Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh: Irish fiddle, vocals, hardanger fiddle
Imeall also features:
Manus Lunny - bouzouki, programming, vocals, guitar Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill - piano Annbjørg Lien - Hardanger fiddle Dónal Lunny - bodhrán Michael McGoldrick - flute, uileann Pipes Jim Higgins - percussion, bodhrán Graham Henderson - keyboards Tim Edey - Guitar
Influences
Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Cocteau Twins, Francie Ó Maonaigh, Frankie Kennedy, Altan, Con Cassidy, Tommy Peoples, Dinny McLaughlin...
Mairéad was born and raised in the heartland of the Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht in Donegal. She is a native speaker and learnt her songs and tunes from her family and neighbours. Mairéad is internationally known as one of the most important fiddle players that play in the unique Donegal style.
This takes her to the world stage with her band ‘Altan’, who play the music of Donegal with pride, throughout the world. Mairéad learnt her songs and tunes from her father Francie Ó Maonaigh, one of the most important fiddle teachers in that part of the country. Mairéad is also a founder member of ‘Cairdeas na bhFidleiri’, that began over twenty-five years ago to promote, develop and keep alive the richness of the fiddle music associated with the county.
Mairéad harvested inspiration at first from her family and neighbours. Many musicians and singers visited her home was she was growing up, which influenced the young girl.
Mairéad was qualified as a primary school teacher in 1979 and began teaching in Malahide, in County Dublin. In 1987, Mairéad and her husband, Frankie Kennedy decided to become full-time musicians and they founded Altan. The band went from strength to strength over the years, playing the music of Tír Chonaill around the world, from New York to Tokyo and back again. The band stayed true to their music and songs, that they learned from their family back at home in Donegal in their neighbours kitchens and at sessions.
Aside from playing with Altan, Mairéad is also renowned for her work on other projects. She can be seen presenting music programmes on both radio and television, like “The Long Note”, and “The Pure Drop”, and lately, “The Full Set”. Mairéad is on recordings along with Enya, The Chieftains, Dolly Parton, The String Sisters and many others. She hopes to take time out to compose new music in the future.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Dear Mariead!! Here´s a link to a poem about the guitar--who made it, what it´s made from anf what it does to the player and the listener. It´s a thank you for the musical friendship!!! ( The Bach-music is played by Göran Söllscher . I made the poem inspired by Pablo neruda)
Dear Mairéad! I saw you on Transatlantic sessions and you are looking and sounding more beautiful than ever. I hope you and Nia are very well, and to see you before too long. Autumn blessings from Cambridge, Lizzy xx
Hello Mairead, greetings from Nürnberg. Imeall is a wonderful brilliant record. I love it very much. And your singing is so expressive and embarrassing. Thanks for your music.
Hey Mairead, Howdy from Texas. Thank you for your friendship, we appreciate it. You are most welcome on our space. Love the music from your new solo CD, it's fantastic. We're great fans of yours and Altan. Take care.
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