Proton Pool Party was formed by brothers Davy & Matthew Byrne from Killybegs, Donegal.
They released their debut single 'He Likes Flowers' in July 24.
It has received airplay throughout Ireland and the U.K., on Banks Radio in Oz and on SiriusXM in the U.S. "He Likes Flowers" was favorably reviewed by Hot Press magazine. (see Proton Pool Party FB page).
It has amassed over 24,000 streams across major streaming platforms to date.
Proton Pool Party were selected as one of Ocean FMs' entrants for the New Local Hero competition in September '24 following the successful launch of their debut single.
Davy is a singer and guitarist who has been gigging and writing songs for seven years.
Matthew is a guitarist whose previous band won the acclaimed Letterkenny International Buskers festival in 2022. He is currently studying music in NUIG.
Thanks to Moya Brennan of Clannad fame, these guys have opened for such music luminaries as Ralph McTell, The Four of Us, Duke Special & Luka Bloom. Moya is a wonderful mentor and friend to Davy & Matthew, selflessly and generously advising them. Proton Pool Party regularly perform at her Clubeo showcase events.
"He Likes Flowers" was recorded in Clannad's studio in Wicklow, produced by Paul Jarvis and mastered by Peter Montgomery.
''The Sand'' is the title of their follow up single, released in April 2025.
It was produced at Valley Music Studios by Terry McGinty (producer of Muireann Bradley's album).
Proton Pool Party have previously played live on Highland Radio and were invited back in March to debut their new single, ''The Sand''.
Davy and the lads are ambitious and keen to share their original music with a wider audience.
They have a catalogue of material which is well received at gigs, though yet to be recorded.
Attendance at Irish Music Week 2026 will align with their '25-'27 plan by building their network and visibility, enabling them to gig in Dublin around Ireland, act as support to bands of similar music style and hopefully achieve a slot at great Irish festivals close to home such as Stendhal and others further afield. Showcases like Eurosonic '27 and the Great Escape '27 are medium term goals while the group continue recording new material.
In May '25 Proton Pool Party recorded the follow-up to "The Sand" in Moya's Wicklow studio.
Titled "Stone Cold Killer", it was released in September 25.
It is available on all platforms and it has received very positive reviews.
The band has been greatly augmented by the addition of new members Adam Cullen (guitar) and David Brady on drums.
These two and Matthew Byrne are all music students in University of Galway.
In August, PPP played the Balor Theatre in Ballybofey as a four piece, delivering a set of all original songs to a large, appreciative audience (headlining was George Houston).
Their most recent radio appearance was a live performance on Highland Radio,Sep.'25.
Proud to announce that we played Roisin Dubh , Galway on Wed Oct 29th,supporting Bog Project.
Even prouder to announce that we played the Roisin Dubh main room on Friday Dec 19th.
The group were recently back in studio working on a new number, "Pigeon Walking" ,scheduled for a May '26 release.
New Year...new releases ..new gigs, festival appearances, all tba soon.
2025 was a great year for Proton Pool Party:
- 2 singles released , The Sand & Stone Cold Killer
- Playing Ghostlight Sessions in the Balor Theatre along with Boy M5 & George Houston
- Opening for Muireann Bradley at Clubeo, Donegal
- Receiving a super review from a German music journalist
- Horslips FB post telling people they are Proton Pool Party fans
- Playing the main room in Roisin Dubh in October and December
- Creating new material, some of which has just been recorded.
Thanks to everybody who has given us advice ,support and encouragement.
So in '26 we want to:
- Get our first EP released
- Play a particular, famous festival (not a million miles away! Hint, hint fan base!)
- Play a particular, famous festival quite a few miles away ....distance not an object
- Extend our reach gig wise, hopefully appearing in Dublin early October!
- Reach out to like minded groups requiring a cool support act
- Keep making music that will bring everybody to the Proton Pool Party!
We are as ever, open to new ideas so do let us know...