Website :: www.fidilmusic.com
Audio samples :: www.myspace.com/fidilcd

Ciarán Ó Maonaigh :: Fiddle
Aidan O’Donnell :: Fiddle
Damien McGeehan :: Fiddle

“One of the most challenging and beautifully austere albums of the last fifty years.”
Sean Laffey, Irish Music Magazine

Music Network is delighted to announce a concert by Fidil on Thursday 5th March, at 8.00pm in Triskel Arts Centre. Fidil are Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, Aidan O’Donnell and Damien McGeehan who were awarded a place in 2008 on Young Musicwide, Music Network’s development programme for selected young professional musicians.

Fidil are rapidly forging a reputation for exhilarating and challenging music that draws on the rich heritage of their native place. Their music making is marked by an intricate and intelligent approach that still manages to maintain the element of fiery exhuberance that is the hallmark of traditional fiddle music from Donegal. This is traditional music for the 21st century-mindful of its origins but breathtakingly exciting in its ambition and delivery.

Ciarán Ó Maonaigh & Aidan O’Donnell’s album – “fidil’, which was the genesis of the group, was released in June 2008 to critical acclaim and was described as “One of the most challanging and beautifully austere albums of the last fifty years.’ (Sean Laffey, Irish Music Magazine). In that same month they had a full program of “The Full Set’ dedicated to them on RTÉ 1 television.

From Dunkineely, Co.Donegal, Aidan O’Donnell has been described as one of the finest young Irish musicians at present. He began his music making at the age of 12, and since then has performed with some of traditional music’s finest artists, including Donal Lunny, Micheal Ó’ Suilleabháin and the Chieftains. In 2007, he won the prestigious ‘Oireachtas na Geailge’ fiddle title, and has been a regular tutor at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, at the University of Limerick for the past number of years. He released his critically acclaimed debut album in 2006, with Mayo flute player Kieran Munnelly, called ‘In Safe Hands’, which has been described as ‘a salute to the players who have gone before’ (Matt Molloy, The Chieftains). “Aidan’s incredible technical ability combined with his deep love of the music of his ancestors will see him become one of the most influential Donegal fiddle players of this generation.’ (Siobhán Peoples)

TG4 young musician of the Year 2003, fiddle player Ciarán Ó Maonaigh hails from the Gaoth Dobhair gaeltacht in Co. Donegal. He was heavily influenced by his extended family when growing up including his teacher Francie Mooney, Altan members Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy, Derry fiddle player Dermot McLaughlin as well as the Donegal fiddle legend John Doherty amongst others. Ciarán, a 3 time Oireachtas fiddle champion, released his first album Ceol a’Ghleanna/The Music of the Glen (SPINCD1008) on the Claddagh Records label in 2004 and he has also produced numerous music documentarys for Irish TV stations RTÉ & TG4.

Damien McGeehan began playing Irish traditional music at the age of seven. Citing the Donegal style of fiddling as his main influence, hé has toured Ireland, Great Britain, Italy, Australia and Scandanavia. He has made numerous appearances on national/international television and radio and has performed alongside acts such as The Chieftains, Niall Keegan, Michael O’ Suilleabháin, Frankie Gavin, Eileen Ivers and The World Youth Chamber Orchestra to name but a few. Damien has studied at the R.S.A.M.D. (Glasgow) and has recently achieved a BA in Irish Music at The Irish World Academy of Music, University of Limerick.

Reviews
“He is a first-rate musician, with a dry wit that merely embellishes his tunes further.”
Siobhan Long on Aidan O’Donnell - Irish Times

“His ability and appetite to play the music in all its bare-boned glory sets Ciarán Ó Maonaigh apart. Ceol a’Ghleanna/Music Of The Glen is a superb snapshot of his home place. Heart and soul in abundance, bravado nowhere to be seen.”
Siobhan Long on Ciarán Ó Maonaigh - Irish Times

“One of Ireland’s most prodigious fiddling talents,”
Geoff Wallis on Ciarán Ó Maonaigh – The Rough Guide to Irish Music

“Damien McGeehan is one of the brightest lights ascendant in the worlds of Donegal and Irish fiddle music. He is dragging the Donegal fiddle into the twenty first century through his personal exploration of his own roots and other fiddle traditions through the world. The excitement and energy of his playing is only matched by his precision, sensitivity and musicality. Go hear him while you can still afford admission!”
Niall Keegan, The University of Limerick on Damien McGeehan

Described as simply “Stunning!” (Rod Stradling – www.mustrad.org.uk), and “Mind-blowing” (www.allcelticmusic.com)

Tickets:
Full price: €15
Concession: €12
Under 12s: €8
Available at Triskel Box Office :: (021) 427 2022