Programme 6: Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Dermot Byrne
Watch an exclusive online performance by Mairéad and Dermot...
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Dermot Byrne are two of the most instantly recognisable figures in traditional music. As members of Altan they continue to tour the world and bring the fiddle and accordion music of their native Donegal to international audiences. However, for the occassional concert closer to home they like nothing better than to create the more intimate setting of a quiet session. A rare opportunity to hear music making of the highest order in the company of a couple who play with an empathy and understanding that draws in the listener.
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh was born and raised in the Donegal Gaeltacht of Gaoth Dobhair. Her first language was Irish, and from her earliest years she was surrounded by music and song. Now one of the leading exponents of Donegal fiddle music, she received her start on the instrument from her father, Francie, a great fiddle teacher with a wealth of unusual local tunes, many learnt in turn from his mother, Roise. Sadly, Francie died last month but his music and spirit lives on.
Mairéad also received tuition and inspiration from fiddler, Dinny McLaughlin, who was a frequent visitor to the home when she was young. Mairead has always had an equal love of singing and again learnt many songs from neighbours and friends in Donegal. As well as her work with Altan, Mairead over the years has presented traditional music programmes on radio and television, including the classic radio show, "The Long Note" and the television series, "The Pure Drop".
Dermot Byrne
Dermot Byrne, also a native of Donegal, guested on two Altan albums, "The Red Crow" and "Island Angel" before joining the band in 1994. Like Mairead, Dermot had music from his father, Tómas O Beirn), from the Gaeltacht area of Teileann, and heard all the great Donegal fiddlers, the Dohertys, Cassidys, and Byrnes from his infancy. With this start, Dermot was a renowned accordion player before he reached his teens, he has played and recorded with many great musicians including Seamus and Manus McGuire, Frankie Gavin and Pierre Schryer, and he also has his own solo recording.
