Shay Sweeney

Ireland

Shay Sweeney is a session musician based in Ireland, specialising as a drummer with extensive experience across a broad range of genres and performance settings. His main instruments are drums, banjo, mandolin and guitar. He has worked with acclaimed Irish acts including Hudson Taylor, Ham Sandwich, Aldoc, The Eskies, Pine the Pilcrow, among many others.

Shay has performed throughout the UK, Europe, Australia, and Fiji, and has appeared at numerous major festivals and venues across Ireland. In December 2019, he played one of his most notable shows with Hudson Taylor at the 3Arena, Dublin, performing to a crowd of over 13,000 people. In 2022, Shay played to his biggest crowd yet with Hudson Taylor at the Colors of Ostrava Festival in Czech Republic, playing to a
crowd of 35,000 people.

As a recording artist, Shay has contributed drums to ten albums, six EPs, and numerous singles, showcasing his versatility and professionalism in the studio environment. He has recorded with artists such as Molly O'Mahony, Blue Fish Diamond, Laura Ryder, Lowli, Lisa Gorry, The Eskies, Pine the Pilcrow, Laura Jo, Hibsen, Harry Hudson Taylor and more.

In addition to his performance work, Shay is actively involved in music education. He currently works with Music Generation Limerick/Clare, and has previously held roles with Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan, BIMM Dublin, Tempo Music, and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Shay holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Modern and Commercial Music and a Diploma in Professional Musicianship from BIMM Dublin, accredited by Technological University Dublin. Most recently, he completed a Master’s Degree in Irish Traditional Music Performance at the University of Limerick, majoring in banjo.