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The Voice of Dublin In The Rare Auld Times…

Patsy Watchorn has remained one of most distinctive voices on the Irish Ballad scene for more than 30 years—on par with Ronnie Drew and Finbar Furey. He introduced a string of songs that have become Irish folk standards—“The Ferryman”, “The Flight of Earls” and the classic, “Dublin in the Rare Auld Times”—to name but a few. For more than two decades he led the very successful Dublin City Ramblers, leaving the band in 1995.

From there he formed “Spot The Paddy” with Noel Healy and Mickey Furey. They released a single and a CD (titled “Spot The Paddy”) and toured for about a year before calling it a day.

Since then Patsy has gone solo, appearing regularly with his backing band featuring, Brian “The Furrier” Furlong (ex-Fureys), John Deegan  (ex-Napper Tandy) and Martin Cochran. Patsy has released 4 albums and 1 EP since 1995 and performs regularly at the Lower Deck in Dublin, as well as playing a number of corporate and private events abroad and major festivals.

In 2002, Patsy celebrated the 25th anniversary of his big 1977 hit “Dublin In The Rare Auld Times” with a series of radio and TV appearances as well as a new CD “The Very Best Of Patsy Watchorn”.

Two more CDs followed, the acclaimed “Hearts of Fire” in 2003, and “Irish Rebel Heroes” in 2004. Patsy is not a man to dwell on his past accomplishments and may only now be truly hitting his stride; at last achieving the recognition he deserves, as one of a very small handful of Irelands great ballad singers. In 2005 Paddy Reilly left the Dubliners, and Pasty was asked join.