The Shamrock Tenors are one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting acts, blending folk music with musical theatre sensibility, traditional dance with storytelling.
Group founder Raymond Walsh said the key to their success was their authenticity as performers and friends.
“People always say ‘you boys really enjoy yourselves’ and we’re like, yeah, because we’re a group of mates,” Walsh said.
“We haven’t been put together by some big corporation or an audition process. First and foremost, the five of us are friends, and we just love doing what we do.”
Walsh began the Shamrock Tenors in 2018 after a stint performing in Les Misérables in London’s West End.
“Working in London, people would ask me, is Belfast safe?” he said.
“Belfast is one of the safest places I’ve ever been on Earth, but there’s still this reputation from the days of the Troubles.
“I knew a group of lads from both Catholic and Protestant communities back home, and I thought I should really throw something together that is able to showcase Northern Ireland in a positive light.”
The group features Walsh and brother Jack, champion Irish dancer brothers Jimmy and Nathan Johnston and multi-instrumentalist Matthew Campbell.
Since the pandemic they have won international acclaim, with best-selling albums, streaming number ones, BBC and PBS specials and Regional Emmy awards.
Walsh said the show was about bringing the Irish pub session to the stage.
“It should feel like a night out in a pub in Belfast,” he said.
“Being Irish and getting to celebrate that with people around the world is the most amazing feeling, so we are super privileged to do what we do.”
The Shamrock Tenors are at Costa Hall on September 7. Visit geelongartscentre.org.au/whats-on/all-events/shamrock-tenors for tickets.
