


The Official Site of Blarney Stone
Journey Through Music


St Paddy's Parade 2023
St Patrick's Day March 2022


Colin
Brendan
Terri
Phil
Blarney Stone: The Story
How They Got Here
Blarney Stone, established in November 2015, emerged from the Celtic Session at The Cardigan Bar in Sandgate. With a rich tapestry of musical experience, the group has become a cornerstone of the Celtic music scene in North Brisbane. Their energetic fusion of folk styles and diverse instruments creates an infectious atmosphere that resonates with audiences of all ages, captivating even the youngest listeners who can't resist dancing along to the lively Celtic rhythms.
Drawing from an extensive repertoire of beloved traditional songs and tunes, Blarney Stone presents a delightful mix of Irish, Scottish, and Australian music. Their sound is both authentic and refreshing, maintaining strong ties to tradition while offering a unique twist. Known for fostering a high level of audience participation, Blarney Stone ensures that every performance is an engaging and memorable experience, inviting listeners to join in the celebration of Celtic culture and music.

Meet the Band

Lead singer, Guitar
Phil Halpin
Phil's journey with the acoustic began over 40 years ago, and he has rarely set it down since. His love for performing has taken him from lively pubs to upscale restaurants, enchanting audiences everywhere he goes. Recently, he discovered the captivating world of Celtic music, embracing its rich traditions and vibrant community. With extensive in recording and live music production, Phil pours his heart into every performance, always eager to share his passion music.

Violin, Concertina, Whistle, Mandolin, Flute, Vocals
Brendan Williams
Brendan, the talented musician behind the name of The Blarney Stone, hails from Ireland where the iconic stone resides. Before making his way to Australia, he honed his skills playing the tin whistle and pipes, later discovering his passion for the fiddle while living in Darwin. Within the band, he showcases his versatility by playing the accordion, mandolin, and fiddle. With over a hundred weddings under his belt performing Scottish bagpipes, Brendan also teaches ukulele groups and sings bass in the Queensland Irish Choir, bringing years of experience from various renowned Celtic bands to every performance.

Bodhran, Drums, Percussion
Colin McAndrew
Colin has been a vital figure in the Scottish and Irish Pipe band scene for many years. Renowned for his exceptional drumming skills, he expanded his musical repertoire by taking up the bodhran several years ago. Since joining Blarney Stone in 2020, he has continued to impress audiences with his talent and passion for music.

Tenor Banjo, Octave Mandolin, Violin, Vocals
Terri Matthews
Terri's musical began with piano lessons at school, followed by teaching herself guitar at the age of . While studying at university in Sydney, she immersed herself in the local music scene, often found at the Paddington Green Pub enjoying the folk band "Raglan Road." Later in life, she expanded her talents by taking up the violin and joining the Brib Island Orchestra, eventually gravitating towards Celtic music with the Moreton Celtic Fiddle Club and Celtic Fusion. A seasoned performer, Terri has graced numerous festivals and Brisbane pubs, with a standout moment at Camp Gallipoli in 2015, and has recently embraced the Tenor Banjo and Irish Octave, delighting audiences her lively renditions of traditional folk ballads.
Our Gigs-
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Regular Gigs
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Cardigan Bar Sandgate: since 2015 every month -CURRENT
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Caboolture Historical Village: Heritage Fair June, Australia Day 2016-CURRENT
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Finnigan’s Chin Keperra 2024-CURRENT
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Brisbane Irish Festival Botanical Gardens 2022-CURRENT
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Australian Folk
We play twice a year at the Caboolture Historical Village: Australia Day and Heritage Day partnered with The Queensland Bush Poetry Society. We have a large repertoire of Australian Folk.

Gig History
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Jupiter’s Casino: St Patrick’s Day 2016
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Fox and Hounds Country Inn: St Patrick’s Day 2016
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Bribie RSL 2017, 2018
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Bramble Bay Bowls Club St Patrick’s Day 2020-2024
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Lefty’s Music Hall St Patrick’s gig 2019
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QIA Irish Evening 2017
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D’Arcy Arms St Paddy’s 2017
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D’Arcy Arms New Year 2017
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Redcliffe Fire Station Museum Markets 2018
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Celtic Corner Manly 2017- 2020
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Kedron Wavell RSL (Private function)
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Instrument Sound makers Expo 2017
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Moreton Bay Boat Club 2023-2024
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Jumping Goat’s Bar Margate: 2021- 2022

Traditional Irish
A look at our Repertoire: I’ll Tell me Ma, Boys of Killibegs, Black Velvet Band, Spanish Lady, Fields of Athenry, Molly Malone /South Wind, Galway Shawl, Wild Rover, Gypsy Rover, Dirty Old Town, Grace, Sweet Sixteen, Red Rose Café, Poor Ned, Brown Eyed Girl, Galway Girl, Whiskey in the Jar, Irish Rover, Parting Glass, Come out you Black and Tans, Hills of Connemara, Mursheen Durkin, Clare Island, Moondance, Rattlin’ Bog, Blarney Roses, Donegal Doll, Streams of Whiskey, The Roseville Fair, The Nightingale, Nancy Spain, Raggle Taggle Gypsy, Star of the County Down, Follow me up to Carlow, Rocky Road to Dublin, Belfast Mill Paddy Lay Back, Drunken Sailor, From Clare to Here, Dicey Riley, Hard Times, Leaving of Liverpool, P Stands for Paddy, The Rising of the Moon, Rare Ol’ Mountain Dew, The Blacksmith.
















