This duo has that typically Irish way of making everyone feel welcome, you will enjoy this show! They are marvelous musicians who sing and play traditional Celtic songs, both old and new. But how did this Irish lad and Texas lassie make this charming connection? For the whole story, read on...T

Tommy and Saundra’s paths crossed when she attended an annual traditional Irish music retreat in Midlothian, Texas, where Tommy was an Irish guest instructor on guitar and vocals. As they explored singing together, they discovered her alto harmonies to be a perfect match to his tenor vocals. The two married in Houston, Texas, in March 2010 and now live in Dingle, Ireland. In 2011, they opened O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub in Dingle which has gained a reputation for world class traditional Irish music. In 2015, National Geographic cited O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub as the go-to pub for traditional Irish music on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Prior to opening O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub, Tommy was a full-time touring musician. As a member of Sliabh Notes he recorded 3 albums. He also toured for years with Irish piper Paddy Keenan with whom he recorded a duet album, The Long Grazing Acre. He has also recorded two solo albums, Song Ablaze and Legacy. In contrast, Saundra followed a career in the medical profession. As a flight nurse, she flew with Aer Evac and worked as an ER nurse at Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston. She brings to the table a strong background in choir and folk singing. These skills are heard to great effect on their first duet album, Safe Home, which they released in early 2018 with album launches on both sides of the Atlantic. In late 2019 Tommy & Saundra enjoyed a visit to Dingle from Casey Driessen & family. They recorded a session with Casey as part of Casey’s “Global Music Exploration Project.” A track from this session, along with many other collaborations from six countries is now available on the album Otherlands: One. Their version of Janis Ian’s song, Better Times Will Come, along with many others. Recording can be found on Janis’ especially created site: bettertimeswillcome.com. This was a special recording session during the pandemic, aptly called the “Shelter in Place Sessions.”

Recently Tommy & Saundra were involved in two Traditional Irish Festivals in Ireland as well as playing and presenting music five nights a week at O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub. The O’Sullivan’s are gearing up to get back on their American tour trail, and St. Mary's is eager to host this delightful duo again.

St Mary's would like to thank Cultur Eireann for providing a grant to allow these talented musicians to travel here to promote Irish culture.