Bio

Páirc Festival is thrilled to announce that Ireland’s country music golden boy, Derek Ryan, will be playing in 2023!

With two Irish number one albums, plenty of sellout shows and many music awards, Derek has come a long way since his childhood in Garryhill, County Carlow, where his love of music started with a drum kit as a Christmas present aged 4!

His dad took him to fleadh cheoils (Irish music festivals) throughout his childhood, during which time he won two All-Ireland titles in bodhran and ceili drumming. He was also inspired by his mum’s favourite country music shows, where he listened to Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and George Strait.

Aged just 17, he was part of Celtic teen-pop phenomenon, D-Side, following in the footsteps of Boyzone and Westlife. He achieved 3 UK top 10s during his time with the band. They even scored a number one in Japan with Land of the Rising Sun.

Since 2006, he has been working on his solo career, honing his craft on the London bar and club circuit for 3 years before returning to Ireland in 2009.

Then, in 2010, Derek released the smash hit God’s Plan, which has even been covered by Daniel O’Donnell! His career has only gone up since, with 10 best selling albums, including the number ones The Simple Things and One Good Night.

Derek’s self-written songs, such as Welcome Home (The Gathering), Made of Gold, Life is a River, Hold On To Your Hat and the number one smash hit Yoyo are guaranteed to touch the hearts and feet of the fans at Páirc Festival!