His highly acclaimed performances are always noted for their stylistic awareness, with equal measures of delicacy and virtuosity, ”…firing the imagination and touching the heart.” –

Carlos Bonell

Darragh’s musical life began at the age of seven, studying violin with David Lillis at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. Later changing to classic guitar, Darragh studied many different styles of music before attending classes with Carlos Bonell at Royal College of Music London.

During his time in London, Darragh earned his Bachelor and Masters degrees in performance and composition. Upon graduation from London College of Music, Darragh took both their British Reserve String Prize and the Louis Krasner Award for most outstanding string recitalist, being the first Irish musician to receive these coveted awards.

Descriptive, openly charming, and so based on traditional guitar techniques that they seem to spring from inside the instrument…

The Irish Times

His debut CD Fountain features Darragh’s own original compositions for solo guitar alongside a collection of his arrangements of some of the guitar’s best-loved baroque classics, including music by J.S.Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, Gaspar Sanz and Turlough Carolan.

Together with his solo guitar pursuits Darragh is also a member of Dublin Guitar Night Quartet along side Hugh Buckley (Jazz), John Walsh (Flamenco), and Pat Farrell (Blues) and has been invited to share the stage as featured soloist on numerous television broadcasts with such international acts as Enrique Iglesias, (MTV Awards) West-end’s Michael Ball, and Russel ‘The Voice’ Watson, and for Vanessa Amorosi for her televised live appearance at the O2 arena Dublin.

Darragh O’Neill, is one of the best players, composers for guitar today … one of the best I’ve ever heard.

Bill Pilburn — Fingerstyle 360′ U.S. guitar magazine

Currently based in Dublin, Darragh, in addition to teaching his beloved students at Blackrock College and Rathdown Music School, is currently working on a new set of compositions for his forthcoming book and album entitled Shadow Box.

I have had the pleasure of enjoying Darragh O’Neill’s CD Fountain and his artistry is unsurpassed. Mr. O’Neill plays with with a virtuoso technique but still, always keeps the music in mind and in the foreground, just as it should be. I also enjoy many of his other compositions, finding them expressive, innovative and fun to play. I’m sure his new book will be well received among today’s classical guitarists.

Per-Olov Kindgren

Darragh O’Neill has the gift of knowing that to command your instrument alone closes a door on the possible. His mastery is that he gives the instrument itself an equal say in the music. His music breaths with something ‘other’ it threads water, its between worlds… ‘into the somnambulistic’ his music is ageless like all the good stuff. His playing is masterful. He listens while he is playing, a rare thing.

Glen Hansard

Darragh O`Neill is a guitarist with wonderful sensibility and artistry. He follows in the great and noble tradition of performer composers as a brilliant interpreter of his own music. As guitarist he brings delicacy and virtuosity in equal measure to other composers music as he does to his own. His music possesses a rare and deceptive simplicity, which touches the heart of the listener while at the same time firing the imagination.

Carlos Bonell

His set brought the house down! It was one of those rare things you only see every ten years.” (At ADGPA Italia, International Guitar Convention 2014)

Simon Fox

Darragh O’Neill is that rare combination of composer, arranger and performer that only comes along once in a long while. His talent and personality are a breath of fresh air on the guitar scene. I am honoured that he once took lessons from me.

Leslie Cassidy

…the fantastic Darragh O’Neill Ireland’s finest guitarist. I’ve not been able to stop listening to the six original compositions of his on his latest album.

Max Greenwood

You gotta check out this guy’s right hand…

Tommy Emmanuel

Your concert blew me away!

Gareth Pearson — On Darragh’s performance at ADGPA Italia, International Guitar Convention 2014

I finally got around to listening to Fountain and it’s a real gem. It’s a long time since I’ve heard such evocative rich melodies played like that. I have it playing on loop.

John Lambert — Chequerboard

O’Neill’s compositions are descriptive, openly charming, and so based on traditional guitar techniques that they seem to spring from inside the instrument.­ O’Neill’s most engaging qualities are his combination of subtle musicianship and knack for intimate music-making. His stylistic awareness matched the wide range of periods and compositional styles. The folk-influenced baroque style of Bach’s older Spanish contemporary, Gaspar Sanz, was captured with a flamenco-like flair.

The Irish Times

In his time at the London College of Music Darragh distinguished himself as a musician of immense potential, combining huge reserves of talent, intellect and resourcefulness. He is also noteworthy as a leader and a collaborator, stimulating inspiring projects and inspiring people to work together, which is a golden ability in our field. He has a chance to be a great ambassador for his art, both through his communicative and musical gifts.

Peter Sheppard Skaerved

Darragh O’Neill is one of the most talented and gifted musicians whom I have encountered in fifteen years of university teaching… he is an exceptionally proficient and musical classical guitarist… Darragh O’Neill is one of the most promising of our young musicians.

Harry White — Head of Music Department, University College Dublin

The Music of Darragh O’Neill is an important and refreshing addition to the guitar repertoire. Not only do his compositions contain a delightful spirit of originality, they also paint many pictures, giving the listener a sense of colour, mood and honesty. A beautiful collection of pieces, which will be a great asset to all performing guitarists and students alike. This new publication is very special and unique.

Pat Coldrick