Workshop venue in Cricklewood TBA - please register from 10.30am in the reception area of the Clayton Crown Hotel.

Derek Hickey hails from Adare, Co. Limerick. Both his grandfathers played fiddle and his own musical career began at ten years of age when his uncle left an accordion in the family home. Derek progressed to dance tunes within weeks though he didn’t begin lessons – under the tutelage of Dónal de Barra – until he was 12.

Derek’s professional career began three years later when he joined the Shannonside Céilí Band. Formed by the Liddy family the band was particularly popular in the north of the country. It also toured extensively in England and made regular trips throughout Europe.

In 1991 Frankie Gavin asked Derek to join him for regular sessions in his then leased hotel in Kinvara, Co. Galway. One year later, at just eighteen years of age Derek joined Arcady, Johnny ‘Ringo’ McDonagh’s band. Frances Black, Brendan Larrisey and Patsy Broderick were also members of the band at that time and many other household names have played in the line-up including Sharon Shannon, Cathal Hayden and Gerry O’Connor.

In 1995 Derek joined the legendary De Dannan. He toured with them until 2003. Derek is a button accordion tutor on the BA Irish Music and Dance at the Irish World Academy. Alongside teaching he has returned to performing with De Danann and continues to tour both nationally and internationally.

For more details regarding events taking place as part of 'Return to London Town' London's 23rd Festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance (Fri 22 - Mon 25 Oct 2021) please see www.returntolondontown.org and www.irishmusicinlondon.org