Originally drawn to the arts through visual practice, Diarmuid’s focus gradually shifted toward music as performance and composition became central to his creative life. His early studies in Sound Engineering played a significant role in shaping his musical identity, providing a deep understanding of sound, acoustics, and musical physics. This technical grounding continues to inform his approach to tone, extended technique, ensemble balance, and composition.
Diarmuid was awarded a substantial scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music, where he quickly established himself as a versatile and in-demand musician. During his time there, he performed with artists including Livingston Taylor and John Blackwell, and represented the college in professional settings alongside Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith. Berklee proved a formative environment, refining both his performance practice and compositional direction.
In 2015, he relocated to Amsterdam to study at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, immersing himself in the European jazz scene. He later completed postgraduate studies at the University of Southern California, further expanding his international performance and compositional work.
While based in Los Angeles, Diarmuid toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States with multiple projects. An ensemble for which he serves as a principal composer and arranger won first prize at the International Bucharest Jazz Competition, an internationally recognised competition featuring leading conservatories and institutions from around the world.
Across his career, he has performed with and learned from a wide range of internationally respected artists, including Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, John Scofield, Vince Mendoza, John Clayton, Seamus Blake, Gary Willis, and Lincoln Goines.
Now based in Ireland, Diarmuid maintains an active performance schedule on both electric and double bass, working with a range of ensembles at home and abroad. Alongside his performance career, he is a committed educator, teaching at Clongowes Wood College, Maynooth University, and with Music Generation Kildare, where he supports developing musicians through performance-led, contemporary music education.