The High Kings, established in 2008 in Dublin, is an acclaimed Irish folk ensemble. The group’s lineup comprises Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden, and Paul O’Brien.
By 2020, they had unveiled five studio albums, four live albums, two live DVDs, and a notable greatest hits album. Impressively, their initial three studio albums achieved positions of third or higher on the Billboard world music chart. The first two even secured platinum status in Ireland. Notably, all their albums found placement on Irish music charts.
Following their inaugural album’s launch, the collective transitioned from a heavily staged approach to a more organic performance style. Their third release, “Friends for Life,” exhibits a mix of traditional Irish tunes and original compositions. Throughout their journey, The High Kings have graced audiences across Ireland, the United States, and Europe. While rooted in traditional Irish music, their repertoire extends to encompass reimagined versions of songs from diverse genres.
Finbarr Clancy’s musical journey traces back to the 1990s, when he toured the United States and Ireland with the esteemed Clancy Brothers, a prominent fixture in Irish traditional music. Within the group, which then featured Finbarr’s father Bobby Clancy, uncles Paddy and Liam Clancy, and cousin Robbie O’Connell, he showcased his talents on vocals, 5-string banjo, electric bass, and flute. Notably, Finbarr’s presence was captured in the Clancy Brothers’ filmed “Farewell to Ireland” performance, subsequently released on DVD. His collaboration extended to three albums with his father. In his role with The High Kings, he predominantly handles guitar duties, occasionally venturing onto the banjo.
Brian Dunphy’s initial spotlight came from his participation in “Riverdance: The Show.” Following this experience, he joined The Three Irish Tenors. Prior to this, he contributed to the band Druid. His solo endeavor, the album “Timeless,” featured collaborative work with Darren Holden on original compositions. Brian’s lineage includes his father, Sean Dunphy, who represented Ireland in the 1967 Eurovision Song Contest. His roles within The High Kings encompass playing the bodhrán and guitar.
A pivotal moment in Darren Holden’s career was his 18-month tenure in “Riverdance: The Show” on Broadway. Subsequently, he excelled in the Broadway musical “Movin’ Out.” This journey involved portraying Billy Joel on both Broadway and a U.S. national tour from January 2004 to January 2007. Additionally, he embarked on tours across Canada and Japan in 2006. Darren’s solo pursuits yielded three triumphant albums. “Suddenly,” launched in 1998, yielded three top 20 singles in Ireland and one in Finland.
His United States release “Live and Learn” (March 2003) achieved three top 40 airplay hits on country music charts. The subsequent “Roadworks” (2006) found success in Japan with 20,000 copies sold. His instrumental versatility within The High Kings extends to the accordion, mandolin, guitar, and keyboard. Despite group commitments, he also continues to captivate audiences with solo performances.