This recital will see some of Ireland’s leading traditional musicians come together to celebrate the legacy of Liam O’Flynn with spoken words from actor Stephen Rea and music from Mary Bergin, Colm Broderick, Tony Linnane and Mick Conneely. 

Colm Broderick is an All-Ireland winning young piper from Carlow. In 2019 he was presented with Liam O’Flynn’s concert pitch set of uilleann pipes by Na Píobairí Uilleann (NPU). This Leo Rowsome set of pipes were bequeathed to NPU on Liam’s death in 2018. Colm will open this recital with his customary informed, skilled and sensitive playing.

Mary Bergin is an acclaimed whistle player originally from Dublin but has lived most of her life in An Spidéal, Co. Galway. Described by the Irish Times as “just about the best tin whistle player this century” she received the prestigious Traditional Musician of the Year Award at the Gradam Ceoil TG4 in 2000. Her seminal solo albums Feadóga Stáin (1979) and Feadóga Stáin 2 (1993) are modern classics. Bergin is also a founding member of the group Dordán.

Tony Linnane’s 1979 album with Noel Hill is a classic recording in Irish music and helped launch the career of this legendary Clare musician. His understated, tasteful and subtle fiddle playing makes Tony a favourite among traditional musicians and this is a rare opportunity to hear him play. Linnane and Noel Hill recorded and toured with Liam O’Flynn and Planxty on the 1980 album The Woman I loved so Well.

Mick Conneely is a multi-talented bouzouki and fiddle player, originally from the UK but with roots in Connemara. He has played with De Dannan periodically since 1991 and has recorded on many CDs, including his solo CD Selkie (2013) and with Dave Munnelly Tis what it is (2012).

The Liam O'Flynn Series is presented by Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) in association with the National Concert Hall and supported by the Arts Council.