Meet our Musicians- Vincent Fogarty
Nestled on the rugged west coast of Ireland, Doolin is a picturesque village renowned for its vibrant traditional music scene. This small enclave in County Clare has earned a reputation as a musical epicenter, drawing enthusiasts and musicians from around the world. Steeped in rich cultural heritage, Doolin’s pubs come alive with the sound of fiddles, flutes, and bodhráns, creating an atmosphere that is as enchanting as it is authentic.
Here at Doolin Tourism, we are delighted to bring you the sixth in our series of “Meet the Musicians”. A glimpse into the world of some of our best loved artists that play music in Doolin. The local musicians of Doolin are the custodians of our treasured music tradition, ensuring that the soul of Irish music thrives in every corner of the village. Our next musician is Vincent Fogarty.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Vincent Fogarty and I play bouzouki. I’m from Tipperary but I live in Corofin Co Clare.
How did you get into playing Irish Traditional Music?
When I was a teenager I wanted to be a rock guitarist and I was into blues and rock etc. I was also exploring players like Robert Johnson and others in the slide scene. I ran into a guy who was part of the new age traveler community that left England and corporate culture to live a more independent lifestyle and he was a very good acoustic guitar player. Lots of finger style picking and slide playing. He suggested I sit in on a trad session and after that I got hooked. I then had a friend bring me to Doolin in 93 and that changed everything. Two years later I moved to Doolin in December.
Which musicians have influenced you the most?
Cyril O’Donoghue, Eoin O’Neill, Ian Lambe, Pat Marsh all the accompanists that were playing around Doolin from 93 until 98 really.
How long have you been playing in Doolin and where do you usually play in the village?
I started playing in O’Connors in the spring of 96 with Michelle Banjo. We were mad for tunes. I stopped playing there in 98 as I moved away. I moved back to Clare in 2017 and started playing again in McGanns and McDermotts. Now I’m playing in McGanns the fiddle and Bow and sometimes Fitz’s.
What makes Doolin so special in your opinion?
The musicians. The musicians there have a great love of the music and they share it willingly with anyone who takes an interest. Doolin also has its own music that is being respected by some of the newer musicians and that is very special in my opinion as it insures that the style and settings of that tradition is kept alive.
Can you share a special musical memory associated with Doolin?
I’d have to change the names to protect the innocent. It’s not a musical memory but I remember one afternoon sitting outside O’Connors pub and looking across the field at the road that leads up to Doonagore castle and noticing a huge line of cars and caravans slowly making their way down the hill, I mean walking slow. When they got to the bottom I could see the cause of the issue. Gus Russell on his Honda 50 had created a huge line of traffic behind himself.
Thank you so much to Vincent for joining us on meet the musicians- be sure to say hello to him the next time you see Vincent gigging in Doolin!
Read Next: 9 Travel Tips for Planning an Adventure to Doolin
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