A nine-year-old singer from west Belfast has attracted worldwide attention after a performance at Belfast’s inaugural Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was shared widely online.
Daniel Kavanagh’s rendition of the traditional Irish folk ballad “Spancill Hill” has been watched by thousands of people around the world. The online reaction has prompted members of the public and businesses to contact his father, Dan Anthony, with offers of a guitar and singing lessons free of charge.
Daniel had originally planned to busk in Belfast city centre to raise enough money to buy a guitar. Instead, the attention generated by a video of his Fleadh performance brought offers of musical support directly to his family. Those who contacted them also encouraged Daniel to keep the money he had earned while performing.
From Belfast streets to the Fleadh stage
Daniel had repeatedly asked to sing on Belfast’s streets before his mother helped gather a small crowd to hear him perform. He returned throughout Fleadh week, singing to audiences and performing alongside more experienced adult musicians in some of the event’s main tents.
His father said the busking performances raised hundreds during the week and gave Daniel the opportunity to meet people from across Ireland and beyond. What began as an effort to save for a musical instrument was transformed by the Fleadh into a story reaching audiences far beyond Belfast.
The performance shared online took place during Belfast’s inaugural Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The traditional music event provided the setting for an appearance that has now resulted in practical offers of support as Daniel continues developing as a performer.
Family support and musical ambitions
Anthony described his son as an “old soul” in a young body and said Daniel sings with passion. He recalled Daniel reading song lyrics and quickly singing them back, adding that he had recognised his son’s ability with words for some time.
Daniel said his “daddy, nanny, mummy and granda” had sung to him when he was younger, helping inspire his interest in music. Asked about his ambitions, he said he wanted to become a hurler, a Gaelic player and “probably a musician”.
The family is already looking towards next year’s Fleadh, when Daniel is expected to return with a microphone. Anthony described the week as an “unreal experience” and said it was the best thing that had happened to Belfast.
While the story may interest readers in Armagh and across Northern Ireland, the reported performance and the offers of support took place in Belfast. The supplied report does not identify an event or development in Armagh.
