09/02/2026
P R E S S R E L E A S E
‘Robbery With Violins
Joe O’Donnell, veteran Celtic Rock violinist, has more!
‘Robbery With Violins’ will be Joe O’Donnell’ first release since his 2017 reworking of ‘Gael’s Vision’, and his first new music release since ‘Into the Becoming’ in 2013. It comprises two collections, one traditional, the other original.
Between them they provide a panoramic over-view of Joe’s work through six decades of music-making, working with Irish luminaries such as Rory Gallagher, Phil Lynott and Henry McCullough (Wings, Joe Cocker). Recently Kneecap sampled Joe’s composition ‘Caravan’ for their hit single ‘3Cag’. He has also worked with notables such as Isla St. Clair and Alan Stivell.
The albums have been in development for several years with some of the recordings first taking shape in the 1970s. There are guest appearances from many of Joe’s past collaborators including Jim Litherland (Colosseum, Leo Sayer), Dave Lennox (Ginger Baker, Herbie Hancock), Steve Bolton (Atomic Rooster, Paul Young) and Fiachra Trench (Van Morrison, Paul McCartney). Joe’s most recent band Shkayla has been closely involved in bringing the project to completion.
‘Flags of Convenience’ presents traditional folk tunes, some of which Joe encountered as a teenager while playing for Irish dancing classes in Limerick. Others he picked up from fellow
musicians while touring in Scotland and Brittany. He ‘squirrelled away’ these tunes, waiting for the right time to deliver them in his own style. As a native Gaelic speaker Joe has chosen to sing several of the songs in Irish and Scottish Gaelic.
By contrast all the tunes on ‘Brave Banners’ are Joe’s original compositions. Some of these were begun many years ago with his then band mates. As time passed Joe was able to develop them with musicians he met along the road, and it has been completed through the efforts of current and recent musical comrades.
Single release imminent!
We are delighted to announce the release of ‘Pachpi Kozh / Oró Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile’ from ‘Flags of Convenience’ as a single out on February 16th. ‘Pachpi Kozh’ is a traditional Breton tune. ‘Oró Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile’ is a home-loving song written by Pádraig Mac Piarais (aka Patrick Pearce), the poet and teacher who went on to lead the 1916 Easter Rebellion in Dublin. (Say ‘Oro Say Doh Bat Bwalya’)
‘Robbery With Violins’ is due for release in Spring 2026. It will be available in digital and physical formats and more information will be provided at https://joeodonnellsshkayla.com and on Bandcamp. Enquiries to [email protected] and +44 (0)2476 275 807.
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Featured Feb 7, 2026 Press Release: Robbery With Violins Feb 7, 2026 Feb 7, 2026 Oct 23, 2025 New Music from Joe O’Donnell Oct 23, 2025 Oct 23, 2025 May 25, 2025 Interview with Joe O’Donnell May 25, 2025 May 25, 2025
