Anthony Kearns Biog

Anthony Kearns' invitation to join the trio may have been based largely on his illustrious halftime performance at the culmination of the 1996 All-Ireland Hurling Championship and subsequent appearance at the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) finals, but he was singing publicly in his hometown of Kiltealy since the age of ten.

These "tops of the town" shows gave way to years of high-level vocal competition and intensive training at FCJ (Faithful Companions of Jesus) Secondary School in Bunclody, an institution renowned for its music program.
While working in the hospitality industry in Wicklow, Kearns became involved in both the Wicklow Music Society and the local "singing pubs" competitions. He was also a much sought-after singer at weddings and other special events.

His standing grew alongside his contest victories, achieved by assaying everything from Sean Nos (traditional Irish singing) to pop, rock and country hits. In 1995 and 1996, Kearns won the prestigious Dermot Troy Trophy for Oratorio, in 1995, he won the Best Male Singer at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera and he reached the top at the ESB Veronica Dunne International Singing Comeptition in 1999.

He was next seen competing on Ireland's "Late Late Show", which brought him to the attention of vocal coach Veronica Dunne, who also trained Finbar Wright. Repeated triumphs at the Dublin Feis Ceoil, Europe's longest-running classical music festival, and elsewhere led to a national reputation and those coveted sporting-event gigs. Since he became one third of The Irish Tenors in 1998, that reputation has become international.