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 was watched by thousands of people around the world. The reaction has brought offers from members of the public and businesses to provide the young performer with 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 the video led people to contact his father, Dan Anthony, with offers of musical support. They also encouraged Daniel to keep the money he had earned while performing.

From Belfast busking to Fleadh stages

Daniel had repeatedly asked to sing on the streets of Belfast before his mother helped gather a small crowd to hear him perform. Following that first appearance, he returned throughout Fleadh week, singing to audiences and performing alongside more experienced adult musicians in some of the event’s main tents.

His busking performances raised hundreds during the week and gave him the opportunity to meet people from across Ireland and beyond, according to his father. What began as a young boy’s effort to save for an instrument was transformed by the Fleadh into a story watched by audiences far beyond Belfast.

The performance took place during Belfast’s inaugural Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, with the traditional music event providing the setting for the widely shared appearance. The video’s reach has resulted in practical offers that could support Daniel’s musical interests as he continues to develop as a performer.

A young singer with big 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, saying he had recognised his son’s ability with words for some time.

“old soul”

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 future, he said he wanted to become a hurler, a Gaelic player and “probably a musician”.

“daddy, nanny, mummy and granda”
“probably a musician”

The family is already looking towards next year’s Fleadh, when Daniel is expected to return with a microphone. Anthony called the week an “unreal experience” and said it was the best thing that had happened to Belfast.

“unreal experience”