In 2019, the Willoughby Brothers rebranded as the Celtic Brothers after two of the brothers, Jerome and Sammy, stepped away from the group due to family and work commitments.
The refined four-piece group now comprises Robbie, Des, Johnny and Richie, whose unique and recognisable sound blends Irish ballads, popular classics and contemporary songs. With COVID-19 hitting soon after their reshuffle, they only got to produce one album before the whole entertainment industry was brought to a screeching halt.
Now 15 years since they released the first single as the Willoughby Brothers back in 2010, the Celtic Brothers are back on stage with an Irish and American tour currently planned for the Christmas season and continuing next year.
Passion for music
One thing that hasn’t changed is their passion for country music, centred around unique harmony and family connections.
“Our first interest in music came from our father Richard and our late mother Breda, as they had their own country and Irish band. They would have played at all the different dances and marquees around Leinster, particularly, and around the country,” explains Des.
Richard doesn’t perform professionally in any shape or form now, but he would play a lot of the Irish or trad nights during the week, according to Des.
“He’d be travelling to Irish nights (showcasing traditional music and dance) around Wicklow and Wexford and different places. Music sessions are happening every night of the week, somewhere around the county. It keeps Dad young and fresh.
“He is 74 years of age, but he certainly doesn’t look it or feel it. We still look at him like he’s 40,” he says.
Unfortunately, their mother passed away back in 1990; she was only 38 years of age. The youngest brother Jerome was three at the time, and Richard was the oldest, aged 15.
“Dad was left with quite a handful to rear us on his own, but we had the support of family, friends and neighbours. That’s probably the most unique part about living in the countryside is that when people are in need, whatever the situation, people do rally around and support,” he says.
Developing harmony
Des got his first real experience of music from attending FCJ Bunclody, a secondary school in Co Wexford, where he performed in the different musicals and choirs.
“From there, I went to study with Dr Veronica Dunne and trained as a tenor. I performed solo across the country, the UK and America, as a soloist and as part of a group called the Three Irish Tenors. I noticed a bit of a gap, that something was missing, and maybe a family group might work. And we had always sung as a social group, at family events,” he explains.
Having recorded four albums as the six-piece Willoughby Brothers, the now refined four-piece Celtic Brothers. \ Tom Clarke
They didn’t do anything on a professional basis or in front of the public until 2009, when the rest of the five brothers joined Des for one of his concerts at a guest spot.
“Then it just progressed into an official group. We recorded four albums as the Willoughby Brothers, and toured around Ireland, did lots of concerts and shows and guest performances, including the Women & Ag conferences, a number of times with the Irish Farmers Journal. It was one of our favourite things to do. I think we did our first one in 2013,” says Des.
Music was a “huge part” of growing up in rural Ireland, he admits.
“Particularly around the countryside, people just gather, and every gathering turns into a sing-along of some sort. At the end of the night, everybody wants to sing, and everybody gets that chance in those informal music or singing sessions. We probably don’t appreciate it enough,” Des emphasises.
Music was always what Des wanted to do; his inspiration to pursue it professionally came from a student who was a couple of years ahead of him in school, called Anthony Kearns.
“He is one of Ireland’s finest singers and introduced me to Veronica, and I haven’t looked back since. I am still at it a long time later. It has diversified from just performing and singing to hosting events and promoting them. It’s a varied experience I have in the music business, because I see it from both sides as a performer and promoter.”
Back in 2015, Des started a new venture with Des Willoughby Promotions, which has now turned into a leading event management company based in Wicklow.
“We have always tried to promote our own concerts but then I would have put on weekend events like concerts and dancing events together across Ireland in different hotels and put packages together.
“The ‘Stars On The Costa’ is an accumulation of that. We have now decided to bring a couple of hundred people away on a holiday with us. It’s accumulated into a trip away to the sun,” he explains.
Redeveloping the band
The reason they reduced the family band down to four was because it was becoming more difficult to get all six brothers together all the time, as everyone’s lives changed with families and different work commitments.
Des Willoughby in the Ballybeg House, Co Wicklow. \ Tom Clarke
“We reduced it down to the four guys who were able to have this time and space to commit to it more. We did one album as Celtic Brothers, and then COVID-19 hit, and there was a bit of a pause on what we were doing as Celtic Brothers. We’re back promoting that now as well,” he explains.
It was a very difficult time for everyone in the entertainment business during the lockdown because of the restrictions around events; it was at a standstill, he says.
“In fairness to the government, the support came. They came a little bit late, but when they did come, they were very supportive, particularly the Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS), which helped us put events on and reduced the risk. That was important that we were able to get back out there, with the support of the LPSS fund and get back to doing gigs. Slowly but surely it has all come back,” Des explains.
Following on from the success of last year’s trip, Des and Richie are due to host another music holiday, ‘Stars On The Costa’ in Calpe, Spain, taking place from 16-22 October.
“It’s a week in the sun filled with music and dancing in the form of concerts and dances. There’s a good mixture; some people will prefer a dance, and some people will prefer to sit and have a concert.
“We look after them as Richard and I are hosting it, so we’re around all the time, and people will get a great welcome. The week is planned for attendees, so they don’t have to think about what they have to do at night because we will entertain them each night.
“Our dad and his friends become the stars of the show in the afternoon because he hosts some informal music sessions with his friends,” explains Des.
Guests will stay at the four-star AR Diamante Beach & Spa Hotel with six nights’ accommodation on a half-board basis, daily poolside entertainment, nightly shows in an exclusive ballroom, dance workshops with Patricia Brady, and the support of the Country Music Tours team throughout the trip.
Other artists featuring include Derek Ryan, Foster and Allen, Mary Byrne, Louise Morrissey, Robert Mizzell and Olivia Douglas.
For more information on bookings, call Sharon at Country Music Tours on 0873410550
In 2019, the Willoughby Brothers rebranded as the Celtic Brothers after two of the brothers, Jerome and Sammy, stepped away from the group due to family and work commitments.
The refined four-piece group now comprises Robbie, Des, Johnny and Richie, whose unique and recognisable sound blends Irish ballads, popular classics and contemporary songs. With COVID-19 hitting soon after their reshuffle, they only got to produce one album before the whole entertainment industry was brought to a screeching halt.
Now 15 years since they released the first single as the Willoughby Brothers back in 2010, the Celtic Brothers are back on stage with an Irish and American tour currently planned for the Christmas season and continuing next year.
Passion for music
One thing that hasn’t changed is their passion for country music, centred around unique harmony and family connections.
“Our first interest in music came from our father Richard and our late mother Breda, as they had their own country and Irish band. They would have played at all the different dances and marquees around Leinster, particularly, and around the country,” explains Des.
Richard doesn’t perform professionally in any shape or form now, but he would play a lot of the Irish or trad nights during the week, according to Des.
“He’d be travelling to Irish nights (showcasing traditional music and dance) around Wicklow and Wexford and different places. Music sessions are happening every night of the week, somewhere around the county. It keeps Dad young and fresh.
“He is 74 years of age, but he certainly doesn’t look it or feel it. We still look at him like he’s 40,” he says.
Unfortunately, their mother passed away back in 1990; she was only 38 years of age. The youngest brother Jerome was three at the time, and Richard was the oldest, aged 15.
“Dad was left with quite a handful to rear us on his own, but we had the support of family, friends and neighbours. That’s probably the most unique part about living in the countryside is that when people are in need, whatever the situation, people do rally around and support,” he says.
Developing harmony
Des got his first real experience of music from attending FCJ Bunclody, a secondary school in Co Wexford, where he performed in the different musicals and choirs.
“From there, I went to study with Dr Veronica Dunne and trained as a tenor. I performed solo across the country, the UK and America, as a soloist and as part of a group called the Three Irish Tenors. I noticed a bit of a gap, that something was missing, and maybe a family group might work. And we had always sung as a social group, at family events,” he explains.
Having recorded four albums as the six-piece Willoughby Brothers, the now refined four-piece Celtic Brothers. \ Tom Clarke
They didn’t do anything on a professional basis or in front of the public until 2009, when the rest of the five brothers joined Des for one of his concerts at a guest spot.
“Then it just progressed into an official group. We recorded four albums as the Willoughby Brothers, and toured around Ireland, did lots of concerts and shows and guest performances, including the Women & Ag conferences, a number of times with the Irish Farmers Journal. It was one of our favourite things to do. I think we did our first one in 2013,” says Des.
Music was a “huge part” of growing up in rural Ireland, he admits.
“Particularly around the countryside, people just gather, and every gathering turns into a sing-along of some sort. At the end of the night, everybody wants to sing, and everybody gets that chance in those informal music or singing sessions. We probably don’t appreciate it enough,” Des emphasises.
Music was always what Des wanted to do; his inspiration to pursue it professionally came from a student who was a couple of years ahead of him in school, called Anthony Kearns.
“He is one of Ireland’s finest singers and introduced me to Veronica, and I haven’t looked back since. I am still at it a long time later. It has diversified from just performing and singing to hosting events and promoting them. It’s a varied experience I have in the music business, because I see it from both sides as a performer and promoter.”
Back in 2015, Des started a new venture with Des Willoughby Promotions, which has now turned into a leading event management company based in Wicklow.
“We have always tried to promote our own concerts but then I would have put on weekend events like concerts and dancing events together across Ireland in different hotels and put packages together.
“The ‘Stars On The Costa’ is an accumulation of that. We have now decided to bring a couple of hundred people away on a holiday with us. It’s accumulated into a trip away to the sun,” he explains.
Redeveloping the band
The reason they reduced the family band down to four was because it was becoming more difficult to get all six brothers together all the time, as everyone’s lives changed with families and different work commitments.
Des Willoughby in the Ballybeg House, Co Wicklow. \ Tom Clarke
“We reduced it down to the four guys who were able to have this time and space to commit to it more. We did one album as Celtic Brothers, and then COVID-19 hit, and there was a bit of a pause on what we were doing as Celtic Brothers. We’re back promoting that now as well,” he explains.
It was a very difficult time for everyone in the entertainment business during the lockdown because of the restrictions around events; it was at a standstill, he says.
“In fairness to the government, the support came. They came a little bit late, but when they did come, they were very supportive, particularly the Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS), which helped us put events on and reduced the risk. That was important that we were able to get back out there, with the support of the LPSS fund and get back to doing gigs. Slowly but surely it has all come back,” Des explains.
Following on from the success of last year’s trip, Des and Richie are due to host another music holiday, ‘Stars On The Costa’ in Calpe, Spain, taking place from 16-22 October.
“It’s a week in the sun filled with music and dancing in the form of concerts and dances. There’s a good mixture; some people will prefer a dance, and some people will prefer to sit and have a concert.
“We look after them as Richard and I are hosting it, so we’re around all the time, and people will get a great welcome. The week is planned for attendees, so they don’t have to think about what they have to do at night because we will entertain them each night.
“Our dad and his friends become the stars of the show in the afternoon because he hosts some informal music sessions with his friends,” explains Des.
Guests will stay at the four-star AR Diamante Beach & Spa Hotel with six nights’ accommodation on a half-board basis, daily poolside entertainment, nightly shows in an exclusive ballroom, dance workshops with Patricia Brady, and the support of the Country Music Tours team throughout the trip.
Other artists featuring include Derek Ryan, Foster and Allen, Mary Byrne, Louise Morrissey, Robert Mizzell and Olivia Douglas.
For more information on bookings, call Sharon at Country Music Tours on 0873410550
SHARING OPTIONS