Diarmuid De Guide

Diarmuid De Guide interview Thursday 22nd Dec 2011
On Thursday last I had the pleasure of Diarmuid De Guide  from Blarney in County Cork as my guest.  We were joined in studio by his manager Carol Rice who also manages Stephen Leeson, Jimmy Crowley and Irish Folk Group Shebeen. Also in the studio on the day was guest presenter Linda Carroll who presents another program on Youghal Radio. So with a bigger then normal crew of people all gathered around the mic it was going to be an interesting if not fun afternoon. And fun it was with some great tunes thrown in for the listeners. I spoke with Carol about how she came across Diarmuid and I also spoke with Diarmuid about how he came across Carroll, but I am getting ahead of myself again as normal. I guess I should tell you a little about Diarmuid.

He is quite the acclaimed musician with the ability to play Guitar, Harmonica, Banjo, Whistles, Mandolin, Accordion, Bodhran, the list is endless but he has a big soft spot for the Banjo and the Whistles and recently gaves the well renowned Sharon Shannon a loan of his Tin Whistles on a recent trip to Lanzarote because she had forgotten hers.  His musical influences ranges from Christy Moore, The Clancy Brother, Dubliners, Wolfe Tones to The Fureys and Davey Arthur.

Diarmuid has a natural ability to play by ear and he soon realised this at the very young age of 7 when he began to play the Tin Whistle in School and picked it up instantly.  He claims that music is in his blood because even thought his brothers and sisters tried their hand at it, they unfortunately don’t have a note between them and he is the only musician in his family but he was inspired by his uncle who played the banjo and this is where his love of the banjo comes from.  One of his biggest musical influences would have to be Finbar Furey who also plays the banjo.  It wasn’t until he was 15 years old that he started playing the Guitar, with the mandolin to follow, then the harmonica which was quickly followed by the banjo.Even though his parents encouraged to get a trade under his belt after leaving school, Diarmuid did his apprenticeship as a Carpenter but his heart wasn’t in the job it was in the music and with such a passion and love of music he completed his trade and then put his full focus into music which he has been doing since.

Diarmuid has travelled all around the world with his music and played all over Europe in Scotland, England, Germany, Spain, France, Sweden, Jersey Island, Gran Canaries, Lanazarote before moving onto Asia and Canada.  He firmly believes that by travelling away tightens up a musicians’ performance especially for young people who are learning the trade and working hard as a solo act in these countries it gave him confidence and an appreciation of the work involved with playing solo or with a band. He played with many a band growing up one of them being “The Hairy Bousies” which were known as the kiddy band in Blarney.  They unfortunately split up and Diarmuid finally went onto create his own band which are called “The Ferrymen”.  He also plays from time to time with Cork “Finnegans Wake” and is a resident musician in The Bailey Bar with the band “The Rogues” every Sunday night.  One of Diarmuid’s great passion in life and is what he sees as his daily job is busking, and he is well known in Cork City where he performs on a regular basis.

On talking to Diarmuid you can see how passionate and hungry he is to succeed in this harsh business and next year will see him collaborate with other great musicians in the folk industry, one of them being Stephen Leeson.  Earlier this year Diarmuid and his band mate Phil Cahill were special guests at Stephen Leeson’s gig in Glens Theatre, Banteer.  It was there first experience of such an intimate gig but they went down a storm before Stephen Leeson took to the stage and joined Stephen Leeson for his final performance on the night as they sang “Go Lassie Go”.  I am therefore hoping that by then end of 2012 they will be doing gigs in Theatres by themselves.

At present Diarmuid is working on his new album and is hoping to put pen to paper and start working on his own material.  He hopes that 2012 will see him work with experienced artist who have the same goals and ambitions as him and he would love to support artists like The Furey’s, as to gain such experience would be real beneficial for him and it would be great to be pointed in the right direction from some of the best acts within the industry.  He also hopes to get his music out there and travel Ireland more performing in all 32 counties.

On a final note Diarmuid is now under the guidance of a new manager by the name of Carol Rice who has also the privilege of managing Stephen Leeson, Jimmy Crowley and Irish Folk Group Shebeen, so 2012 will see some collaboration and new ventures for Diarmuid De Guide.

Shane Supple interviews Diarmuid De Guide by Shane Supple on Mixcloud

To contact Diarmuid you can contact Carol Rice, M.Sc., B.Comm.

(Diarmuid De Guide Management)

Phone: 089 4384175

International: 00353 89 4384175