The High Kings

Formed in Dublin in 2008, The High Kings continue the tradition of sung Irish folk, blending traditional ballads and pub tunes with tight vocal harmonies and a Celtic approach that is open to more contemporary arrangements, sometimes with a country tint. The group currently comprises Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden and Paul O’Brien, following earlier tenures by Martin Furey and then George Murphy. From the outset, The High Kings brought together musicians already rooted in well‑defined strands of Irish music and performance — through family heritage, Riverdance backgrounds and solo careers — which gives their repertoire a balance between transmission and adaptation. After their eponymous debut in 2008, they released Memory Lane (2010) and Friends for Life (2013), where traditional songs increasingly sit alongside material written for the band. Their discography continued with Grace & Glory (2016), the compilation Decade: The Best of The High Kings (2017), Home from Home (2020) and The Road Not Taken (2023), presented as their first album made up entirely of original compositions. The High Kings tour regularly in Ireland, the United States and Europe, appearing on popular stages and at mainstream festivals.