ITMA is delighted to present Drawing from the Well 2021 Episode 4, a video featuring the Dublin singer and instrumentalist Daoirí Farrell exploring the life and songs of Kathleen Behan (1889–1984).

Best known as the mother of playwright Brendan Behan, and singer, song writer Dominic Behan, Kathleen Behan (née Kearney) came from a family rich in song, and the traditions of Dublin. She lived through the Easter Rising of 1916 and carried with her a vibrant spirit which she passed on to her children.

Daoirí Farrell has been described by some of the biggest names in Irish music as one of most important singers to come out of Ireland in recent years.. After studying traditional music in a number of Irish colleges where he was introduced to the singing of Liam Weldon and subsequently working with many prominent Irish artists, Daoirí launched his own solo live career at Celtic Connections, in 2016. Later that year he released ‘True Born Irishman’ which won two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards – he performed with a six piece line-up at the awards ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

He has since performed extensively internationally while his last recording ‘A Lifetime Of Happiness’ was produced by Dónal Lunny and released in 2019.