Flanagan Brothers

Their choice of instruments and related skill gave them a unique sound, which led them to become one of the leading attractions in New York City's Irish dancehalls during the 1920s and 1930s.

They became a household name among Irish entertainers and were on par with the other great The Flanagan brothers—Joe, Louis, and Mike—were born at the end of the nineteenth century and raised in the city of Waterford, on the south coast of Ireland.

The family subsequently returned to Waterford and settled in a three-room house on Summerhill Terrace where five more children were born – two girls and three boys.

Thomas, the family's last child, arrive three years later but was frail from birth and his absence from official records suggest that he died in infancy.

The children were educated at the local school – conducted by religious order, the De La Salle Brothers – not far from the family home near Waterford's city center.

Father Arthur played the single row accordion or melodeon, while mother Ellen was a singer with a large repertoire of Irish songs, which she taught to her children.

Mike recalled that his first introduction to playing music was in Waterford when, at the age of ten, he plucked out a tune on a charred mandolin he had recovered from a fire.

Following the release of their first disc, the brothers’ career continued to progress as they recorded for labels like Emerald, Gennett, and Vocalion, but they moved into the big league when they joined Columbia in 1923.

Recurring ill health made Lou's role in the trio uncertain from this time, but Joe and Mike continued their act as a duo and added musicians for dancehall and studio work, as required.

The Flanagan Brothers epitomized the flood of Irish musicians into America – their arrival in the big cities, the emergence of the recording and entertainment industries, the dance halls, and radio broadcasting – all of the things that are associated with the era.

After their recording career peaked and the popularity of the dancehalls in New York City began to wane, the brothers became focused on their respective families and moved on from playing together.

The renewed interest in his and his brothers’ music accorded Mike an interview on national television and an official civic reception in his hometown of Waterford during the visit.

Accompanied by De Dannan founding member Frankie Gavin and noted accordionist Paul Brock, Mike gave an impromptu performance at Shannon International Airport while waiting for his plane back to New York.

In 2016, the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ), the primary Irish organization dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland, created The Mike Flanagan Award for Outstanding Achievement in Banjo due, in part, to the efforts of noted musician and scholar Mick Moloney.

In 2009 My Irish Molly O from The Flanagan Brothers was included in Topic Records 70 year anniversary boxed set Three Score and Ten as track seven on the third CD.