Background
Russell was born in Doonagore, Doolin, County Clare, Ireland. Russell came from a musically renowned family, his mother played the concertina, and his father was a sean-nós singer.
Russell was born in Doonagore, Doolin, County Clare, Ireland. Russell came from a musically renowned family, his mother played the concertina, and his father was a sean-nós singer.
He also played the simple-system flute and was a collector of traditional music and folklore. He had two brothers, Packie and Gussie, who were also musicians. He also had two sisters.
Death Russell died in a car accident in 1994 on the way home from a gig just prior to going back into the studio to record another Civil Defense.