Maireád Ní Mhaonaigh (Ireland)
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh was born and raised in the heartland of the Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht in Donegal. She is a native speaker and learned 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 learned 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 county.

Many musicians and singers visited her home was she was growing up, which influenced the young girl. Mairéad's musical inspiration initially came from her family and neighbours, her father being a great fiddle teacher with a wealth of unusual local tunes, many learnt from his mother, Róise. She also received tuition and inspiration from Buncrana fiddle player, Dinny McLaughlin, who was a frequent visitor to her home when she was growing up.

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.

Maireád will be performing at Celtic Colours this year accompanied by Manus Lunny, a gifted instrumentalist, singer and composer who has earned a reputation as one of the most significant performers from the Irish tradition, adding in a contemporary vein to the heritage of traditional music and song.

Website: http://www.mairead.ie/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/maireadofficial

Shows
Oct. 9th - Island to Island: The Cape Breton-Ireland Musical Bridge
Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, Port Hawkesbury - 7:30 PM ($60/50/40)

Oct. 10th - A Taste of the Festival
Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion, Sydney - 7:30 PM ($40/35/30)

Oct. 11th - Tunes for the Mira
Marion Bridge Recreation Centre, Marion Bridge - 7:30 PM ($25/20)

Oct. 12th - The Hand that Rocks the Bow
Judique Community Centre, Judique - 7:30 PM ($30/25/20)

Please Note: Artists and Events subject to change without notice.