Drummer boy Daniel is world U16 champ

A 15-year-old drummer from Ballyvolane is on top of the world after winning the World Juvenile Under 16 Solo Drumming Championship in Glasgow.

Daniel Mulcahy, who plays with the Carrigaline Pipe Band and the Belfast Croskelt Pipe Band, added the world championship to the Munster, Ulster and All-Ireland titles he has already won this year.

The St Aidan's Community College pupil has had music drummed into him from a young age.

“I love drumming,” Daniel said.

“I got great support from my school and they allowed me the time to practice the week before the championships.

“I'll do it again next year and try and win more competitions. I'll definitely be drumming for the rest of my life.” 

His proud mother, Mary, said a combination of family musicality and local support has seen Daniel singled out as a huge drumming great since a very young age.

"He's drumming about six years,” she said.

“We are very proud of him, it's fantastic. He worked very hard for it and he has great support from Carrigaline Pipe Band and their teachers. They are fantastic with him. He just loves drumming. He'll be into this for the rest of his life.

“He started drumming lessons with Ian Walsh in Dublin Hill of Cork band Pontious Pilot and the Naildrivers. Ian saw that Daniel has great potential and recommended that his style would be great in a pipe band.

“We checked it out in our local area and St Finbarr's had a hall at Glen Rovers and he used to practice there. He progressed from that onto Carrigaline Pipe Band.

“My husband's family were always into music. My father-in-law used to play in the Donal Ring band so there has always been music in the background," Mary added.