The Mighty Ploughboys

"We're back and Bigger in 2012!"
The Mighty Ploughboys

In 2008, five lads from Danbury, Connecticut set out on a mission to bring traditional Irish music to the rock mainstream. Since then, it has been a whirlwind of TV appearances, arena shows, the "Hat City Irish" debut CD, and now the highly anticipated sophomore effort "Mighty Ploughboys". Patrick Hearty, Jim Lynch, Sean Finnerty, John Rich and Renato Ghio make up the band and have had the pleasure of sharing the bill with other Irish acts such as Gaelic Storm, Black 47, Great Big Sea and Enter the Haggis.

Ploughboys' Blog

Our latest TV Appearance on BetterCT
28 Mar

Check it out!
And the Boys Plowed On
21 Feb

Last Saturday night, to the cheers and applause of a large crowd, the Mighty Ploughboys celebrated the release of their newest self-titled CD, and the celebrated life of the recently departed founding member, Mike Smith. The festivities were held at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center, to the cheers of a packed house, full of family and friends. Read more at Bethel Buzz News ...
CD Release Party
23 Jan

CD Release of our second CD “Mighty Ploughboys” will be on Feb 11th 2012.
Goodbye
12 Jan

Mike Smith will surely be missed from the lineup ... but his legacy is still “rockin”...
"MPTV"
15 Dec

The first music video off the upcoming new CD is in the works.

The Band

Pat

Pat is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist. Growing up, Patrick spent almost every summer in his parents’ homeland, Northern Ireland, listening to the many songs and ballads in County Armagh. Born and raised in New Fairfield, CT, Patrick fronted “Firehouse Red” in the late 80s to early 90s and had helped form and lead sing in “Trooper Thorne” through the rest of the 90s. He performed for a short while as a solo act while residing in the Boston area. In 2001 Patrick returned to CT and decided to finally listen to his father’s advice and form an Irish Band.

Patrick’s main musical influence has always been his parents, Pete Hearty, a professional bagpiper and his mother, Mary, a singer and guitar player. His other Irish musical influences include The Wolfe Tones, The Saw Doctors and Paddy Reilly.
Mike

Iron Mike has misspent his young life roaming from the dusty plains of Texas to the streets of New York City always managing to somehow stay one step ahead of the law. In an attempt to make an honest living while still spending as much time as possible in Irish bars, Iron Mike joined The Mighty Ploughboys and is quickly building a reputation as the fastest guitar in the East.

Mike left us for the “Dream Gig” upstairs in January 2012 -- but his music, inspiration and spirit will always be the driving force of this band. We’ll never forget you ...
Jim

Jim got his start on his 10th birthday with a snare, a chair and a suitcase. After a while he graduated to a full set, with U2, Van Halen and Pearl Jam as major influences. He found his Irish at the old AOH club in Danbury, thumping the bar and singing Black Velvet Band and Fields of Athenry over a few pints of Harp. After stints in Firehouse Red and Trooper Thorne, Jim joined the Mighty Ploughboys in the spring of 2008.
Sean

Sean starting playing music in his early teens and his influences include rock, alternative, jazz and metal. Prior to joining The Mighty Ploughboys, he was a member of such bands as Furthurmore, Stigian, and Draught. Sean's bass lines help contribute to the great original sound of The Mighty Ploughboys.
John

John, the newest Ploughboy, plays lead guitar and sings backing vocals. His Celtic roots come from his mother's side of the family who were immigrants from Milngavie, Scotland. John was born in New York City and moved to the band's hometown of New Fairfield, CT when he was just 11 years old. Pat and John, long-time friends, have crossed paths many times over the years, sometimes sharing the same stage!