John Whelan

Celtic master John Whelan and his red, two-row button accordion have been inseparable since the first day he picked up the instrument at age 11 in Dunstable, England. Whelan's Irish father, who hails from County Wexford, and his Irish mother, who comes from Ballingary in County Tipperary, both instilled in their son a love for traditional Irish music. His father played the melodeon, the single-row button accordion, and Whelan took up the two-row button accordion, eventually winning six All-Britain championships and seven All-Ireland titles. Whelan has five albums as a leader, ...