www.thefuchsiaband.com
Máirtín and Mick are both from the same town, Carrigaline, and have known each other since they were smaller. They went to Mary Mitchell’s tin whistle classes for awhile, then didn’t see each other for about 14 years ...
Kevin McNally was one of the original members of the band, also from Carrigaline, who went for a spin around the world and is now back on “The Island”, happily living and teaching music in West Cork.
Eoin is from a place in West Cork called Newcestown. He went to music classes in Dunmanway, learning from the great Martin Power and Johnny McCarthy. It was here he met up with Brian (Briany) McGillicuddy, from Inniscara, and as young lads, attended many a Fleadh Cheoil together.
In 2002, Máirtín ventured around the globe and while hangin in Australia, was offered a gig for St. Patrick's Day. Eoin was travelling the very same globe at that time, and as luck would have it, was in Sydney at the same time too ... all unknownst to each other. Máirtín’s dad and Eoin’s dad worked together in Leader, a European Funding Scheme for West Cork based bisnesses, and by virtue of both parents speaking, Máirtín rang Eoin and asked if he would play a gig. So it was, The Trinity Bar for a 7-hour gig, free drink and free food ... “the start”.
On April 8th, 2004, Máirtín got a call to play a gig in The Lobby Bar, in Cork. He jumped at the offer .. so all he was short was a band! So he gathered us together and so was born “The Fuchsia Band”.
So our first tour was of our own West Cork, and when we say ‘tour’, we mean we played a few gigs over a long weekend in Clonakilty, Leap and Ballydehob. We had such great craic playing we decided to do loads of gigs together. Within a year we landed ourselves in America. Just like those that went before us we started in New York and traveled wesht! Our first American festival was the Kansas City Irish Fest 2005 where we also launched our debut self-titled album.
Since then we’ve travelled, seen and played in many places including Ireland, England, Finland, Spain, Italy and The US. We’re still at it and enjoying it as much as the first day .. for us it’s all about the enjoyment!!