Cathy is a native of Scramogue, Country Roscommon now living in Sligo. Her love for traditional singing was instilled at an early age, especially by her father. Cathy began singing publicly at all kind of Feiseanna and concerts as a child. In later years she took to performing a wide range of material as a solo performer in the midlands. In the summer of 1990 Cathy met informally with Dervish and was shortly afterwards asked to join the band.

After filming the Omagh Youth Choir in Omagh, Northern Ireland, the founder/director, Daryl Simpson, told us about the amazing sounds of the band Dervish. A few days later we drove ourselves to Sligo, and recorded Cathy and the members of Dervish at the home of Brian McDonagh, the band's mandola/mandolin player.