A Brief History
The first notes to ring through the house were those of Sheila on piano. When Grades began to make music a chore she stopped the lessons but continued playing for pleasure. Shortly afterwards, Stephen started attending guitar lessons at the age of 7 with St. Patrick’s Primary School and has never looked back. Linda too started attending the whistle classes provided by St. Patrick’s, continuing to add to her repertoire by attending the whistle class at Warrenpoint Comhaltas along with Sinead. Danielle not satisfied with listening to her brother and sister playing music began to learn Fiddle at Comhaltas. Eamon was given an 8” Bodhrán at the age of 2 and a half having shown a natural sense of rhythm has been making heads turn since. Sheila found that the spontaneity and drive of Irish Traditional was what her past experiences of music had been lacking and started playing the Piano Accordion as at least in this way she could put her ability to play piano to use! She then moved on to whistle and two years after her brother Eamon, Sheila began to experiment with the Bodhrán and has since made a name for herself as a skilled Bodhrán player. At this stage Linda had mastered the whistle and had progressed onto the flute. A year later Stephen started on the Banjo having already proved himself to be a talented guitarist, he later branched out into the Mandolin and Bouzouki. Sinead was inspired by the likes of Brendan Begley and Martin Quinn and in 2001 started playing the Button Accordion along with the whistle. Little Danielle fell in love with the tone (and size!) of the Mandolin and now enjoys being able to change instruments at sessions along with the rest of her brothers and sisters!
Each and every one of there six musicians has earned themselves numerous county, province and All-Ireland titles at various Fleadhanna and have proved themselves to be talented musicians time and time again. Eamon became the youngest musician to hold the All-Ireland title for under 12 Bodhrán playing in 2003, leaving everyone in the competition wondering ‘Who was that little boy whose feet didn’t even touch the ground…?‘
He has gone on and made this two in a row in 2004. Sheila herself had All-Ireland success gaining 1st place playing Bodhrán in the under 18 competition.
Where have we played?
The Rooney Family have played at local - and not so local charity functions, raising funds at local community events, hospice fundraisers and for the Street Children of Manila.
Whilst they remain one of the County Downs hidden treasures, The Rooneys are no strangers to the television and radio. A few years ago they were asked to play for the episode of the documentary ‘This Land‘ which was set in the scenic landscape of The Mournes. In 2001 they were invited to take part in the George Jones Christmas Show and were asked back in 2003 to entertain the crowds in The Ulster Hall once more.
In 2004 The Rooneys were asked by Colum Sands to play on the ‘Folk Club‘ as a part of BBC Music Live alongside Kieran Goss and Ann Kinsella, Sinead Stone, Gerald Farelly, and Sean Donnelly. Also, the Family were invited to join Mr Tommy Sands and company to entertain The E.U delegates and ministers in Trinity College in Dublin, a fabulous experience.
Local Television UTV presented a Christmas “School Around the Corner Special” and once again the family entertained the audience with fantastic feedback given. So far this year, the family has taken part in TG4 television programme Ardán. They headlined the concert celebrating International Woman’s Day; a super night was had by all.
They spent an amazing week on the Isle of Skye during Easter and have made some wonderful new friends and they have written some superb tunes inspired by that week.