Sharon Shannon
Brought County Clare's button-accordion tradition into cross-genre collaborations and music education.
- Years
- 1968–
- Country
- Ireland
- Instrument
- Button accordion
Sharon Shannon grew up in County Clare, Ireland, and became known for her button accordion playing. Her 1991 debut album brought Irish traditional tunes to a wide audience, and she has since performed internationally. She moves between dance tunes and collaborations with singers and instrumentalists from other traditions.
Her recording of Steve Earle's The Galway Girl with Mundy reached a broad public. Later projects drew on country, reggae and classical music; her 2024 album Now! combines her own tunes with traditional material. An honorary music doctorate recipient at the University of Galway, she has also shared her experience through that university's music program and masterclasses.
Selected works, recordings and publications
- Sharon Shannon1991
Her debut album, preserved in the Irish Traditional Music Archive.
Release / publisherAlbum · 1991
Publication source - Now!2024
An album of new compositions and traditional tunes with a range of collaborators.
Release / publisherAlbum · 2024
Publication source
Biography source University of Galway music program Birth year and career overview