Darren Breslin and Tad Sargent

Darren Breslin

Darren is a native of Lisnaskea, county Fermanagh. He has been playing music from the tender age of eight, when his feet could barely touch the ground. As a young lad, he took a strong interest in local players and fell under the spell of Sean Nugent from Fermanagh and Sean McCusker from Tyrone. As well as these two gentlemen, one of the strongest influneces in Darren’s music has been his grandfather, and best friend, Brian.

Darren has become a Comhaltas favourite at fleadhs everywhere. He was a featured artist on RTE’s radio series, “Bloom of Youth”. His unique musical style has been heard from the Fermanagh Hills to venues and audiences across Ireland and the British Isles. Darren now resides in London. He has won numerous county Fleadheanna and collected over twelve gold provincial fleadh medals on his journey to winning the Senior All-Ireland button accordion competition in Tullamore, Co. Offaly in August 2008.

Darren’s debut CD, recorded in October 2008, delivers straight from the heart, “Pulsating, heart stopping reels and jigs. Darren Breslin’s music demands an audience remain seated – simply exhilarating” (Ballyshannon Folk Festival).

Tad Sargent

Tad Sargent was introduced to Irish music by his parents at a young age. He started on the piano, moving on to the bodhran and the bouzouki in his late teens. Tad is a well-known session musician in London, hosting the Sunday evening session at Waxy O’Connors in Leicester Square, and regularly performs with many of the best musicians in Town including fiddler Sam Proctor and The Long Notes. He has also worked with the BBC, Claire Tchaikwoski, and has performed on stage at the Royal Albert Hall. Tad is the resident bodhran teacher at the Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre.