Daithi Rua is an Irish musician and songwriter from County Offaly. Born to musical parents he joined their local folk band from an early age. Later as a teenager, Daithi took part in several musical productions both in school and in local musical societies.
No stranger to treading the boards, he went on to win several talent shows and busking competitions.
In the Late 80’s Daithi had his first taste of the scene when he opened in the UK for Manchester based band Toss the feathers featuring original members Eddie Sheehan, Mike McGoldrick& Dezi Donnelly. In the early Nineties Daithi was invited to play Dublin’s premier venue
The Olympia Theatre as support to The Big Geraniums...
By the time he left school he had been making a living from music and had started writing songs.
In the Mid Nineties Daithi had been actively involved in the Irish music scene and went on to form a successful Celtic rock outfit called Sans Souci which led to some European festivals and ultimately tours in the Middle East with Davey Arthur of Furey’s fame.
Now based in Belgium, Daithi has worked with many Fine performers and musical outfits such as KADRIL, Aidan Burke, COMAS, Urban Trad, Helen Flaherty and Ed Veltrop as well as continuing to be a highly sought after solo artist.
Daithi has had many recordings big and small over the years and his songs have also been recorded by some well established acts like The Furey’s and Davey Arthur, Helen Flaherty, Randall Williams to name a few.
Daithi has shared the stage with many fine Irish and European artist over the years. Names include...
Clannad, the Waterboys, Kieran Goss, Mary Coughlan, Freddie White, Eleanor McEvoy, Urban Trad, The Furey’s and Davey Arthur , Wally Page and fellow Offaly man Johnny McEvoy
Daithi has also been stand in Guitarist for European Rockers Urban Trad and in 2009 with
Moya Brennan (the voice of Clannad) on her UK Heartstrings tour.
Daithi Rua’s fan base is ever increasing and he has been acknowledged by his contemporaries in the music industry to be an artist of great future potential who has all the qualities essential to make it in the music business. I first met Daithi Rua when we did a gig together on the banks of the river Shannon in his native Co. Offaly in the early nineties. Although a contemporary folk musician and writer, I was struck with his integrity and sensitivity of his native roots, unlike so many post-modern Irish writers. His recorded work is filled with warmth, commitment and originality and with the didactic quality so central to genuine art." - Jimmy Crowley
“Real deal singer songwriter” – Davey Arthur
"It seems like only yesterday that a little red haired boy came for his first guitar lesson. How the years have flown and David a.k.a. Daithi Rua has matured into the dynamic player, singer, songwriter which the world knows today. Keep up the good work - we watch your every move with great anticipation!" - Tony Holleran