Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh was born and raised in the heartland of the Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht in Donegal. She is a native speaker and learnt 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 learnt 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.
Mairéad harvested inspiration at first from her family and neighbours. Many musicians and singers visited her home was she was growing up, which influences the young girl.
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.
Rugadh agus tógadh Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh i gceartlár Ghaeltacht Ghaoth Dobhair i gCondae Dhún na nGall. Is cainteoir dúchais Gaeilge í agus fuair sí a cuid amhrán agus a cuid ceoil óna muintir agus óna comharsanaigh. Tá aithne forleathan uirthi mar dhuine de na príomh fhidléirí a sheinneann i stíl aitheanta Dhún na nGall.
Glacann Mairéad an ceol seo ar ardáin lena banna Altan, ag seinm cheol Thír Chonaill go bródúil ar fud na cruinne. Fuair sí a cuid ceoil agus fidleoireachta óna h-athair Proinsias Ó Maonaigh, duine de na múinteoirí fidle ba thábhachtaí sa taobh sin tíre. Tá Mairéad ar bhunaitheoirí Chairdeas na bhFidléirí, cumann a tosaíodh níos mó ná 25 bliain ó shin le saibhreas fidléireachta an chontae sin a fhorbairt agus a chaomhnú don todhchaí.
Fuair Mairéad ionspráid ar dtús óna theaghlach agus a cuid comharsana. Ba ghnáth le cuid mhór ceoltóirí cuairt a thabhairt ar a baile agus í ag fás aníos agus is mór an tionchar a d’imir sin ar an chailín óg.
Cáilíodh Mairéad mar mhúinteoir bunscoile sa bhliain 1979 agus chuaigh sí i mbun mhúinteoireachta i Mullach Íde, Co. Átha Cliath. Sa bhliain 1987, shocraigh sí féin agus a fear céile, Frankie Kennedy dul don cheol ar bhonn lánaimseartha agus bhunaigh siad Altan. Chuaigh an banna ó neart go neart thar na blianta ag seinm ceol Thír Chonaill ó Nua Eabhrach go Tokyo agus ar ais arís. D’fhan siad dílis don cheol agus do na h-amhráin, a d’fhoghlaim siad óna muintir ar ais i nDún na nGall sna cistiní agus ag na seisiúin.
Chomh maith le bheith ag seinm le hAltan, tá ráchairt ar Mhairéad mar aoi aonarach agus feictear í ag cur ceoil i láthair ar chláracha raidió ar nós The Long Note, agus ar chláracha teilifíse mar The Pure Drop agus níos déanaí, The Full Set. Bhí Mairéad ghíomhach ar albaim eile i gcuideachta léithidí Enya, The Chieftains, Dolly Parton, The String Sisters srl. Ba mhaith léi am a ghlacadh amach le ceol a chumadh san am atá le theacht.