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Son of the celebrated fiddler Gerry O’Connor (Skylark,
Kinvara) and renowned singer Eithne Ní Uallacháin (Lá
Lugh), Dónal O’Connor has inherited a great musical legacy
of at least five generations of fiddle playing and countless generations
of traditional singing. Highly regarded as a fiddle player, he was asked
at the tender age of 21 to take part in the prestigious ‘Music
Network Tour of Ireland’ alongside Scottish Guitarist Tony Mc
Manus, Fermanagh purveyor of song Gabriel McArdle and Belfast Piper
John McSherry (Lunasa, Coolfin, Tamalin).
Dónal’s playing was described recently by the press as
“…..immaculate…” “...electrifying...”
and “…borne out of naked talent and consummate professionalism…”
- The Irish Times.
He has toured Europe and the USA extensively from a young age as both
a lead and backing instrumentalist with a number of bands including
Lá Lugh. Currently living in Belfast in the North of Ireland,
Dónal is part of an extremely vibrant music scene and is regarded
as “One of the outstanding players of his generation” -
J.B. Vallelly
Recent collaborations have included tours of Ireland and Europe with
Mike McGoldrick (Capercaillie, Flook, Lunasa), live festival performance
with Karen Casey, T.V. performances with the legendary Sligo Flute player
Seamus Tansey and recording work with Máire Brennan of Clannad.
Despite a hectic schedule of gigs Dónal has found some time to
prepare material for a duet album with the aforementioned John McSherry
and has co-produced Gerry O’Connor’s long awaited solo album
Journeyman,which was released in October 2004 to great critical acclaim.
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