We are a four piece traditional Irish band from Hammersmith in London. We are a regular feature at the Irish Cultural Centre’s events, sessions and music lessons. Check out our Instagram page riruaband
Band Members
David Kelly
David is a guitarist, singer and bodhran player. His newfound addiction to session music led to studying Irish DADGAD guitar backing and Bodhrán lessons at the ICC from 2018 under Tad Sargent. He came to Irish trad sessions for the craic and stayed for Mick O’Connor’s dad jokes.
Ali Monaghan
Ali is a former classical violinist turned fiddle player, from New York City. She’s been taking lessons with resident fiddler Michael Sweeney at the ICC since 2017, and regularly attends the Friday trad sessions.
Vince Walsh
Vince is a banjo player and singer. Brought up in West London with family from Dublin and surrounded by Irish music. He came to the ICC Friday sessions to check them out in 2023 having been in Ireland for the previous 6 years and playing in sessions.
Lydia Whitehouse
Lydia is a fiddle player from London, where she is also studying Music at university. Starting the violin over ten years ago, she pursued trad music alongside her classical teaching, learning through attending sessions and regularly practicing trad music with her uncle, another musician. She first came to the ICC in 2021 to take part in their Friday evening sessions.
Ri Rua 