mike hanrahan
About
Mike Hanrahan 
 
 
Mike Hanrahan Songwriter/ Author/ Musician/Producer

 
1977  It all started with Maura O Connell in a duo called TUMBLEWEED  singing Irish and Americana contemporary folk songs. 
1980 to present  Stockton’s Wing guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Wrote the songs on Stockton's Wing’s ground-breaking and critically acclaimed Album LIGHT IN THE WESTERN SKY (1984) including hit BEAUTIFUL AFFAIR ( voted into top 75 all time Irish songs) and WALK AWAY.
The Wing Toured extensively around the world collaborating with many artists developing a soundscape drawing from various world music  genres, traditions and influences to create the inimitable and unique sound that was and still is Stockton’s Wing. 
1989 Sammy Davis Junior invited the band to perform with him at his Lansdowne Road shows in Dublin. 
In 1990 Stockton's Wing feature in the famous dance scene  in the Noel Pearson/Jim Sheridan film production of the John B. Keane play "THE FIELD" with Oscar nominee Richard Harris and John Hurt. 
Played at both Michael Jackson gigs in Cork 1988.
Left Stockton’s Wing in 1994 to tour with Finbar Furey and pursue a solo career in Europe recording his first album for German label Wundertutte Someone Like You.
A collaboration with Ronnie Drew on his 1997 theatre show ‘Ronnie I hardly knew Ya’ began a friendship and music journey that would last until Ronnie’s untimely death in 2008. They had  several runs in Dublin, a successful Off Broadway run and countless tours across Europe. Mike produced four albums for Ronnie including two with Ronnie and Eleanor Shanley which gave the world their  iconic duet ‘A Couple More Years.’ 
One of his favourite gigs was Musical Director for the critically acclaimed theatre show Legends of Irish Folk featuring the icons of Irish folk music, Ronnie, Liam Clancy, Finbar Furey, Johnny McAvoy, Jim McCann, and Paddy Reilly. 
Currently performs with a reunited Stockton’s Wing who signed with Universal records and released a back-catalogue collection in Jan of 2020. Stockton’s Wing Beautiful Affair A Retrospective It went to number one in sales and download charts. A live album Hometown was released February 2022. 
During lockdown he recorded A River rolls on inspired by his mums’ journey though dementia, released in May 2021 featuring Mike, Lisa Lambe, Sandy Kelly and The Forgetmenots choir. All proceeds to help develop creative projects for those living with memory loss.
Chase the moon, first solo single, released Oct 2021.Top ten hit.
April 22 2022 release of Spindrift a collaboration with Gavin Glass 
The Ballad of The Crimson Warrior, a short music film inspired by the Irish Cultural Revolution was presented at MKE Milwaukee Fest and Templebar Tradfest 22. Filmed and recorded by Aldoc.  Original soundtrack and film on general release from August 22 featuring a duet with Sive. 
A  new album ‘Songs from the box room’ is currently in the Orphan studio in Wexford  with co producer Gavin Glass, due for an autumn release.
He writes and performs with Leslie Dowdall and Eleanor Shanley
A few gigs in the pipeline with Pat Shortt 
2022 Ambassador Clare Age Friendly 
2022 Writer in Residence Áras Chronáin Clondalkin Irish centre
His Memoir , Beautiful Affair a journey in music food and Friendship published by Haroer Collins was shortlisted at The National Book awards 2019. 
Mike is a trained cook in organic produce.