Trad Trathnona Dé Mairt /Tue 7th Lúnasa / August

Dé Máirt 07 Lúnasa Conor Byrne and Michelle O Brien

Is as Baile Átha Cliath ó dhúchas an seinnteoir fliúite, Conor Byrne agus chur sé suim i gceol ar tús trí ranganna feadóige agus ina dhiaidh sin, i ranganna fliúite, le Paul McGrattan, Cian O’Sullivan agus Frankie Kennedy, nuair a bhí sé I mbarr a mhaitheasa. In 1998, d’eisigh sé a chéad albam aonair Wind Dancer, léirithe ag Luka Bloom agus le Máire Breathnach, Christy Moore, Cathy Jordan agus Liam Ó Maonlaí, páirteach san albam. Sheinn sé le ceoltóirí macasamhail Anuna, Christy Moore, Luka Bloom, Eimear Quinn, Paul Brady agus Ronnie Drew. D’eisigh Conor albam, Bavan, i gcuideachta an fhidléara Méabh O’Hare, as Béal Feirste, a fuair aitheantas mór agus chuir siad leis an tsaothar seo trí a gcuid coirmeacha ceoil san Eoraip, san Áis agus i Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá.

D’fhoghlaim Michelle O Brien a cuid ceoil óna múinteoir bunscoile Frank Custy, a bhí aitheanta mar shár- mhúinteoir ceoil agus ansin bhí d’ádh uirthi tuilleadh cuidithe a fháil óna comharsan Tommy Peoples. Bhí níos mó tionchar ag Tommy Peoples ar a cuid ceoil nach aon duine eile agus tá seo le haithne ar a saothar. Bhog Michelle go Baile Átha Cliath san 90’adaí agus tá sí gníomhach i gcúrsaí ceoil thraidisiúnta sa chathair ó shin. Tá Craobh na hÉireann aici i bhfidléireacht chomh le maith le Craobh Pan-Cheilteach agus tá ráchairt mhór uirthi mar fhidléir. Bíonn sí ag teagasc ag Dámh Chruinne Éireann, Rince agus Ceol, Ollscoil Luimnigh agus ag cuid mhór féilte ar fud na hÉireann agus na hEorpa. Tá sí ina ceoltóir cónaithe le Comhairle Ealaíon Chill Mhantáin.

Tuesday 07 August Conor Byrne and Michelle O Brien

Dublin-born flute player Conor Byrne first explored traditional music through whistle lessons and soon moved on to flute lessons with Paul McGrattan, Cian O’Sullivan and the late Frankie Kennedy. In 1998, he released Wind Dancer, his debut solo album produced by Luka Bloom and featuring Máire Breathnach, Christy Moore, Cathy Jordan and Liam Ó Maonlaí. He has performed with musicians including Anuna, Christy Moore, Luka Bloom, Eimear Quinn, Paul Brady and Ronnie Drew. Conor released critically acclaimed duo album ‘Bavan’ with Belfast fiddler Méabh O’Hare, which was followed by tours of Europe, Asia, and the US.

Michelle O’Brien, from County Clare, learned her music from acclaimed music teacher Frank Custy at primary school and was then taken under the wing of her neighbour, the legendary Tommy Peoples. It is Tommy who became Michelle’s main influence and his distinctive style of playing can be heard in her music. Michelle moved to Dublin in the 90’s and is an influential member of the Dublin traditional music scene ever since. Michelle has an All-Ireland Fiddle title and Pan-Celtic fiddle title to her credit and is a much sought after tutor of the fiddle, teaching at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Limerick and at many Festivals throughout Ireland and Europe. She is currently ‘musician in residence’ for Wicklow Arts Council.