Mad Dog Mcrea blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music. From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs of gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies – Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs. In constant demand and having played just about every festival and two-bit, jibe-arsed dive in Christendom, Mad Dog Mcrea are, in every sense of the word, a live, band.

Matched with the unshakable dedication of their massive and “loyal-to-the-hilt”, fan base – Mad Dog Mcrea are more than just a very popular, festival act – with five albums under their belts, they are serious and acclaimed recording artists too. During 2019 Mad Dog Mcrea will be in the studio recording a new album.

The famous purple happy bus is fired up and ready for action, and there’s room for you – jump aboard!

“It’s always a joy to me when something jumps up and smacks you between the eyes – Mad Dog Mcrea did that to me” – Mike Harding

“A sound mixed, mashed and finely honed through years of live gigs” – Rock ‘n Reel Magazine

“This is rowdy, heartfelt, room shaking and spirit-stirring music that only the dead can’t enjoy.” – ltdstate.com

“Musical magicians Mad Dog Mcrea are synonymous not only with a damn good party but also quality musicianship and the odd surprise” – Talk Torbay

New Album Almost Home Reviews

“This is music that transcende the run-of-the-mill Irish Wannabes and leaves them standing.” – Acoustic Magazine

“An anarchic mix of styles, fantastic!” – Genevieve Tudor (BBC Radio Shropshire)

“The standout part of this album is the superb balance between vocals and instruments. Every track is perfectly clear and with such a diversity of instruments it is a huge tribute to Lakeman that every word is crystal. It is also a tribute to the distinctive voice of guitarist Michael Mathieson.” – 5 stars – Irish Post

“Mad Dog Mcrea perfectly fuse traditional folk songs with a grittier folk rock sound, tinged with notes of Jazz and Bluegrass. Almost Home reaches new depths – from within their ‘self penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life to traditional tales of gypsies, fairies and pirates’.” – Fatea Records

Crawling with vivid imagery and colourful characters, a timeless tangle of tongue-twisting, brain-burrowing lyrics that can swing from a breathless barrage to a lilting lament - at times without a moments notice - ’Old Sea Legs’ is more than just a nom de guerre for Dublin songwriter and performer Ian Bermingham; it is a window into a world entirely of his own creation.

Best known for his time as frontman of Dublin quintet 'The Eskies', Bermingham has wasted no time in stepping into new, uncharted waters as a solo performer since the group's sad demise in the latter half of 2019.

Displaying all of the storytelling nous and craft of the quintessential folk troubadour, the melodic ear of a pop pioneer and the lyrical largesse that has become so synonymous with Ian’s songwriting, ‘Old Sea Legs’ see’s the Dubliner push himself to new and exciting territories.