Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Irish pronunciation: [ˈmaɾʲed̪ nʲiː ˈwiːn̪i]) (born 26 July, 1962 in Gweedore, County Donegal) is an Irish fiddler and the lead vocalist for the Irish traditional band Altan.
Ní Mhaonaigh grew up in Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair), County Donegal, Ireland. She is virtuosic even in a musical genre dominated by fiddle players; distinguished because of her Donegal repertoire from other singers. Mairéad has always had an equal love of ...
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Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Irish pronunciation: [ˈmaɾʲed̪ nʲiː ˈwiːn̪i]) (born 26 July, 1962 in Gweedore, County Donegal) is an Irish fiddler and the lead vocalist for the Irish traditional band Altan.
Ní Mhaonaigh grew up in Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair), County Donegal, Ireland. She is virtuosic even in a musical genre dominated by fiddle players; distinguished because of her Donegal repertoire from other singers. Mairéad has always had an equal love of singing and again learnt many songs from neighbours and friends in Gaoth Dobhair.
Her father, Proinsias Ó Maonaigh, taught her to play the fiddle. She received tuition and inspiration from fiddler Dinny McLaughlin, who was a frequent visitor to the home when she was young. Ciarán Tourish, who would later join Altan, was also a frequent visitor to the family home and also received tuition from McLaughlin.
Ní Mhaonaigh has two siblings. Her brother Gearóid played guitar for Ragairne (a short-lived band formed by Ní Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy)...
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