Noel is a native of Kerry and now lives in Dublin. He grew up in a family of eight where song, poetry, music and story were as much appreciated as forms of communication as everyday conversation.
Noel inherited the purity of his singing voice and his storytelling from his mother, Eileen, and his bohemian side from his dad, Harry. And, happily, is still learning from them. Music has been a source of inspiration and personal fulfillment for him for as long as he can remember. It is his touchstone with life's mystical side.
As a choirboy; and then with Siamsóirí na Ríochta in Tralee, both under the direction of Rev. Pat Ahern, he learned the rudiments and essence of singing, moving from the metronome to the throat to the diaphragm to the heart, onto the soul - where singing belongs.
In the National Concert Hall, Dublin, he has produced memorable celebratory tributes to legendary Irish writers, John B. Keane, Brendan Kennelly, and also Patrick Kavanagh on the centenary of his birth on 21 October, 2004. He has filmed some of these, and is, now that he has more time to renew his first love, ediitng them for publication in due course.
Music flows through the veins of so many works of great Irish writers. And Noel's singing articulates this in an entertaining, accessible, intelligent, sensitive, storytelling way.
Since headlining the main evening concert on Bloomsday in Saint Stephen's Green, Noel has been busy performing and recording.
It is clear that his willingness to expose, through music, a glimpse of his experiences along The Enchanted Way of life resonates with listeners everywhere.