A member of the group Cherish the Ladies since 2003, Mirella Murray grew up in Claddaghduff, near Clifden, on the north west coast of Connemara. Her father John Joe, a notable sean nós dancer, comes from Inishark Island and has a deep understanding of, and love for, traditional music. Mirella learnt the piano accordion from Mary Finn, herself a great player from the musical Finn family of Ballymote, Co. Sligo. She met up with fiddler Liz Kane from Letterfrack, and they played and learned a lot of their music together going through the Fleadh Cheoil competitions. They won the All-Ireland duet in 1995, while Mirella gained the title on the piano accordion that same year. The pair performed together for years and toured in France and in North America with Comhaltas. They formed the Hydledoodles, a short-lived band which featured at the Fiddle and Accordion festival in Shetland and returned to the Folk Festival there the following year.
Later Mirella teamed up with the great fiddle player Tola Custy from Co. Clare, since the pair have played all over Ireland and Europe on various tours and festivals. After many year of being coaxed by people they went on to make an album "Three Sunsets" which has received many rave review and was voted top five albums of 2002 by The Irish Times, they were one of the nominee's as 'Best Newcomers' by the Irish Music Magazine in 2003.
Mirella has also toured Austria with the Bumblebees; performed with harper Laoise Kelly at the International Women's Day Festival in Moscow; featured in the Galway Arts Festival 2001,2002 and 2003 with Laoise and young fiddler Michelle O'Brien; toured with various line-ups in Scandinavia, Switzerland, Spain and France; and also recorded with Laoise on the Geantraí Christmas Special 2001, TG4. From September to November 2002 Mirella joined up with the late Johnny Cunningham to perform in the theatrical production, "Peter & Wendy", winner of two OBIE Awards which Johnny composed the music and lyrics for this adaptation of J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan".
Mirella also has a flair for teaching, and it is a credit to her musicianship that two of her pupils have gained All-Ireland titles. She has accumulated a vast store of tunes from her travels, and musicians such as Sharon Shannon, Lunasa and the Bumblebees credit her as a source for many uncommon melodies.
What about what are you doing in september when nothing important is going on apart what about I would be proposing you if you would be available in case nothing would disturb you ? I mean if there is nothing going on of course unless you would not agree or like, I could say that it would be great that you would agree on what in shall be proposing at the same time to the Kane sisters. What do you think about my proposal ? It would be more like the end of sept. Great isn't it ??
I was wondering if you'd be playing anywhere near Asheville this summer. We'd love to come out and see you if you are. I'll leave you with an excellent audio documentary of Tony Macmahon's musical reflections. You may have already heard it, but if not give it a listen. The mans pure genius. Nick
How are ye ? Still on the move ? We had a great time in Egypt ! Beautiful hotel and boat, great food, gorgeous people, fantastic sites.... well it was a dream. I have taken loads of movies that I'll show you...... when you come to France !!! We plan to go to Ireland in September, what is your schedule (if you have already some idea) Bye love !!!
On Mars really, lookin forward to the return journey but don't think it'll b any time soon : ( D'ya think you'll get back in April? Kid invitin the whole school to his party!! Dunno where he got that gene for partyin?!
