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irish fiddle player máire breatnach...

2007 has been a busy year for Máire. She completed a CD with acclaimed harpist Cormac De Barra, which is soon to be released. An ongoing slow airs project is due for completion later this year. These are airs that Máire has written herself, and will be published both in book and in CD form.

A major project over the past two years was Máire’s involvement in the preparation of CDs to accompany a range of Irish language books aimed at the Naíonra (pre-school) and early- reading age groups. Máire produced, composed incidental music and performed on a range of instruments for the more than 40 titles involved, as well as narrating many of them.

Coincidentally, she also penned a short children’s story, Vera agus a Veidhlín, which, in collaboration with the distinguished artist Robert Ballagh, is scheduled for release by An Gúm in time for Christmas 2008.

On the academic front, Máire continues to maintain her links with UL (University of Limerick), both in a teaching capacity and in the area of long-term research. Máire has also been in demand for fiddle workshops, returning regularly to Éigse Eatharlaí at Galbally in July, and travelling among other places to Magee College in Derry and Tech Amergin near Caherciveen.

A particular highlight of 2007 was her participation in Donal O’Kelly’s “Running Beast”, a celebration of Hugh O’Neill, principal chieftain in the Flight of the Earls from Lough Swilly, Co. Donegal 400 years ago. This exciting production, with a score for chamber ensemble by Drogheda-based composer Michael Holohan, travelled the length and breadth of the country, and was also performed in Lisbon, Rome, Paris, Leuven (Louvain) and Warsaw.

During the year, Máire continued her regular monthly CD reviews in the magazine Comhar. She was also pleased to be invited to guest on new CDs by artists as diverse as Bryan Adams, Moya Brennan, Paul Casey, Thomas Loefke, The Masterson Clan and Garry Walsh. Her composition The Carillions also appears on “Midnight”, the most recent release from May Monday (Timo Alakotila, Karen Tweed, Roger Tallroth and Emma Reid).