Denis Ryan (singer)
Encyclopedia
Denis Ryan is an Irish-Canadian folk musician, best known as a member of the popular Irish-Newfoundland band trio Ryan's Fancy
, and as a singer and tin whistle
player.
,Co.Tipperary, Ireland
. He emigrated to Canada
in the 1960s.
In 1971, with Fergus O'Byrne
and Dermot O'Reilly
he formed the folk band Ryan's Fancy
.
In 1983 the group disbanded and Denis moved to Halifax, Canada where he became employed in the investment business.
However he remained in music, releasing two solo albums and hosting the CBC Television show "Up on the Roof"
In 1994 he received an Honorary degree, Doctor of Letters, from St. Mary's University in Halifax.
Over the years he has given a lot of his time acting as emcee for many charitable functions.
And he continues to help create awareness and fund raising for organisations such as the D'Arcy McGee Chair of Irish Studies at St. Mary's University.
His latest recording was "Newport Town" with his first cousin
Denis Carey.
Ryan's Fancy
Ryan’s Fancy was a musical group active from the 1960s until the 1980s, all three of whose members were Irish immigrants to Canada.-Early years:...
, and as a singer and tin whistle
Tin whistle
The tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, English Flageolet, Scottish penny whistle, Tin Flageolet, Irish whistle and Clarke London Flageolet is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is an end blown fipple flute, putting it in the same category as the recorder, American Indian flute, and...
player.
Biography
Denis was born in NewportNewport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
,Co.Tipperary, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. He emigrated to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in the 1960s.
In 1971, with Fergus O'Byrne
Fergus O'Byrne
Fergus O'Byrne is an Irish-Canadian folk musician, best known as a member of the popular Irish-Newfoundland band trio Ryan's Fancy, and as a banjo, concertina and bodhrán player.-Biography:O'Byrne was born in Dublin, Ireland...
and Dermot O'Reilly
Dermot O'Reilly
Dermot Anthony O'Reilly was an Irish-born Canadian musician, producer and songwriter....
he formed the folk band Ryan's Fancy
Ryan's Fancy
Ryan’s Fancy was a musical group active from the 1960s until the 1980s, all three of whose members were Irish immigrants to Canada.-Early years:...
.
In 1983 the group disbanded and Denis moved to Halifax, Canada where he became employed in the investment business.
However he remained in music, releasing two solo albums and hosting the CBC Television show "Up on the Roof"
In 1994 he received an Honorary degree, Doctor of Letters, from St. Mary's University in Halifax.
Over the years he has given a lot of his time acting as emcee for many charitable functions.
And he continues to help create awareness and fund raising for organisations such as the D'Arcy McGee Chair of Irish Studies at St. Mary's University.
His latest recording was "Newport Town" with his first cousin
Cousin
In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...
Denis Carey.
Solo discography
- Mist Covered Mountains
- Here and There
- Let Me Fish Off Cape St.Mary's
- Newport Town with Denis Carey.