Caroline and Tom both grew up in houses filled with traditional music. From a young age, Caroline was exposed to the richness of West Limerick and Sliabh Luachra traditional music, an influence which has become the cornerstone of her uniquely vibrant, passionate and emotive style of concertina playing. With an Irish father and French mother, Tom gained his musicality through osmosis, born and raised in a rich environment of Irish music. Inspired by the traveling style of piping, his rhythmic playing is powerful and daring.
Since they began playing together in 2010, while both studying at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. Tom and Caroline have toured extensively, performing around Europe, Canada, America and Australasia. Their music reflects their personalities, fun, vibrant and filled with heart and soul.
Previous performances include:
Woodford Folk Festival, AUSTRALIA, Auckland Folk Festival, NEW ZEALAND, Dublin Irish Festival, Ohio, USA, The Celtic Roots Festival, Ontario, CANADA, Le Bono Winter School, Brittany, FRANCE, The Salmon Leap Festival, Leixlip, IRELAND, The Doolin Folk Festival, Clare, IRELAND Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Sligo IRELAND
Their touring schedules have also included extensive tours of France, and Canada, performing and teaching Irish traditional music. On a local level, Tom and Caroline are both prominent musicians in Dingle, Co. Kerry, where they live and perform regularly. They have released a duet album “Never Say Goodbye, Say Good Luck” which has already received critical acclaim.
Tom Delany is an accomplished uilleann piper and whistle player from Dingle, County Kerry, known for his vibrant and daring style. Raised in France by an Irish father, Delany developed an early passion for Irish traditional music, inspired by legends like Johnny Doran and Paddy Keenan. His distinct sound embodies both the rich traditions and the innovative spirit of Irish folk music. He began playing the pipes at 13 and has since performed worldwide, from New Zealand to the United States, captivating audiences with what Irish Music Magazine calls his “forever ageless” piping.
Alongside the pipes and whistles, Tom is also proficient on guitar and bouzouki, adding versatility to his repertoire and making him an in-demand arranger, producer, and collaborator. Delany has performed with some of Ireland’s leading musicians, including Paddy Keenan, Matt Molloy, and Davy Spillane, and in 2024, he joined Grammy-winner Kacey Musgraves on her world tour.
His 2023 debut solo album, The Lark’s Call, received critical acclaim for its authenticity and traditional purity, with Folking.com highlighting his arrangements for their thoughtful,
Caroline was, from a young age, exposed to the richness of West Limerick and Sliabh Luachra traditional music, an influence which has become the cornerstone of her uniquely vibrant, passionate and emotive style of concertina playing. Now having toured extensively throughout Europe, Canada and America, performing at festivals such as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, Celtic Colours and Le Bono Winter School in both solo and ensemble capacities, Caroline is truly a world musician.
At the age of seven, Caroline began taking tin whistle lessons at her local Comhaltas branch, and soon afterwards progressed on to concertina. Under the guidance of her teacher, Noel Hill, she developed proficiency in her art, and by fifteen, was performing both nationally and internationally.
In 2006, Caroline was awarded the prestigious Lán Mara award, in recognition of outstanding achievement in national music examinations. In 2008 Caroline began studying at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, where she received a BA in Irish Music and Dance with first class honours after graduating in 2011.
In addition to her TTCT diploma in Irish traditional music teaching, Caroline also completed a Professional Diploma in Music Education in 2012. Her versed approach to tutelage is not only a testament to her musical expertise, but demonstrates the patience and empathy of experience. She is a regular performer and tutor at Irish, roots and folk music festivals all over the world, and teaches and performs regularly around the South West of Ireland.
Caroline currently lives in Dingle, Co. Kerry, where she performs and teaches regularly.