www.fidilmusic.com www.musicnetwork.ie

FIDIL RELEASE DEBUT CD, ‘3’ UNDER MUSIC NETWORK’S
YOUNG MUSICWIDE SCHEME

“…with one ear cocked carefully to the past and the other trained meticulously on the present, they take tunes long weathered by tradition and infuse
them with a passion and vitality that’s all their own”.
Siobhán Long

Music Network proudly announces the release of ‘3’, the debut CD from the outstanding Donegal fiddle trio, FIDIL. Described as, “Stunning” (Rod Stradling)
and “Mind-blowing” (allcelticmusic.com), the award winning trio are three of Donegal’s finest young musicians: Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, Aidan O’Donnell and Damien
McGeehan, each recognised for their virtuosic technique as well as their inventive yet authentic approach to music.

Their new CD, Fidil 3 (FID002CD), is available from today from all good record stores, www.claddaghrecords.com and for download on iTunes. Following the launch, the trio can be heard in concert in Tralee (Thursday 26 November), Baile Mhúirne (Friday 27 November), Newbridge (Saturday 28 November), Belmullet (Sunday 29 November) and Sligo (Friday 11 December).
For more details visit www.musicnetwork.ie.

The new album, simply entitled ‘3′, is at the cutting edge of Irish traditional music. Fidil explores the soundscape of their native Donegal, and through their unconventional approach to accompaniment, arrive at a place where tradition meets innovation, giving Fidil their unmistakable sound. High energy meets delicate arrangements in an eclectic mix of beautifully selected tunes, making this album a must have for all music enthusiasts.

Their music-making is marked by an intricate and intelligent approach that still manages to maintain the element of fiery exuberance 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.

In 2008, Ciarán Ó Maonaigh & Aidan O’Donnell’s self- titled album ‘fdonall@nuacht.comidil’ was released receiving widespread critical acclaim and was described as “One of the most challenging and beautifully austere albums of the last fifty years’ by Irish Music Magazine.

In late 2008, Fidil became a trio as Damien McGeehan, a player long respected by both O’ Maonaigh and O’ Donnell, joined the group adding a new dynamic to the ensemble’s arrangements and performance. The trio quickly established themselves as stars in the ascendant, scooping up the 2008 Music Network Young Musicwide Award, with which they have been busy playing concerts on home ground, and more recently in Macedonia, Iceland and Nova Scotia.

Aidan O’Donnell has performed with some of traditional music’s finest artists, including Donal Lunny, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and the Chieftains. In 2007, he
won the prestigious ‘Oireachtas na Gaeilge’ fiddle title. 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’ by Matt Molloy (The Chieftains). Aidan has won the respect
of many of his musical peers with Siobhán Peoples claiming that, “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.’

TG4 young musician of the Year 2003, Ciarán Ó Maonaigh has been described as “One of Ireland’s most prodigious fiddling talents,” (Geoff Wallis – The Rough
Guide to Irish Music). He was heavily influenced by his extended family, 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 three 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 documentaries for Irish TV stations RTÉ & TG4.

Damien McGeehan cites the Donegal style of fiddling as his main influence. He has toured Ireland, Great Britain, Italy, Australia and Scandinavia as well
as making numerous appearances on national and international television and radio and has performed alongside acts such as The Chieftains, Niall Keegan,
Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Frankie Gavin, Eileen Ivers and The World Youth Chamber Orchestra. Damien has been described as “… one of the brightest lights
ascendant in the worlds of Donegal and Irish fiddle music. The excitement and energy of his playing is only matched by his precision, sensitivity and
musicality”.(Niall Keegan, The University of Limerick)

For more info see www.fidilmusic.com and www.myspace.com/fidilcd

Forthcoming Concert Listings
Thursday 26 November
Siamsa Tíre, Town Park, Tralee
Start Time: 8:00 PM
Ticket Prices: €18 / €15
Booking Phone: 066 7123055
Promoted by Siamsa Tíre

Friday 27 November
Ionad Cultúrtha, Baile Mhúirne
Start Time: 8:30 PM
Ticket Prices: €15 / €10 (unemployed & students) / € 5 (children)
Booking Phone: 026 45733
Promoted by Ionad Cultúrtha

Saturday 28 November
Riverbank Arts Centre, Main Street, Newbridge
Start Time: 8:00 PM
Ticket Prices: €15 / €12
Booking Phone: 045 448327
Promoted by Riverbank Arts Centre

Sunday 29 November
Áras Inis Gluaire, Áisleann Bhéal an Mhuirthead, Belmullet
Start Time: 8:30 PM
Ticket Prices: €15 / €12
Booking Phone: 097 81079
Promoted by Áras Inis Gluaire

Friday 11 December
The Factory Performance Space, Lower Quay Street, SLIGO
Start Time: 8pm
Tickets: €15 / €12
Booking Phone: 071 9171100
Promoted by Itchy Feet Promotions

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT LOUISE WALSH, MUSIC NETWORK
Tel. 01 671 9429/Mobile. 087 6490818
Louise Walsh
PR and Marketing Manager
Music Network

The Coach House
Dublin Castle
Dublin 2

Ph: +353 (0)1 6719429
Fax:+353 (0)1 6719430

www.musicnetwork.ie