Best known for her work with the button accordion, Sharon Shannon shot to fame in 1991 when her self-titled debut album set an historic precedent, becoming the best-selling traditional Irish music collection ever released in Ireland. In 2007, she set another record when her beautiful song, Galway Girl, was hailed as Ireland’s most downloaded track, earning her the prestigious Meteor Lifetime Achievement Award.
Fast forward four decades and Sharon has notched up an impressive body of work. Among her successful albums, Out of the Gap, The Diamond Mountain Sessions, The Reckoning and Now! remain firm favourites with audiences all over the world. Her ability to blend Irish reels and jigs with a variety of genres, including funk, rock and reggae, has resulted in collaborations with some of music’s heavyweights, among them Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, Sinéad O’Connor, U2 and Bono.
Now, ahead of her performance at Derry’s Millennium Forum on June 7, where she, along with two of Ireland’s most celebrated female artists, Mary Coughlan and Frances Black, will treat audiences to a musical extravaganza, Sharon took to Zoom to chat about her music, céilís in Japan and why she couldn’t hack being an uillean piper.
Sharon Shannon in Salthill, Galway in February 2026. PICTURE BRENDAN DUFFY (Brendan Duffy)
“I had such an idyllic childhood growing up on our farm,” she says, her Irish lilt soft but instantly recognisable. “I enjoyed being with all our animals, but especially the horses. I rode bareback, with no saddle, and it was such a thrill. At the time, my family trained ponies and were also involved with show-jumping events, which I absolutely loved.
As a child, I thought the accordion was a sort of magical-looking instrument
— Sharon Shannon
“I was an outdoors girl and had no interest in school. Although I did enjoy art, but only the painting and drawing aspects. I hated all the other subjects! Music was taught in school, but it was classical and I wasn’t keen. Even then, I was mad about traditional Irish music.”
Traditional Irish music may not have made it into the school curriculum, but it was very much a part of Sharon’s family life. Her father and mother, aka ‘Mammy and Daddy Shannon’, had a deep love for Irish music, while her three siblings played a range of instruments, including banjo, tin whistle, flute and bouzouki.
“The first instrument I learned to play was the tin whistle, but I’ve always loved the accordion. As a child, I thought the accordion was a sort of magical-looking instrument. It was also easy to get some sort of sound from it, so it was immediately rewarding.
Legendary Irish accordion player Sharon Shannon 
Mary Coughlan, Sharon Shannon and Francis Black will perform at Derry’s Millennium Form on June 7, 2026
“We started going to céilís in nearby villages. They were great craic and I enjoyed them immensely. But it wasn’t just about having fun because those Friday night dances and music sessions taught me all the traditional songs. I mean, after three hours, they kind of stuck in my head.
“Before long, I was invited up on stage to play with the band. Can you imagine? For me, a young girl, getting up there and playing with the band was a great thrill! You know, I’ve had many memorable moments in my career but, later on, when I was in my early twenties, getting to play with The Waterboys, who were massive then, was a dream come true.”
Sharon Shannon learned to play accordion as a child
With an international following, the singer has put Co Clare on the musical map, but she says nowhere is traditional Irish music more appreciated than in Japan.
“I’ve been going to Japan for years and I find it incredible how Irish music has taken root there. I mean, it’s huge! I don’t know what triggered the passion, but Riverdance might have had something to do with it. They introduced our beautiful music to countries all over the world.
“When I’m on stage, they get very involved and show their appreciation. Do you know, the Japanese even have Irish music sessions in pubs and are learning to dance? Imagine a céilí in Japan?!”
She’s mastered the accordion, but there is one instrument she’d love to play that she eventually decided wasn’t for her.
“Oh, I love the (uilleann) pipes! They are such a beautiful instrument and I’d have loved to have been a piper. At one time, I did attempt it and found the finger technique is almost the same as it is for the tin whistle. But, oh my goodness, it’s a workout!
“It’s so physical that you’d be black and blue after a session. It’s very demanding and I just wasn’t prepared to put in the work. There are a lot of great pipers today and I have nothing but respect for them. There’s no doubt the pipes make lovely music, except at the beginning when you’re still trying to master them. Then it’s terrible — and very loud!”
When she isn’t busy making music, she likes nothing better than being at home in Salthill, Galway, with her pets.
“I’ve always had rescue animals, but at the minute I have five dogs and six cats. My idea of heaven is to be with my animals, sitting in front of the fire, feeling nice and comfy, just taking it easy. I also love being outdoors, taking the dogs for a walk.”
Sharon has often cited shyness as the reason she dislikes being in the spotlight. Now, as the subject of an RTÉ documentary, she reveals how she coped with the intrusive nature of filming.
“It took a long time to do it!” she laughs. “Seriously though, it took 18 months and over 100 hours to complete. It helped that the producers were friends of mine and came with me to gigs, even in Japan. They helped make it comfortable for me.
“It was great with the people, but I’m not good with the speaking. I find it hard to think fast enough and can’t always find the vocabulary to articulate what I’m trying to say. They were very patient with me.”
Having headlined some of the most iconic venues in the world, including the Kennedy Center in Washington and London’s Wembley Arena, the Irish musician is now looking forward to performing for her home crowd.
Read more: “I never won an All-Ireland Fleadh” – Irish accordion legend Sharon Shannon – The Irish News
“I’ve been all over the world and visited some incredibly beautiful places. But for me, Ireland is the best. There is always a connection with the crowd, a sense of coming home.
“Frances Black, who is Mary Black’s sister, and Mary Coughlan are great friends of mine and we’ve performed together for over 15 years. This is a show audiences love. They’ll be on their feet, singing along and clapping.
“The girls are very funny, so there’s a lot of laughter, and we always meet the people after the show.”
Laughter, music and good friends seem the perfect recipe for a great night out.
Sharon Shannon, Mary Coughlan & Frances Black will perform at the Millennium Forum, Derry on Sunday, June 7, 2026. For tickets visit: etickets.millenniumforum.co.uk