Declan, from Mayobridge in County Down has been a member of the band since 2015.
His musical journey began aged 6, learning the tin whistle, button accordion and piano. He joined Mayobridge Marching Band at an early age, and played in the band when they won their three-in-a-row Senior All-Ireland Fleadh titles from 1999 to 2001.
Declan grew up learning and playing music alongside his siblings, Darren and Donna, with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann craobh Rinn Mhic Giolla Rua and was a member of grupaí ceoil and céilí bands for many years. He was a member of the group ‘Ioscaid’ who won the Siansa Gael Linn competition in 2010 and were subsequently awarded the BBC Young Folk Award in 2012.
Declan’s greatest influence was and remains to be his piano tutor and mentor, the late Brendan Gaughran, pianist with the Siamsa Céilí Band, Dundalk, who won 3-in-a-row Senior Céilí Band titles from 1967 to 1969. Brendan also achieved the same feat in solo piano in the years 1960 to 1962.
Declan can often be found playing piano in the line-up of a céilí band, or accompanying musicians at concerts and sessions, and has developed a distinctive and sensitive accompaniment style through his years of playing.