TG4 young musician of the Year 2003, fiddle player Ciarán Ó Maonaigh hails from the Gaoth Dobhair gaeltacht in Co. Donegal. He was heavily influenced by his extended family when growing up including his teacher Francie Mooney, Altan members Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy, Derry fiddle player Dermot McLaughlin as well as the Donegal fiddle legend John Doherty amongst others.
Ciarán, a 3 time Oireachtas fiddle champion, released his first album Ceol a’Ghleanna/The Music of the Glen (SPINCD1008) on the Claddagh Records label in 2004 and he has also produced numerous music documentarys for Irish TV stations RTÉ & TG4.
“His ability and appetite to play the music in all its bare-boned glory sets Ciarán Ó Maonaigh apart. Ceol a'Ghleanna/Music Of The Glen is a superb snapshot of his home place. Heart and soul in abundance, bravado nowhere to be seen.” (Siobhan Long- Irish Times)
“One of Ireland's most prodigious fiddling talents,” (Geoff Wallis – The Rough Guide to Irish Music)
