He was born on 13 July 1963, in the village of the Rock, County Tyrone[1] (outside Pomeroy), an area immersed in traditional music.

The third of eight children, Hayden was born into an environment steeped in traditional Irish music; his father and both of his grandfathers all played the fiddle, with his father playing tenor banjo as well, inspiring Hayden as a boy to learn both instruments.

Additionally, his mother was a pianist, often accompanying traditional musicians.

As a young man, Hayden competed in the Fleadh Cheoil ([ˌfʲlʲaː ˈçoːlʲ]; English: "music festival"), Ireland's yearly international music competition-festival, winning the category of All-Ireland Champion on both banjo and fiddle.

He is an original member of the group Four Men and a Dog, whose debut album, Barking Mad (1991), won Folk Roots' Best New Album award the year of its release.