The White Horse Guitar Club

From a rainy evening in their local pub in Ballincollig, Co. Cork in 2012 to sold-out tours, millions of online views, and a performance for President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina at Áras an Uachtaráin, an early sign of how far their sound would travel, The White Horse Guitar Club has become one of Ireland’s most loved and distinctive musical collectives.

The eleven-man band formed after an open call by Joe Carey at The White Horse pub. What began as a casual gathering around songs and stories has grown into a celebrated musical force, praised for its rich harmonies, emotional resonance, and soulful reinterpretation of folk, Americana, and traditional Irish music. 

What followed was something rare: a musical brotherhood, built on friendship, trust, and a deep reverence for the storytelling traditions. “The band is very much based around camaraderie, friendship, and joy — sometimes a missing facet in bands,” says founder Joe Carey. “All eleven of us sing in unison, harmony, and melody. The sound of eleven guitars adds a unique dimension, and on paper, it shouldn’t work – but it does.”

A Sound That Travels and Resonates

Their moving cover of Townes Van Zandt’s “If I Needed You” has reached over 1.7 million YouTube views, capturing the attention of audiences worldwide. BBC’s Cerys Matthews described them as “a band that is taking Ireland, and the rest of the world, by storm.” Their music is a regular feature on Irish radio, championed by John Creedon, Fiachna Ó Braonáin, and Tom Dunne.

Having performed for President Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin. The President later said:

“There is an authenticity to The White Horse Guitar Club’s performance… Good for the heart and soul – the music knows no borders.”