Accordion

From Dumha Thuama in the Erris Gaeltacht in North Mayo, Fiachna Ó Mongáin is influenced by the music of local Erris musicians, past and present, as well as Joe Cooley, Tony MacMahon, and Des Mulkere. Fiachna is a past recipient of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Young Musician of the Year award. He has featured on numerous recordings, including the “Tunes in the Church” compilation, “Amhráin Iorrais” and "Music of Mayo (Ceol Mhaigh Eo)."

Liam is from the Erris Gaeltacht, an area steeped in accordion music. He started to play at age six under his great-grandmother’s guidance. He continued to play at school and later took lessons with accordionist David Munnelly. Liam's music has been shaped by local musicians and he has a keen interest in early recordings of Irish music made in the US.

A renowned Irish singer and accordion player, a native of Tourmakeady in the County Mayo Gaeltacht, Mary inherits a long musical tradition. Her grandmother, Nora Staunton, was one of the most respected 'box players' in the locality and was always in demand for the local house dances. Mary's father Mattie was a well-known fiddle player and her mother Kathleen as well as being a fine singer also plays the accordion. From an early age, Mary had been singing. During her teenage years, Mary played regularly with fellow Mayo musician, John Hoban, and in later years with acclaimed musicians including Alec Finn, Steve Cooney and Frankie Lane.
Mary's accordion playing is sweet and supple, and she shares with her near contemporaries Sharon Shannon and Josephine Marsh a penchant for picking unusual and rarely heard tunes as well as established classics. Her style is one very well suited to old fashioned melodian-style jigs. Her choice selection of rarely played tunes also includes the beautiful slow air 'Inishcarra' and an eccentric reel called 'The Hop Down' learned from a recording by Galway sisters Sarah and Rita Keane. Mary released her first album in 1998. Her second, Circle of Friends, was launched in County Galway in July 2010. Mary plays regular sessions in Kinvara and in Westport with Julie Langan.