Background
O'Brien was born in Newton, near Nenagh, County Tipperary, the son of traditional fiddler and accordionist Dinny O'Brien, who was the leader of the Bridge Céilí Band.
O'Brien was born in Newton, near Nenagh, County Tipperary, the son of traditional fiddler and accordionist Dinny O'Brien, who was the leader of the Bridge Céilí Band.
He was instrumental in establishing the B/C style of button accordion playing in Irish traditional music. While still a teenager he played with the Lough Derg Céilí Band and with the Aughrim Slopes Céilí Band. In 1949 he joined the Tulla Céilí Band, replacing the Galway accordionist Joe Cooley.
In later life he tutored céilí bands, including the Ormond and Premier céilí bands. Fiddler Seán Ryan was a cousin.
O'Brien's daughter Eileen is a well-known fiddler and pianist, and a member of the Boruma Trio.