The third of eight children, Hayden was born into an environment steeped in traditional Irish music; his father and both of his grandfathers all played the fiddle, with his father playing tenor banjo as well, inspiring Hayden as a boy to learn both instruments. Additionally, his mother was a pianist, often accompanying traditional musicians. As a young man, Hayden competed in the Fleadh Cheoil ([ˌfʲlʲaː ˈçoːlʲ]; English: "music festival"), Ireland's yearly international music competition-festival, winning the category of All-Ireland Champion on both banjo and fiddle. He is an original member of the group Four Men and a Dog, whose debut album, Barking Mad (1991), won Folk Roots' Best New Album award the year of its release.
