Ryan's Fancy
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Denis Ryan, Fergus O'Byrne, Dermot O'Reilly |
| Defunct | 1983 |
| Headquarters | St. John's , Canada |
Area served | Canada, Atlantic Canada |
| Products | Irish folk music albums and performances |
Ryan's Fancy was a Canadian-based Irish folk ensemble active between 1971 and 1983, featuring the multi-talented musicians Denis Ryan, Fergus O'Byrne, and Dermot O'Reilly, all originally from Ireland.
1967–1970: Beginnings
From 1967 to 1969, O'Byrne, O'Reilly, and Ryan immigrated from Ireland to Toronto in search of improved job opportunities. Although their initial intentions did not include pursuing music professionally, their Irish roots and musical abilities quickly embedded them within Toronto’s dynamic folk community. They started by performing at private gatherings and house parties, establishing an early presence in the Canadian Irish folk circuit.
Their first collaboration occurred as part of the Sons of Erin, alongside Gary Kavanagh, Mick Crowley, Ben Brooks, and leader Ralph O'Brien. This group toured Newfoundland in 1969, playing prominent venues throughout St. John's, Gander, Grand Falls, and Labrador during a six-week tour. Ryan joined the band following this initial Newfoundland tour.
O'Byrne, O'Reilly, and Kavanagh later departed from Sons of Erin to create O'Reilly's Men; however, this project was short-lived due to O'Reilly relocating to Montreal. Subsequently, Kavanagh and O'Byrne teamed up with Don Sullivan and Vik Heaney to form Sullivan's Gypsies. After Heaney left the band, O'Reilly and Ryan rejoined the lineup. This group conducted another tour of Newfoundland and performed in Manhattan in 1970.
1971: Establishing Ryan's Fancy
Following the dissolution of Sullivan's Gypsies, O'Byrne, O'Reilly, and Ryan established Ryan's Fancy, naming the group after a jig composed by Ryan during their earlier collaboration. Their inaugural show took place at Toronto’s Nag's Head pub, followed by additional performances in Toronto and Halifax. In March 1971, they appeared at the Hotel Newfoundland in Newfoundland.
1972–1983: Relocation to Newfoundland and Rising Prominence
In 1971, the trio moved to St. John's, Newfoundland to enroll at Memorial University of Newfoundland. They rapidly gained popularity within the local music scene, drawing attention from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC produced the series Ryan's Fancy, which highlighted their performances throughout Atlantic Canada. This was succeeded by Tommy Makem and Ryan's Fancy during the 1970s. Dublin-born accordionist James Keane joined as a fourth member but departed in 1983 shortly before the band's breakup. Keane later became a key figure in New York City's traditional music community.
1983–present: Breakup and Legacy
Following the group's breakup, Ryan relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, while O'Byrne and O'Reilly remained in St. John's. O'Byrne returned to Memorial University and subsequently served as director of the St. John's Folk Arts Council; he also chaired the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival from 1990 to 1991.
O'Reilly launched Piperstock Productions in 1993, producing 25 albums and continuing live performances alongside O'Byrne in St. John's until his passing from a heart attack on 17 February 2007 at age 64.
In recognition of their contributions, Ryan's Fancy was honored with the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award by the East Coast Music Association in 2004.
Members
- Denis Ryan – lead vocals, fiddle, tin whistle (1971–1983)
- Fergus O'Byrne – vocals, banjo, concertina, bodhran (1971–1983)
- Dermot O'Reilly – vocals, guitar, mandolin (1971–1983; deceased 2007)
- James Keane – accordion (1980–1983)
Discography
- Ryan's Fancy Sung by Sullivan's Gypsies (1970)
- Curraghs, Minstrels, Rocks and Whiskey (1971)
- An Irish Night At The Black Knight Lounge (1971)
- Dark Island (1971)
- Looking Back (1972)
- Newfoundland Drinking Songs (1973)
- Times To Remember (1973)
- Ryan's Fancy Live (1975)
- Brand New Songs (1977)
- A Time With Ryan's Fancy (1979)
- Sea People (1980)
- Dance Around This One (1981)
- 15 Drink-a-Long Songs (Cassette reissue of "An Irish Night at the Black Knight Lounge") (1982)
- Irish Love Songs (1982)
- Ryan's Fancy Live (CD reissue combining "An Irish Night at the Black Knight Lounge" and "15 Drink-a-Long Songs") (1995)
- Songs From The Shows (2001)
- What a Time! A Forty Year Celebration (2011)