Liam Clancy

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Liam Clancy (born on September 2, 1935) (Irish;Liam Mac Fhlannchadha) is an Irish folk singer. With his brothers Tom, and Patrick Clancy, as well as Tommy Makem he was part of the popular group The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.

Liam was the youngest of the Clancy Brothers. He displayed an artistic disposition at an early age, while growing up in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary. While still in his teens, Liam explored writing and painting, though he was particularly drawn to the theatre. Before he was twenty years old, Liam had founded the local dramatic society and had produced, directed, set-directed, and starred in "The Playboy of the Western World". Liam had also performed at the renowned Gaiety Theatre in Dublin.

In 1955, American song-collector Diane Hamilton arrived at the Clancy home while on a song-collecting tour of Ireland. Liam joined her on the trip to Keady, Co. Armagh, where they met the singer Sarah Makem and her son, Tommy. Both Liam and Tommy emigrated to America the following year, pursuing careers in acting, both on stage and television.

Liam began singing with his brothers at fund-raising events for the Cherry Lane Theatre and the Guthrie benefits. The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem, began recording on Paddy Clancy's "Tradition" label in the late 50s. A record-breaking 16 minute long performance on The Ed Sullivan Show launched the group into stardom. The quartet recorded numerous albums for Columbia Records and enjoyed great success during the '60s folk revival.

Liam Clancy played guitar, in addition to singing tenor, and recorded several solo albums. In 1975 he was booked to play a festival in Cleveland, Ohio, where Tommy Makem was also playing. The two played a set together and formed Makem and Clancy, recording several albums as a duo, until 1988.

In early 2004 he created what many critics consider his greatest musical contribution since the dissolution of the original Clancy Brothers. He received an important role in Martin Scorsese's Peabody Award-winning film No Direction Home which also raised critical awareness of his later work.

As of 2005, Liam Clancy is the last surviving member of the original Clancy Brothers; Tommy Makem survives as well. In 2006 Irish Television profiled Liam Clancy in a two hour documentary called "The Legend of Liam Clancy". Crossing The Line Films are working on a full length biography of Liam for an October/November release. The footage includes interviews with Pete Seeger, Jean Ritchie, Bob Dylan, Oscar Brand, Odetta, Josh White Jr. and many others.

In January of 2007 Liam brings together the cultures of Ireland and Hawaii on a cruise of the Hawaiian Islands. Details can be found on Liam's website: www.liamclancy.com

In February 2007 the documentary "The Legend of Liam Clancy" won the award for best series at the Irish Film & Television Academy awards in Dublin.