Biography

Larry de Cléir was born in Parteen on the Limerick/Clare border and now lives in Westbury in Corbally near Limerick, a stone's throw from his birthplace. A singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Larry de Cléir's name is known to many Limerick local radio listeners as the singer and composer of "The Rocks of Old Curraghour" which came second in the "Song for Limerick" Competition held in Limerick University Concert Hall in March '99.

His brand of topical folk music is fresh and inventive. Observation, acid wit and a love for his locality makes his music personal and unique. However, while his debut album, (which rejoices in the intriguing title of The Dog that heard the Bell, and which hosts a collection of original songs and tunes with strong local roots in Limerick/Clare/Shannonside), has a strong local flavour, the outlook is universal and accessible to listeners all over the World.

Born in Parteen and growing up in Roscrea and Limerick City, Larry's interest in folk music was fostered by his involvement in the traditional revival/folk club circuit of the 1970s. He was a regular in the famed Pat Dowling's of Prosperous, Co. Kildare, in the mid 70s. He also attended popular listeners clubs in the late 60's and early 70's such as the Universal Folk Club and Coffee Kitchen in Dublin. In the 90's he has played in folk clubs such as The Full Circle Folk Club in Limerick's Glentworth Hotel and was a founder member of the Castleconnell Folk Club in August 1995, which is still held every Tuesday in Bradhsaw's Bar in the riverside town. He is involved in Limerick Songwriters Club and in the "revival" of the Full Circle Folk Club held every other Wednesday in Tim's Bar in Thomas St. Limerick.

A Youth Worker by profession, Larry's gifts of articulation, compassion, humour and wit have found a valuable outlet within his music. As can be heard on the Album, his talents extend to playing a variety of instruments including guitar, harmonica, banjo/bouzouki and tin whistle. Larry is a guitarist/vocalist/songwriter local band Seachain! and appears with them at sessions in various venues in Limerick and Clare.

Apart from his interest in music, Larry has an abiding interest in all matters of an environmental nature. He is an avid cyclist and is involved with the Limerick Greens, makes his own organic wine (some of which inspired the track "Seachain an Fíon Larry!"), and reduced, re-used, and recycled long before it was popular or profitable. He has strong opinions on green issues, and often proffers an alternative view to the mainstream even if such a view is unpopular or unfashionable!
He is married with four children, eldest is 23, youngest is 15.

Larry not only writes songs and tunes, but is an imaginative and innovative arranger of both his own music, and traditional songs and tunes.

Additional information (e.g. words of songs etc.), and mail order enquiries, should be sent to:
Larry de Cléir, 5, The Moorings, Westbury, Corbally, Limerick, Ireland.

Larry can be contacted directly (phone) at +353 86 8370034 or +353 61 340812, or e-mail larrydecleir@eircom.net