Kathleen and Dom Lavin
Honored April 26, 2025
Kathleen and Dom Lavin have a deep love of traditional Irish music, and their early careers in music followed a remarkably parallel course: they both played piano accordion, they’re both All-Ireland medal winners and they both taught traditional Irish music while working their way through college. Kathleen taught with the Quinn School of Music on Long Island, and Dom operated his own school in Rockland County, New York.
Their involvement with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann began in their formative years, with Dom being a member of the founding Shannonairs youth branch of CCÉ, and Kathleen serving as an officer of the Mulligan-Quinn Branch where she was corresponding secretary, a position she currently holds today.
Kathleen’s family hails from Donegal, where she spent many summers absorbing the rich musical tradition of Ireland’s northernmost county, including songs and airs from her own mother, Brigid Roarty, a well-known Gaelic sean-nós singer and set dancer from Ranafast, Donegal. Kathleen’s parents, John and Brigid were active promoters of the Irish culture and were founding members of the first branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in America and remained loyal members and held officer positions throughout their lives. Irish music, dancing and song were an integral part of Kathleen’s upbringing, and she also obtained her TCRG in Irish dancing. She attended the Quinn School of music where Brian Quinn taught her the accordion.
Dom’s family roots are from Sligo and Dublin. Along with his sister, Teresa McKiernan (RIP) and Jimmy Lavin (RIP, Hall of Fame), they began accordion lessons with Hall of Fame fiddler Pete Kelly. All three siblings were original members of the Shannonairs Ceili band that toured Ireland in the 1970s. Dom actually began playing for Irish dance competitions in his youth but soon gravitated to the Irish dance band scene, where he worked and recorded with top New York musicians such as Tommy Mulvihill, Brian “Mugs” Moran and Tommy Dunn. Along the way, Dom picked up the bass guitar and piano in addition to his original instrument, the piano accordion.
When their two children Aileen and Thomas began dancing, Dom and Kathleen were able to combine three passions of their lives – family, music and dance – into a family affair. They played for Irish dancing competitions on the local, regional and national level for more than 15 years. During that period they produced two dancing CDs, “Step in Time“ and “Step in Time Volume II,” which were well received on the Irish dancing circuit.
In 2003 Kathleen and Dom helped form a traditional ceili band with family and friends called “Clann agus Cairde,” which performed at many events over the years, including the Fleadh Cheoil in Ireland. They continue to play at ceilis and sessions today and remain active members of the Mulligan-Quinn Branch of CCE.