Gary Quinn comes from Brierfield near Moylough in Co. Galway. He is a former
All-Ireland Champion Accordion player and has just recorded his debut solo
album “Keep her lit !!“. This features many well-known and respected
musicians, including Sean de Burca, Sean Regan, Steve Simmonds, Kieran
Quinn, Tom Giblin, Bruno Staehelin & Sinead Deely.

Gary was introduced to traditional music at a very early age - both of his
parents have always had a great love of traditional music and in particular
accordion music. Growing up, entertainment in the Quinn household was usually
live - from banjo to guitar to beautiful voices… and of course the accordion. The
whole family are gifted with great musical ability, although Gary has pursued
his talent more so than the others.

By 1989 Gary had won the all Ireland National PTAA accordion championship -
an achievement which brought great pride to his family, and also to his local
area. He still lives in Brierfield with his wife Jane and his 2 children who are
already, at ages 4 and 6, learning their own instruments and showing signs of
the family talent.

Gary (who has now reached the tender age of 38) has travelled all over the
world with his accordion. Along with his brother Kieran he travelled throughout
New Zealand in 1996, and introduced traditional Irish music to many new fans!!
As part of Ceoiltoírí Maghlocha in 1995 Gary travelled to North America,
Hawaii, Australia etc… This was an 11 week tour, organised by Mr Thomas
Mannion, where the musicans played a host of venues and delighted many an
audience with their enthusiastic and talented playing. One of Gary’s greatest
memories of this tour was playing the Sydney Opera House, to an audience of
over 6,500 people.

His most recent travelling experience was to Canada with Sean Keane in August
2007, where they played to audiences in five different cities.

Throughout his career, Gary has been influenced by some of the greats of
accordion playing, such as Joe Burke, Finbar Dwyer and Joe Cooley… but the
man has influenced Gary more than anyone would have to be Mairtín O’Connor.
The way in which Gary can instinctively back songs and melodies seems to have
come from Mairtín’s influence. Gary has known Mairtín for many years, and is
proud to say that Mairtín has contributed to his debut album, and he is hoping to
do justice to a couple of Mairtín’s compositions on the CD.

Gary has been playing the accordion at concert venues and pub venues
throughout the country for many years and for many years people have
wondered where they can pick up his album. Well the good news is that it has
finally been recorded…………