I was watching “Come West Along the Road” tonight and I saw a couple clips of Des O’Conner. He’s a name I’m not too familiar with. I listened to him several times and I could speculate where he’s from but I’m not certian. Where is he from and are there any recordings of him out there?
Thanks
I’ve only see CWATR once a long time ago and in not ideal conditions so can’t remember much about it - but you may mean Desi O’Connor who is a very well-known flute player from the North, Derry is it? and who certainly has recorded.
He’d be in his 50s now I’d say. He was in Montreal last summer, comes over quite often to practice his French (he spent a few years in Britanny and has written a doctorate or published something on Breton music). Has a nice way with a song too.
If that’s yer man, search with Desi as the first name and I’m sure you’ll find loads.
Whoops, Steve, yer thinking of Desi Wilkinson.
Des O’Connor was listed in Breathnach’s collections as a whistle player from Ballinasloe, Co. Galway; I believe this is the guy Jack’s referring to.
Thanks Brad, sorry Jack.
See!?! That’s what happens when you take up the box. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. 
Yes I think you’re right Brad because his playing points him to be somewhere from around Galway… does Breathnach mention anything else about the guy?
I wondered if there might be anything about him in Fintan Vallely’s epic tome, but he doesn’t rate a mention. I did have a feeling he used to play with the late John Kelly, and that crew, and indeed , he is mentioned as being a neighbour of John Kelly and having played music with him in “The Four Seasons” in Dublin in the 70s. I’m sure I saw a reel called “Dessie O’Connor’s” on a CD or LP sleeve note somewhere, but can’t think where it was. There may be information in those notes, and if I find them, I’ll get back.
[ Oh, and Desi W just turned 50 last year - and he wasn’t the only one!]
Maybe it’s Des O’Connor who had a TV show in the US in the mid 1970’s? http://www.des-oconnor.com/ I remember watching it - it was kind of like Kraft Music Hall and may have been the summer replacement for that show. Haven’t thought of him in years!
Hello
I believe that Brian O’ Connor (flute player who lives in Germany) is a son of Des.
Regards
John Moran
He is still a popular entertainer in the UK.
He is also famous for his terrible singing.
Mukade