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Davey Arthur
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Key Information
Davey Pat Arthur (born 24 September 1954 in County Donegal) is an Irish folk singer.
Early life
[edit]Originally from Donegal,[1] Arthur moved to Scotland at the age of two.[2] He started to play music at the age of eight, and returned to Ireland aged 18.
Career
[edit]Known for playing the banjo, mandolin and guitar,[2] he was originally a solo artist before joining with the Furey Brothers in 1978.[3] Touring and performing as The Fureys and Davey Arthur, the group had several number one singles in Ireland in the 1970s and 1980s,[4] and a top 20 hit in the UK singles chart in 1981.[5]
Arthur left the Fureys in 1992, pursuing a solo career and undertook a number of solo tours.[6] He later rejoined some of the original lineup of the Fureys and Davey Arthur for a number of tours and albums.[3][7] Living in County Kerry for some years,[8] as of early 2019 Arthur had not returned to touring with the Fureys (having reputedly suffered a stroke in 2014).[9][10]
Discography
[edit]Davey Arthur has written over 40 compositions,[6] that have featured on 28 albums.[2]
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Solo albums[11]
The Buskers (with Paul Furey and Brendan Leeson)[12]
The Fureys & Davey Arthur (Studio Albums)[13][14]
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References
[edit]- ^ "We've worked with many famous people, but the best moment was singing with children from the Shankill Road and Ardoyne". belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Belfast Telegraph. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ a b c "Biography - Davey Arthur". tradmusic.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2006.
- ^ a b "The Fureys And Davey Arthur". rte.ie. RTÉ. 31 December 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ "Irish Charts Search - Davey Arthur". irishcharts.ie. IRMA. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ Colin Larkin (1995). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music - Volume 2. Guinness Publications. p. 1578. ISBN 9781561591763.
The following year, 1981, the group, credited as the Fureys And Davey Arthur, reached the UK Top 20 with 'When You Were Sweet Sixteen'
- ^ a b "Davey Arthur Official Biography". daveyarthur.ie. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012.
- ^ "Fureys and Davey Arthur return to Cork". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ "Davey Arthur backs counselling service fund-raiser". The Kerryman. Independent News & Media. 9 September 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
Resident in Cahersiveen, Irish music legend Davey Arthur is [..] Married to Cahersiveen native Joanne McCarthy, the Arthur family has been close to the south Kerry town for the past six years
- ^ "The Fureys: Stage fright no match for life on the road". bbc.com. BBC. 13 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
The [Furey] brothers' long-time collaborator, Davey Arthur, suffered a stroke in 2014
- ^ "Official Website". thefureys.com. The Fureys and Davey Arthur. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
Inevitably changes have occurred over the years [..] Finbar left the band in December 1996 and Davey got a stroke in March 2014 which he is still recovering from
- ^ "Davey Arthur - Discography". theballadeers.com. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ "The Fureys and Davey Arthur". theballadeers.com. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ "The Fureys and Davey Arthur - Discography". theballadeers.com. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ "The Fureys and Davey Arthur: Discography". theballadeers.com. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
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Davey Arthur
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Birth and Irish roots
Davey Pat Arthur was born on 24 September 1954 in County Donegal, Ireland.[6][9] County Donegal, located in the northwest of Ireland, is renowned for its deep-rooted Gaelic heritage, including the Irish language and a vibrant tradition of folk music and storytelling that has influenced generations of artists from the region. Arthur spent the first two years of his life in Donegal, establishing his foundational connection to Irish culture before his family relocated.[9][10]Childhood in Scotland
At the age of two, Davey Arthur relocated from his birthplace in County Donegal, Ireland, to Scotland with his family, where he would spend the majority of his formative years.[11] Growing up in Scotland as an Irish immigrant child during the mid-20th century, Arthur navigated a cultural landscape shaped by Scotland's vibrant Scottish-Irish communities, which maintained strong ties to traditional music and heritage.[12] His early childhood was marked by a blend of Irish storytelling and Scottish influences, fostering a sense of identity connected to his heritage.[11] Musical interests emerged prominently at age eight, when Arthur began learning the guitar, marking the start of his self-taught journey into music within the local folk scenes.[11] He also became proficient in the banjo and mandolin, drawing inspiration from the thriving folk revival in Scotland. A pivotal moment came through his close friendship with the Furey brothers, Eddie and Finbar; their exposure to professional folk music via shared records and local performances ignited Arthur's passion for Irish traditional sounds.[11] This early immersion in folk traditions, facilitated by second-hand albums and community gatherings, laid the groundwork for his lifelong dedication to the genre.[13]Career
With The Fureys (1978–1992)
Davey Arthur joined The Fureys in 1978, uniting with brothers Eddie, Finbar, Paul, and George Furey to form the group known as The Fureys and Davey Arthur, building on their earlier folk performances in Europe.[14][15] Within the band, Arthur served as a key multi-instrumentalist, providing vocals alongside his expertise on banjo, mandolin, guitar, and mandola, while contributing significantly to the group's rich vocal harmonies and intricate arrangements that blended traditional Irish folk with contemporary elements.[16][14] The collaboration yielded major commercial successes, including the 1980 single "The Green Fields of France," which topped the Irish charts and spent 28 weeks there, establishing the band as a prominent voice in folk music.[17] In 1981, "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and also hit number one in Ireland, leading to appearances on Top of the Pops and broadening their appeal.[18][19] These hits were featured on chart-topping albums, marking the peak of the band's popularity during this era.[14] The group undertook extensive tours across Europe and the UK, evolving from intimate folk club performances to large-scale international concerts that drew thousands, solidifying their reputation as enduring folk ambassadors.[8][14] Early milestones included the 1977 album Emigrant, an initial collaborative effort that showcased their harmonious sound and set the stage for broader fame.[20] Arthur co-wrote and featured on numerous tracks during this period, enhancing the band's catalog with over two dozen original compositions and adaptations.[5]Solo career (1992–present)
After departing from The Fureys in 1992 to pursue an independent solo career, Davey Arthur sought greater artistic freedom, allowing him to explore traditional Celtic folk music with a focus on his own original compositions. This shift enabled him to record in a more traditional vein, emphasizing personal storytelling rooted in Irish heritage.[11] Arthur's solo discography includes notable releases such as Celtic Side Saddle (1994), featuring tracks like "Hail Mary Full of Grace," an original composition that highlights his blend of folk melodies and lyrical introspection. He followed this with Cut to the Chase (1998), which incorporated influences from collaborators like Werner Lämmerhirt and continued his emphasis on Celtic instrumentation, including banjo, mandolin, and guitar. Throughout his career, Arthur has contributed over 40 original compositions to more than 28 albums, many of which appear in contemporary folk repertoires.[9][21][22][23] In the 2000s, Arthur occasionally reunited with members of The Fureys for tours, including a special performance marking the band's 25th anniversary in 2005 and a return to the lineup in 2008. He also contributed to their 2013 album Songs Through the Years, providing vocals and instrumentation that bridged his solo style with the group's established sound. These reunions were selective, balancing his independent projects.[24][5][25] Beyond recording and performing, Arthur has taken on roles as a composer, arts consultant, and music publisher through his company, Davey Arthur Music. These positions have allowed him to mentor emerging folk artists and promote Irish music traditions. His work has featured in various folk ensembles and publications, extending his influence.[26] Arthur's solo endeavors maintained a strong presence in live performances across Ireland and Europe until he suffered a stroke in March 2014, after which his touring and concert activities were limited.[8] His contributions have helped shape modern interpretations of Irish folk music, inspiring a new generation through accessible yet authentic arrangements.[10][27]Personal life and later years
Family and residences
Davey Arthur is married to Joanne McCarthy, a native of Cahersiveen in County Kerry.[28] The couple has made their home in Cahersiveen since around 2003, establishing deep roots in the south Kerry community.[28] Following his return to Ireland at age 18 after growing up in Scotland, Arthur's adult residences centered on various locations across Ireland, with his long-term settlement in County Kerry reflecting a return to his Irish heritage.[10] In Kerry, he has engaged with local initiatives, such as supporting fundraising efforts for children's counseling services in the region.[28] This involvement underscores his ties to the area's cultural life and community support networks.[28]Health issues and current status
In March 2014, Davey Arthur suffered a stroke, an event that profoundly affected his physical health and professional life.[14][8] The stroke impaired his mobility and vocal performance capabilities, necessitating extensive rehabilitation including physiotherapy and ongoing medical support. Recovery has been gradual and challenging, with Arthur still dealing with lingering effects on his ability to perform as of 2024.[29] As a direct result, Arthur retired from touring and live performances with the band shortly after the incident, ending his active stage career that had spanned decades. He shifted away from full-scale tours by the mid-2010s, focusing instead on personal recovery rather than public engagements.[8] As of 2025, at age 71, Arthur resides in Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland. His compositions maintain influence in Irish folk music, performed regularly by The Fureys during their ongoing tours, including their farewell tour in 2025–2026.[28][14]Discography
Albums with The Fureys
During his tenure with The Fureys from 1978 to 1992, Davey Arthur contributed to approximately 15 studio albums, blending traditional Irish folk music with Celtic instrumentation and evolving toward more contemporary arrangements that emphasized heartfelt ballads and harmonious vocals.[5] These recordings, primarily released on independent Irish labels like Dolphin and Banshee Records, showcased Arthur's guitar and vocal talents alongside the Fureys brothers, gaining popularity for their emotive storytelling rooted in Irish heritage.[30] The collaboration began with early works like Emigrant (1977, Polydor), an initial joint effort that captured raw folk traditions before their formal partnership.[5] Subsequent releases built on this foundation, with Banshee (1978, Dolphin) introducing broader instrumentation. The pivotal The Green Fields of France (1979, Banshee) featured the title track—a poignant anti-war ballad—that topped the Irish Singles Chart and remained there for weeks, propelling the album's international appeal in Europe.[4]| Album | Release Year | Label | Chart Performance | Standout Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Sound Of ... | 1980 | Polydor (IRL) | N/A | "I Will Love You" (Arthur vocal feature) |
| When You Were Sweet Sixteen | 1982 | Banshee (IRL) | #99 UK Albums Chart; Irish #1 (implied by single success) | "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" (Irish Singles #1) |
| Steal Away | 1983 | Banshee (IRL) | N/A | "Steal Away" (folk cover with Arthur arrangement) |
| Golden Days | 1984 | K-Tel (IRL/UK) | #17 UK Albums Chart; strong Irish sales | "Golden Days," "The Old Man" |
| At the End of the Day | 1985 | K-Tel (IRL/UK) | #35 UK Albums Chart | "At the End of the Day," "Dreaming My Dreams" |
| The First Leaves of Autumn | 1986 | Banshee (IRL) | Irish top-seller | "The First Leaves of Autumn" (Arthur composition influence) |
| The Scattering | 1988 | Banshee (IRL) | N/A | "The Scattering," European tour staple |
| Winds of Change | 1992 | Ritz (UK) | N/A | "Winds of Change" (reflecting stylistic shift) |