Rémy Martin Cork Business Awards
Liam O’Connor was named the inaugural recipient of The Order of Saint Finbarr, the highest honour presented by Business Cork. The award recognises his 35-year career spent promoting Cork and Kerry through his unique musical blend and global performances.
The accordion maestro is known internationally as the “fastest fingers in the world,” holding a Guinness World Record, and has often been called "the Jimi Hendrix of the accordion." Business Cork created the new honour to acknowledge exceptional cultural contribution, choosing O’Connor as its first recipient.
In a remarkable night for the family, Liam’s daughter, Saoirse O’Connor, was also celebrated, winning the prestigious title of Cork Entertainer of the Year 2025.
Saoirse, a wonderful singer and teacher, was recognised for her talents and her part in the family’s musical journey, which spans generations and represents the best of both Cork and Kerry.
Liam to hit the highest notes with Culture Ireland
Killarney musician Liam O'Connor and his family band are to hit the Italian Alps bringing their brand of high tempo Irish music and dance to an Italian audience in the unique surrounds of a 14th century mountaintop castle overlooking the town of Verrès in northwestern Italy.
In the shadows of some of Italy’s highest peaks like Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) and Cervino (the Matterhorn), Liam is certain to be hitting the high notes with two concerts in the Castello di Verrès, which will take place on the 15th and 16th of February, thanks to grant funding received from Culture Ireland and a growing connection between the towns of Verrès and Killarney.
The concerts are the centrepiece events in this year's 77th rendition of the Alpine town’s medieval Carnevalecelebrations and an Irish delegation led by Verrès native and long-time Killarney resident Davide Mosca and Killarney Chambers and Killarney Celtic's Paul Sherry will be among the guests of honour.
Verrès hosted a visit by Killarney Celtic teams in 2023 and reciprocated with brilliant colour and sounds in their medieval costumes at the St. Patricks Day parade in Killarney in 2024. The town then hosted an Erasmus+ Youth exchange from Celtic in 2025 and they are bringing their Carnevale pageantry back to Killarney for the St. Patrick's Day festival in March.
Carnevale supremo Tiziana Balma is delighted with the deepening cultural, sporting and economic relationship between the Alpine town and Killarney. "Liams concerts are going to add a new layer in the relationship between our two communities. The whole Aosta Valley (province) is excited, and we are also looking forward to joining in Killarney’s St. Patricks Day parade"
-Ends
Irish Entertainment Awards 2026
Killarney-based musician Liam O’Connor told The Kerryman this week that he was delighted to have been named as winner of the Multi Instrumentalist of the Year award as part of the recently held Irish Entertainment Awards.
The ceremony was held at the Great Northern Hotel in Bundoran in Donegal last Wednesday night, October 29, and in Liam’s own words, he said it was “a bit of craic”.
It’s another award in a long list of accolades won by the Newmarket man over the course of his long and illustrious career on stage, and when asked if there was even any space left on the mantelpiece or trophy cabinet for this latest piece of silverware, he laughed and said “there’s always room for more!”
The win rounds out another great year of music and performing for Liam, which saw him perform twice across two different days at this year’s Electric Picnic festival, where he shared the bill with an impressive line-up of Irish and international stars, including Hozier, Kings of Leon, Becky Hill, Sam Fender, Chappell Roan, Mundy, and Orla Gartland.
His other career highlights include collaborations with Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley, Boy George, the famed Artane Band, the late Christy Dignam, actress Maureen O'Hara, actor Patrick Bergin, and many more.
He has sold out tours across the United States, Scandinavia, Italy and Australia, and played at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Radio City Music Hall in New York, Sydney Opera House, and Wembley Arena.
Electric Picnic 2025
ACCORDION MAESTRO O’CONNOR FOR SIXTH ELECTRIC PICNIC!
Killarney-based accordion champion Liam O’Connor has been added to the bill for the forthcoming Electric Picnic in Stradbally, Co Laois over the last weekend in August, 2025 and where he will perform twice on on separate days. He will join a star-studded programme of top Irish and international talents, including Hozier, Kings of Leon, Becky Hill, Sam Fender, Chappell Roan, Mundy and Orla Gartland.
This will be O’Connor’s sixth appearance at what has long been regarded as one of the premier musical festivals in Europe. He will play the Salty Dog Stage on Saturday, August 30 and the Hazel Wood Stage on Sunday 31.
As O’Connor himself says, “It’s a terrific honour to be invited to perform twice at such a wonderful event as Electric Picnic. This will be my sixth year and I’m especially excited to announce that my band will include members of my own family, with Saoirse on vocals, concertina and keyboards, Oisín, who plays guitars, keyboards and percussion, and Cillian on drums. Electric Picnic is a terrific family day out as well as an opportunity to see so many Irish artistshold their own among some of the best artists in the world.”
The man originally from Newmarket in County Cork is no stranger to such supercharged musical talent. His own musical CV is littered with the top names he has worked with, including Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley, rock star Boy George, the famous Artane Band, the late Christy Dignam, actress Maureen O'Hara, actor Patrick Bergin, and many more.
O’Connor has sold out tours in the United States, Scandinavia, Italy and Australia and performed in such hallowed music venues as the MGM Grand Las Vegas, Radio City New York, Sydney Opera House, Wembley Arena and performed for 170,000 people at All-Ireland Football and Hurling Finals and at Thomond Park Stadium for a Munster vs Australia rugby match.
Electric Picnic 2024
Electric Picnic 2024
FROM THE OLYMPICS TO ELECTRIC PICNIC-ANOTHER BIG YEAR FOR IRISH ACCORDION MAESTRO O’CONNOR
Killarney based ,Liam O’Connor has been added to the bill for the Electric Picnic 2024 in Stradbally, Co Laois from August 16 to August 18, only weeks after he’ll have performed at the legendary Irish house , O’Sullivans By The Mill on Boulevard de Clichy as part ofthe Paris Olympics celebrations.
He will join an Electric Picnic bill of top Irish and international acts of the calibre of Calvin Harris, Kylie Minogue, Bambie Thug, Damien Dempsey, Raye, The Waterboys, Wolfe Tones, Kneecap and Scratch. This will be O’Connor’s fifth appearance at the prestigious musical extravaganza.
As O’Connor himself says, “My annual appearance at Electric Picnic has become one of the key events in my musical diary. Indeed, it is a veritable family picnic for me as my band will comprise members of my own family, with Saoirse on vocals, concertina and keyboards, Oisín, who plays guitars, keyboards and percussion, and Cillian on drums. It’s both an honour and a privilege to be selected to play on a bill with such an exciting mix of Irish and global stars.”
The Cork-born O’Connor’s musical history suggests he’s totally at home in such glittering company. In the past he has collaborated with Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance,Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley, rock star Boy George, the famous Artane Band, the late Christy Dignam, actress Maureen O'Hara, actor Patrick Bergin, and many more.
In the years before becoming part of the Paris Olympic celebrations he sold out tours around the United States, Scandinavia, Italy and Australia and performed in such keymusic venues as the MGM Grand Las Vegas, Radio City New York, Sydney Opera House, Wembley Arena. Back home he entertained 170,000 people at the All-Ireland Football and Hurling Finals and at Thomond Park Stadiumfor a Munster vs Australia rugby match.
Paris Olympics 2024
Paris Olympics 2024
LiAM O’CONNOR TO ENTERTAIN IRISH AND INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FANS AT PARIS OLYMPICS
A substantial contingent of Irish sports fans will invade the French capital in July and August of this year for the OlympicGames, and there to entertain them will be the internationally renowned Liam O’Connor and his supercharged playing. O’Connor has been honoured with an invitation to perform live at the Team Ireland Supporters House at the legendary O’Sullivans By The Mill on Boulevard de Clichy.
O’Sullivans is right next door to the famous Moulin Rouge, so visitors and locals alike will have a unique opportunity to savour key aspects of Irish and French traditional culture without having to cross the road! According to O’Connor, “To be part of the Paris Olympics is a real honour, but to be invited to play our music for Irish and international sports fans puts the icing on the cake. Wherever Irish sports fans go they create a wonderfully warm atmosphere and we’ll be proud to be there us with them to cheer our athletes on.”
Also appearing on what promises to be another momentous night will be O’Connor’s family featuring daughter Saoirse on vocals, concertina and keyboards, son Oisín, who plays guitars, keyboards percussion and drums , and son Cillian on drums and percussion.
Nor will the Paris Olympics be the first time O’Connor and his music will have graced major sporting occasions. He has previously performed twice at the Ryder Cup golf tournament, at several All-Ireland Football and Hurling Finals and an international rugby clash at Thomond Park, Limerick!
Indeed, over a lifetime of dazzling music-making, Liam O’Connor has become a major ambassador for Irish music. His passion for live music performance has taken him around the Globe, from Slane Castle to the Sydney Opera House, not to mention World Expo China 2010, MGM Grand Las Vegas,Radio City Music Hall in New York and a host of other key venues and events.
Cork-born Liam now lives in Killarney, Co Kerry. His breath-taking performances blend Irish traditional music with a bewildering mix of blues, jazz, rock, reggae, samba, cajun and classical music. Given the popularity of the accordion in France, his Paris Olympics audiences are likely to include a fair number of captivated locals.
Embark on a mesmerizing musical journey led by Liam O'Connor, the "Jimi Hendrix of the accordion," alongside the St. Brendan's College Choir and the dynamic St. Brendan's College Music Group, featuring solo sensations.
Experience the seamless fusion of Irish traditional tunes and enchanting choral arrangements, revitalized by Liam O'Connor's accordion virtuosity. The auditorium will resonate with harmonious melodies as both choirs and musicians showcase the vibrant talent of Killarney's cultural scene.
In addition to the musical extravaganza, soccer legend Liam Brady will share his insights as a guest speaker.
Stay tuned for the announcement of a special guest singer, promising an extra layer of excitement to this already magical convergence of outstanding musical talents. This exclusive event guarantees an atmosphere of pure enchantment, a memorable fusion of extraordinary artists creating an unforgettable experience.
