kelly (Tír na nÓg) + Support from The Velvet Tide - Live at Walters

Leo O'Kelly is an Irish singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. He is the co-founder of the Irish folk duo Tír na nÓg (The land of eternal youth), one of the leading lights of the early 1970s folk scene who are considered one of the founding fathers of the Progressive Folk genre.

In 1969, Leo, as a solo artist, started playing the folk clubs in Dublin. At the same time, Sonny Condell was treading a similar route in the very same city. Musicians were criss-crossing the city, playing their respective gigs as well as seeing their peers perform. Both Sonny and Leo were beginning to independently harbour desires to move to London as singer-songwriters. It was by chance that they found themselves chatting to each other and realising that they shared that same ambition. Tír na nÓg was born. Very soon, Tír na nÓg had a new demo tape in their hands and caught the ear of Chrysalis Records. Only two weeks had elapsed since leaving Ireland – and the next stage of Tír na nÓg’s odyssey was about to unfolld. Tír na nÓg immediately started playing the folk clubs in London where they built up a very strong following with their timeless songs, close harmonies and engaging, between-song, banter and not long after their departure The Royal Albert Hall with Jethro Tull as part of a British and European tour. Over the ensuing years, as well as headlining Tír na nÓg gigs (with some interesting support acts including Richard and Linda Thompson, Supertramp, and Jasper Carrott!), the pair found themselves gigging with some of their own heroes – Procul Harum, The Who, Cat Stevens, T. Rex, Roxy Music, Elton John, The Velvet Underground and Hawkwind, to mention a very few.

A few months later Tír na nÓg released their first album – namely ‘Tír na nÓg ’. This was recorded at Livingstone Studios in Barnet and was produced by the legendary folk producer, Bill Leader. Melody Maker immediately recognised it as an album of great worth and made it ‘Album of the Month’. Many radio sessions with the late, wonderful, John Peel followed, along with Bob Harris and Kid Jensen shows – and even the great Alan Freeman was a self-proclaimed fan. After a strong debut and a sustained period of gigging, Leo and Sonny were ready to commit a new batch of songs to vinyl. The recording of these songs took place in Willesden at Morgan Studios.Eventually, the songs were all completed, with help from Larry Steele and Barry de Souza on additional instruments, and ‘A Tear and a Smile’ was released in 1972. This collection of ten songs enhanced their growing reputation and, as with the first album, they were individually written by Leo and Sonny but delivered in unison as Tír na nÓg.

Their third album, ‘Strong in the Sun’, was released in late 1973 with Matthew Fisher (producing the album) providing keyboards and featured one of the earliest examples of sampling and the overall production displayed their evolving musicianship. Their headline live shows continued in the folk clubs and the colleges as well as supporting even more groups – The Who and Emerson, Lake & Palmer adding to their list. At the same time, John Peel continued to champion their cause with several sessions, with Leo and Sonny now showcasing songs from their third album. In 1972, before the ‘Strong in the Sun’ era, Bob Harris presented an ‘In Concert’ programme with Tir na nOg supporting Roxy Music at the Paris Theatre, Regent Street, London. This recording is featured on the 2001 CD, ‘Spotlight’ with songs from later Peel Sessions. ‘Los Angeles’, ‘Backwaterawhile’ and ‘Spotlight’, songs not recorded in a studio by Tír na nÓg, were part of this repertoire.

After a punishing schedule of live appearances, together with an indifference shown by their record company, Chrysalis, the duo returned to Ireland and went their separate ways ….. for a few years at least however they have occasionally reformed over the years.

Leo continued to perform, but now as a solo artist featuring special guests. During the same period, Sonny started his solo career, as well as forming a four-piece band, Scullion, with his friend Philip King. Solo albums (‘Camouflage’, ‘Someone to Dance With’, ‘French Windows’ and ‘Backwater Awhile’) and Scullion albums followed over the ensuing years all the way to the present time. Scullion are, at present, a three-piece band (Condell, King and Robbie Overson)

Don't miss your chance to catch Leo O'Kelly performing the music of Tír na nÓg as well as solo material this January at Walters venue Dún laoghaire for a very special matinee show as part of Tradfest 2026 + support from special guests/ alt-folkers The Velvet Tide.

The Velvet Tide explore a spectrum of musical directions and genres, their sound is primarily characterized as indie-folk. The band distinguishes itself through a blend of traditional and modern instrumentation creating a distinctive and original sonic signature.
They have released 4 singles to date: 'Porcelain World', 'Just the Way It Goes' and 'Ghost in the Water' followed by the 2024 release 'Your Losing Hand".

DOORS 1.30PM / MUSIC STARTS 2PM - Limited Tickets - Early Booking advised*

Tradfest is proudly supported by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

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