Andy Irvine has enjoyed a long and successful career as a traditional Irish musician. He has travelled the world as a solo artist and as a member of legendary Irish groups such as Planxty and Patrick Street and more recently Mozaik. Throughout his extensive career he has maintained and developed the qualities in his music, which endear him to his audience and fellow musicians alike. After his introduction to the world of touring with Sweeney’s Men in 1965, he continued to travel the world, leaving the band in 1968 to pursue his wanderlust. He travelled through Bulgaria, Romania and Yugoslavia, studying the music traditions and styles of these nations. It was these journeys, which led him to adopt the bouzouki in his performance. This new instrument allowed him to develop his own style while learning that of the Balkan countries he visited.

Ar fhilleadh dó ar Éirinn, bhunaigh Andy Planxty lena chomhcheoltóirí Christy Moore, Donal Lunny agus Liam O’ Flynn. Bhain Planxty rath mór agus stádas finscéalach amach ina dhiaidh sin, ag athbheochan an cheoil thraidisiúnta mar sheánra coitianta. Cé gur ghlac Planxty sos i 1967, thóg Andy an t-am chun píosa oibre eile a thaifeadadh le Paul Brady. Thaifead an bheirt albam clasaiceach le chéile, dar teideal simplí “Andy Irvine & Paul Brady”. Rinne Planxty athghrúpa ó 1979 – 1983. Nuair a scaoileadh an grúpa go buan, thosaigh Andy ar a ghairm bheatha aonair. Thaifead sé a chéad albam “Rainy Sundays…. windy dreams” go gairid ina dhiaidh sin. Ba é “Parallel Lines” a dhara halbam, albam dé-cheoil leis an dtrúbadúr mór Albanach, Dick Gaughan.