Brian Farrell

Brian Farrell began his musical studies at the age of 10. He was particularly influenced by the guitar playing of singer songwriter James Taylor and spent most of his youth playing his songs. Brian is largely self thought but did initially take lessons with the late Barry Lawlor who was one of Ireland’s finest guitar teachers. Barry nurtured Brian and steered his career to successfully set him on the musical path to which he is still very indebted.



Brian studied and took masterclasses with many of the world’s leading classical guitarists including David Russell, Carlos Bonell, Costas Cotsiolis, Paul Gregory, Vladimír Mikulka to name but a few. He holds a Licentiate in teaching with the Trinity Guildhall College of Music London, a Performance and Associate Licentiate in performance and a BA (Hons) and Music Diploma with the Open University.

After winning all of the major Irish music competitions Brian’s performing career has taken him through many medias such as TV and radio and has played in many countries as far as Greece with many solo and ensemble performances.

His love for ensemble music is evident as he successfully performed with many groups such as the Turina Guitar Trio and the Tirando Guitar Quartet giving premières of works written for them. Scherzo for 3 Guitars (1988) Martin O’Leary, was written for the Turina Guitar Trio and was premièred in Dundalk Ireland. Omeros (1994) Benjamin Dwyer, written for the Tirando Guitar Quartet and was premièred in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland. Omeros was a special première as its composer Benjamin Dwyer joined the quartet for this works debut.

After teaching in Castleknock College (Ireland) for 6 years, Brian decided to setup his own classical and acoustic guitar teaching studio in the Castleknock, Blanchardstown, Coolmine, Dublin 15 area and 29 years later is still going strong. Brian also continues to teach as a satellite teacher for students studying classical guitar in the NUI Maynooth. Recently he has begun teaching via Skype and is proving to be very popular with students living around the world.

Recently Brian was presented with a work dedicated to him by composer Dr. Benjamin Dwyer - Four Japanese Prints - for Amplified Flutes and Piano which was given its world première in the National Concert Hall, Dublin last September 2009 with Susan Doyle (flutes) and Izumi Kimura (piano).