Garry started playing music at the age of 9, learning the banjo, mandolin and guitar. Having completed a degree in Music and Irish he began his career as a professional musician. He joined the crossover folk/pop band Reel, with whom he recorded and toured extensively around Ireland and the UK, enjoying three top 10 singles in the charts.
Garry has toured with popular Dance Shows Ragús, Celtic Legends and Irish Legends all over the world, and has performed with artists such as The Fureys, Stocktonʼs Wing, Lord of the Dance star Liam OʼConnor, Gerry OʼConnor and many more.
In 2006 Garry was a founder member of Folk/Trad group Monto. Signed to Universal records, they performed many high profile gigs including the All Ireland Final at Croke Park and the prestigious Milwaukee Irish Fest in America. In 2008, following the break up of Monto, he joined the folk group Dargle who toured in Asia, Europe and North America since 2009. He also featured on several tracks on the recorded tribute album to acclaimed singer/songwriter Christie Hennessey, with such famous Irish artists as Christie himself, Christy Moore, Luka Bloom, Paul Brady, Moya Brennan and Finbar Furey to name but a few. He is always busy as a recording artist, and has played on other albums for popular Irish artists including Tommy Fleming and Mike Denver.
In early 2012 he joined the award winning Brock McGuire band, which was recently voted “Irish Instrumental Band Of The Decade” in the U.S.A, and has been touring in Ireland and North America with them since. A highlight was a performance, alongside the band, with 14 time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs and sensational trad duo, Hayes and Cahill, at the Masters Of Tradition series in Cork.
In 2013, Garry recorded his long awaited debut album, Pickin’ Time, which was released in March 2013 and showcases his master musicianship as a banjo and mandolin player. Featuring a number of his own newly composed works and traditional music, Garry's powerful instrumentals on the album set him apart as an important and exciting talent.
Since then, he performed extensively with the Garry O’Meara Band, as well as hooking up with the sensational award winning band, We Banjo 3, who have had a remarkable rise in the folk/trad world in recent years. In 2014 and 2015 he completed several tours in Europe and the States and at home with the band.
"Garry's exciting and highly accomplished technique is perfectly showcased throughout this vibrant CD. Great music from a great player."Gerry O'Connor
"Stunning!"
LiveIreland
"Banjo's best kept secret!"
Séamus Begley
"His playing is not so much a discovery as a revelation!"
American Public Radio
"A gorgeous thing of a new album."
Chicago Irish American News
