'A few pound and free drink was a good encouragement': Cormac Begley on Kerry sessions and his viral marching tune 

Cormac Begley's famous take on a traditional marching tune is rooted in his family connection to soldiers who fought in the Battle of Kinsale 

Cormac Begley plays in Cork Opera House in May. Picture: Oda Dineen

Music is the family business for Cormac Begley. The West Kerry concertina player was born into it – his dad, Breanndán, is an accordionist and singer, his uncle the late, great Séamus Begley, a sweet singer and accordion player, Tommy 'An Lord' O’Connor, an uncle on his mother’s side, also an accordian player. Begley got into music in earnest as a 16-year-old, playing gigs around the Dingle Peninsula.

“My brother, who’s about two years older, started playing guitar,” explains Begley.