Paddy Fahy was an Irish fiddle player and composer from Kilconnell, County Galway, Ireland. He played the fiddle in a lyrical and expressive style associated with East Galway. A prolific composer, he composed over 60 tunes, many of which have become staples of the tradition.
Packie Duignan was an Irish flute player from Aughabehy, County Leitrim. Born in 1922, Duignan grew up in a region rich in musical heritage, which significantly influenced his development as a musician. His style was deeply rooted in the music of his native County Leitrim and the nearby County Roscommon. This area, particularly in the early to mid-20th century, was a hotbed of traditional Irish music, fostering a unique style characterized by a rhythmic and lively approach to melody.
Jack Dolan – Irish flute player from Drumkeeran in County Leitrim. He plays flute in the characteristic rhythmic style of Leitrim/North Connaught. He emigrated to New York then spent some time in London in the 70s where he was recorded by Lucy Farr; he can be heard on the Topic Records release It Was Great Altogether – The continuing tradition of Irish music in London. He also made several recordings with flute player Charley Higgins, also of Co. Leitrim.
Harry Bradley is an Irish flute player from Belfast. His style is often described as energetic and powerful, with a strong emphasis on the rhythm and drive characteristic of the Northern flute style.
Influenced by the recording heritage of the 1920s and 1930s, as well as the fiddle and flute music of Leitrim and Sligo and the piping of Séamus Ennis, he is recognised as one of the most distinctive voices in Irish flute playing today. He combines his influences with a strong tone, driving rhythm and a creative touch into his own unique style.
Michael McGoldrick is an influential Irish flute, low whistle and uilleann pipe player from Manchester who has been a prominent figure in the folk music scene since the early 1990s. He has a uniquely creative style of flute playing, flowing and ornamented with use of “blue notes” and outside influences, all while staying anchored in the Irish tradition.
Cormac Breatnach is an influential Irish whistle and low whistle player from Dublin, co founder of the band Deiseal. His style on the low whistle is a unique fusion of traditional Irish music with innovative jazz and blues influences. He is known for his deep, resonant tone and fluid, lyrical phrasing. His use of intricate ornamentation and rhythmic versatility, combined with elements of improvisation, sets his style apart. His distinctive approach makes his low whistle playing not only technically impressive but also deeply emotive and engaging.
John Egan (1903–1989) was a famous Irish flute player from Sooey, County Sligo. he played the flute in the strong rhythmic style of Sligo/Leitrim. He learned to play the flute from a local flutist named James Doyle, who lived in Egan’s parish in Lacka, Drumfin, birthplace of fiddler James Morrison.
Davy Spillane is an Irish Uilleann piper and low whistle player from Dublin, known for his solo work as well as his work with the band Moving Hearts. His style on the pipes and whistle is expressive and evocative, and in his recorded works he has fused Irish traditional music with other genres.
Micho Russell (1915 – 1994) was an Irish traditional musician, renowned for his tin whistle playing. Born in Doolin, County Clare, Ireland, Russell came from a region known for its rich musical heritage. He grew up in a family that valued music; his brothers, Pakie and Gussie, were also noted traditional musicians.
Joanie Madden is an Irish flute and whistle player from New York. Here parents were Irish immigrants, and her father, Joe Madden, a button accordion player from County Galway, Ireland. Madden’s early exposure to Irish music in her family played a significant role in her musical development.
She won the All-Ireland Championship in both the tin whistle and flute, demonstrating her skill in traditional Irish music. Madden’s style incorporates elements of traditional style with influences from her upbringing in the United States.
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