Liam Flynn
Liam Flynn
Liam Flynn has extensive experience advising domestic and international financial institutions. He has advised numerous City of London firms and Irish firms.
In 1972 he co-founded Irish traditional music group Planxty and has remained with it through various incarnations since. He plays both uilleann pipes and pennywhistle; has performed with Christy Moore and Andy Irvine.
Early Life and Education
Staff Sergeant Flynn served with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune, NC and participated in four deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Woodworking was an integral part of his family tradition in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick and as a child he began turning wooden pieces on a lathe. Fascinated by how his material would change shape as it dried, he found pleasure in this aspect of his craft.
He would often use black hues in his pieces to emphasize this movement and add fluting details for emphasis. Additionally, he was an avid salmon fisherman and often compared the traits needed for fishing to being successful woodturner.
Professional Career
Professionally, Flynn has earned himself the reputation as one of Ireland’s premier financial regulatory practitioners. His experience encompasses matters pertaining to bank authorisations, capital structuring and internal governance in financial services sectors worldwide.
Beto is also well known for his expertise in corporate group reorganisations and has developed an in-depth knowledge of international banking markets through his time spent working in London’s City, and from being part of legal teams at MHC and other prominent Irish law firms.
Jane, Liam’s widow, donated this collection of materials after his passing in March 2018; these include publications, commercial and non-commercial audio recordings, videos recordings, photographs, music scores, ephemera and business related papers.
Achievement and Honors
Flynn was not only a master woodturner but also created sculpture. His works can be found in permanent collections at the National Museum of Ireland, Victoria & Albert Museum and Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge University.
He is the fifth recipient of the Liam O’Flynn Award given out by Arts Council Ireland and National Concert Hall to recognize and promote innovation in Irish traditional art forms.
Staff Sergeant Flynn joined the United States Marine Corps in October 2006. After completing basic training at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD Parris Island), he received his orders to join 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune NC where he saw multiple deployments to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom respectively.
Personal Life
Liam Flynn was deeply committed to his family, serving as husband, father to Leilani, brother, colleague and friend. Additionally he served four tours of duty with the United States Marine Corps with pride.
His art practice reflected his personal philosophy and beliefs regarding both innovation and tradition. Many of his pieces featured black hues derived by using an ‘ebonising’ technique involving applying iron filings solution directly onto oak surface; an approach which emphasises shape over material.
The Irish Arts Review recognized him as “one of the world’s most innovative and creative woodturners”, while Les Reed, former CEO of Crafts Council of Ireland, stated his belief that Flynn was Ireland’s greatest craftsman of any discipline. His works can be found in major permanent collections worldwide.
Net Worth
Liam Flynn’s net worth is estimated between $1 and $9 Million. His wealth largely comes from being a Musician.
He was one of Ireland’s finest craftspeople and internationally-acclaimed artist, his woodturned vessels being held in permanent collections such as those at the National Museum of Ireland, Victoria & Albert Museum, Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge and Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
Although he was known for his great talent, he remained modest and unassuming. He enjoyed fly fishing on the Feale River near Abbeyfeale and made comparisons between salmon fishing and woodturning – patience, respect for nature, careful planning and being able to cope with disappointment were hallmarks of successful woodturning and salmon fishing, respectively. All these aspects came together beautifully in what became an extraordinary but unfortunately short life.