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 reaction has also prompted members of the public and businesses to contact his father, Dan Anthony, offering Daniel 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 brought offers of musical support directly to his father. People who contacted the family 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 then returned throughout Fleadh week, singing to audiences and performing alongside more experienced adult musicians in some of the event’s main tents.
According to his father, Daniel’s busking performances raised hundreds during the week and gave him the chance 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 inspiration 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.
For Armagh readers: the story concerns Belfast and does not report an event or development in Armagh.
