Ciarán Ó Maonaigh & Aidan O’Donnell

Ciarán Ó Maonaigh and Aidan O’Donnell are two young fiddle players who hail from opposite ends of that most musical of counties, Donegal. Ciarán is from the Gaoth Dobhair gaeltacht in north Donegal while Aidan hails from Dunkineely in the south of the county. They are 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.Fiddle player Ciarán Ó Maonaigh is from the Gaoth Dobhair gaeltacht in Co. Donegal. He was heavily influenced by his extended family when growing up including his grandfather, Francie Mooney, Altan members Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy, Derry fiddle player Dermot McLaughlin as well as the Donegal fiddle legend John Doherty. Ciarán first album ‘Ceol a’Ghleanna/The Music of the Glen’ (SPINCD1008) was released in 2004 and he has also Produced a documentary series on Donegal music – Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí for the Irish tv station TG4. Ciarán was honoured with the TG4 “Young Traditional Musician of the Year” award in 2003.Aidan O’Donnell, from Dunkineely, Co.Donegal, has been described as one of the finest young Irish musicians at present and has been acknowledged as one of the foremost emerging exponents of the fiery southwest Donegal style of fiddle playing.Aidan began his music making at the age of 12, and since then has played with some of traditional music’s finest artists. His influences include local musicians such as Martin Wilson and his cousins The Campbells, as well as the older generations of Donegal fiddle players such as the Dohertys, the Ó Beirns and The Cassidys.In 2007, he won the prestigious ‘Oireachtas na Gaeilge’ 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 Chieftans).“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 ‘06) Ciarán Ó Maonaigh & Aidan O’Donnell’s album – “Fidil” –FID001CD is due for release in Summer 2008.For further info see www.fidilmusic.com