Based in Galway, Galvian Way is an exciting collaboration between six musicians who are long-time friends. Seosamh Ó Fátharta (accordion), Maidhc Ó hÉanaigh (flute) and Mick Clancy (bouzouki) had been performing together as Cogar for over twenty years,
with their first performances around Galway in the famous Tigh Hughes and Taafes. They were regularly joined by their close friend Paul McClure (bodhrán) when touring in Ireland and on the continent in Europe. The four joined forces with West Clare fiddler, Ger Clancy, and Tyrone virtuoso mandolinist, Declan Corey (who have been performing together for over a decade) in the summer of 2022, for a commemorative concert celebrating the twinning of Lorient and Galway. It quickly became apparent that this eclectic fusion of styles –Connemara, Clare and Ulster– gave birth to something special, with the result being energetic, dynamic and contemporary Irish music. The band’s performances have since been received to great acclaim. They have performed nationally and internationally, including at the famous Festival Interceltique de Lorient in both 2023 and 2024 becoming the first Irish band in over two decades to take home the coveted Loic Raison Award in 2023. The band’s name derives from ‘Galvia’, the mythical daughter of King Breasal: she is said to have drowned in the local river that gave the town its name. The ‘Galvian Way’ signifies the Galway way of life, which has at its centre the love of culture, the Irish language, music, the arts, food, good company and a general joie de vivre.