Like hounds of the Boyne, two local musicians are about to unleash a groundbreaking new work. Dabilla, who take their name from the goddess Boann’s faithful dog, are launching their new album Brú on February 3rd.
The pair, guitarist Oisin Dillon from Bettystown, and uilleann piper Darragh Ó’Héiligh from Marian Park, are known for their exciting blend of traditional music with contemporary sounds.
“We love playing both, so we’ve spent the last year honing a sound that bridges the gap between the two”, Oisin Dillon explained.
Their debut album Brú fearlessly fuses elements from jazz, punk and electronic dance music with timeless traditional Irish classics. It will be launched at the Dublin music venue The Celt on Talbot Street, Saturday, February 3rd.
“Our aim is to transcend musical genres, embracing the essence of Irish tradition but playing it with a thoroughly modern twist,” said Darragh.
An internationally recognized multi-instrumentalist, Darragh is celebrated as one of the country’s foremost Uilleann Pipers, with Oisin bringing a wealth of talent to the duo as singer, guitarist and composer.
Playing every week at venues in Dublin and Louth, Dabilla has garnered a reputation for creating captivating, high energy performances that resonate with diverse audiences.
Both young men are steeped in the locality and its traditional music. “We grew up on the banks of the Boyne and choose our name from the faithful dog owned by the goddess Boann,” said Darragh.
Originally from Drogheda’s Thomas Street, Darragh’s family have been involved in local musical groups since the early 1900’s. He first picked up the uilleann pipes at the tender age of seven under the mentorship of renowned piper Mick O’Brien.
As a child Oisin fondly remembers attending traditional music sessions with his parents in Carberry’s Pub on Sunday mornings.
“I learned the tin whistle as a young child but by age 11 I wanted to play guitar, so I took lessons in the Sound Shop.”
Dabilla’s abundance of talent, experience and love of music has all come together in Brú which is available for streaming on all major platforms.
Locally Dabilla can be enjoyed live with gigs in Duende, Southgate, Drogheda on Friday, 26th January, The Becks, Garristown on Saturday, 27th January and The Punt, Drogheda on Sunday, 18th February.
Though they grew up in the same town the two musicians only began playing together when they met on Dublin’s traditional music circuit.
“We are launching Brú in The Celt as that’s where it all began and we’re looking forward to seeing lots of Drogheda faces there on February 3rd,” said Darragh.
