Brendan Shine is an Irish folk and country singer, television presenter and accordion player from Athlone. He is born in 1947 and becomes known as one of Ireland’s best-known entertainers through songs based on everyday Irish life.

Career

Shine starts out as a barman and sets up Shine’s Bar in Baylough, Athlone, opposite St Comans Park. His wife runs the pub, and although he later sells it, the name remains in place. He also lives in Moore, on the main road to Shannonbride, in an old two-storey farmhouse with a large attached farm.

He begins by playing in his father’s country band while still at school, and later performs in Kieran Kelly’s Ceili Band with schoolfriend Johnny Dawson, who still performs with him in the Brendan Shine Super Band. He first makes his name as an accordionist before moving into singing.

Recordings and chart success

Shine releases more than fifty albums and has over forty-five hit singles. He has five Irish number one singles. In 1971, he tops the Irish charts with “O’Brien Has No Place to Go”, which remains in the charts for five months. His other Irish number ones in the 1970s include “Where The Three Counties Meet” in 1973, “Abbyshrule” in 1974, “All My Roads Lead Back To You” in 1976, “How Much Time” in 1977, and “Do You Want Your Oul Lobby Washed Down”, which stays at number one for over six weeks and remains in the Top 50 for more than 40 weeks.

He is particularly associated with songs such as “Do you Want your Old Lobby Washed Down” and “Spuds”, which focus on ordinary Irish life. He also performs “Do You Want Your Oul Lobby Washed Down” for Pope John Paul II during the Pope’s visit to Ireland.

Television

Shine presents several television series in Ireland, including Nice and Easy and Shine On. He also appears on The Late Late Show and becomes a regular guest on The Lyrics Board in the 1990s, as well as performing on music and chat shows.