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Leonard Barry has been described as one of Ireland's "best pipers, be it solo, duet, and group playing" (tradconnect.com). Born in Tralee, Co. Kerry, and now living in Sligo, Leonard started his musical journey on the whistle at the age of eight under the guidance of his uncle Bert O'Brien. Taking up the uilleann pipes in his teens, Leonard's music is influenced by many of the musicians he met in the Munster area (the Sliabh Luachra style), especially in Kerry, whilst also drawing from a vast experience of playing Old Time American music and the various styles within Irish Traditional Music. He has been described as a piper "with an eye for cut-glass detail, he etches out a tune with enviable precision" (The Irish Times).
Leonard has collaborated with John Spillane, Pól Brennan (Clannad), and Luka Bloom, plus guest appearances with many others. In 2002, Leonard released his first solo CD, "Mind the Pipes" (which was co-produced by Declan Synnott of Moving Hearts, Christy Moore), which was described as a "classic debut." It was mentioned in the top ten albums of the year in The Irish Times that year.
In 2003, Leonard took a break from being a full-time musician to pursue a career working with the Dublin Simon Community, an organization that works with the homeless in Dublin City.
In 2013, he came back to full-time music, releasing his second CD entitled "New Road" to critical acclaim. It features some of Ireland’s best musicians, including John Carty (At the Racket, Patrick St), Cathy Jordan (Dervish, The Unwanted), Rick Epping (Arcady, The Unwanted), Seamie O'Dowd (ex-Dervish, Martin O'Connor and Cathal Hayden, Christy Moore), Conor Byrne (flute), Andy Morrow (fiddle), and Tony Byrne (guitarist with Julie Fowlis). The recording has been described as: "An underrated sweetly, lyrical gem" 5 Stars – The Sunday Business Post.
"Music as it should be" – fRoots Magazine.
"A beautifully sincere, atmospheric, lovingly accomplished recording" – Songlines.
"An important and great musician" – The Irish American News.
"I'm always listening out for pipers. Since first encountering Leonard Barry, it has always been a pleasure to hear him play. His chanter is so sweet, his regulators fairly hop, and his drones are most seductive. I look forward to hearing him at it again soon." – Christy Moore.
Solo, duet, and trio tours of Europe and the USA followed, which resulted in Leonard being named Live Ireland Musician of the Year 2015 and also The Irish American News Musician of the Year 2015. The success of the solo album also led to the formation of the band New Road. Leonard is also a much sought-after teacher of uilleann pipes and whistles, teaching at many festivals in Ireland and Europe, as well as doing masterclasses at various universities internationally.
Leonard has collaborated with John Spillane, Pól Brennan (Clannad), and Luka Bloom, plus guest appearances with many others. In 2002, Leonard released his first solo CD, "Mind the Pipes" (which was co-produced by Declan Synnott of Moving Hearts, Christy Moore), which was described as a "classic debut." It was mentioned in the top ten albums of the year in The Irish Times that year.
In 2003, Leonard took a break from being a full-time musician to pursue a career working with the Dublin Simon Community, an organization that works with the homeless in Dublin City.
In 2013, he came back to full-time music, releasing his second CD entitled "New Road" to critical acclaim. It features some of Ireland’s best musicians, including John Carty (At the Racket, Patrick St), Cathy Jordan (Dervish, The Unwanted), Rick Epping (Arcady, The Unwanted), Seamie O'Dowd (ex-Dervish, Martin O'Connor and Cathal Hayden, Christy Moore), Conor Byrne (flute), Andy Morrow (fiddle), and Tony Byrne (guitarist with Julie Fowlis). The recording has been described as: "An underrated sweetly, lyrical gem" 5 Stars – The Sunday Business Post.
"Music as it should be" – fRoots Magazine.
"A beautifully sincere, atmospheric, lovingly accomplished recording" – Songlines.
"An important and great musician" – The Irish American News.
"I'm always listening out for pipers. Since first encountering Leonard Barry, it has always been a pleasure to hear him play. His chanter is so sweet, his regulators fairly hop, and his drones are most seductive. I look forward to hearing him at it again soon." – Christy Moore.
Solo, duet, and trio tours of Europe and the USA followed, which resulted in Leonard being named Live Ireland Musician of the Year 2015 and also The Irish American News Musician of the Year 2015. The success of the solo album also led to the formation of the band New Road. Leonard is also a much sought-after teacher of uilleann pipes and whistles, teaching at many festivals in Ireland and Europe, as well as doing masterclasses at various universities internationally.
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