Antóin has lived at Ashbourne, Co. Meath since the early 1970s. Originally from Kilcogy, Co. Cavan, he was taught to play the fiddle by neighbour, Terry Smith. In the mid 1960s Antóin came to Dublin to study at UCD. In 1971, he won the Fiddler of Dooney competition in Sligo, the Fiddler of Oriel in Monaghan, an tOireachtas and an tOireachtas Coirn Crotty (for previous winners of an tOireachtas). This abundance of winnings shows how much Tony’s musicianship and style had developed in the previous years due to the influence of those he played with.
There is always music in Antóins house, and every year they hold a traditional housedance with music & dance untill the early hours. This broadcast live on RTE for the 25th year in January 2019.
Antóin is a purist when it comes to traditional music, fiddle-playing, Irish language and culture. He is a continuously active promoter of fiddle-playing, traditional music, Irish language and culture, with numerous recording to his name. He is extremely keen to see it passed on to new generations, “ó glúin go glúin”. His attitude is traditional, yet refreshing; Tony is an ambassador of our culture.
MacDara is the youngest of the musical Ó Raghallaigh family from Rathmolyon, Co.Meath and he was reared on music. Their home on the family farm was one filled with traditional music and song, and Irish was the everyday spoken tongue. MacDara Ó Raghallaigh’s fiddle playing is often described as ‘brilliant’, ‘amazing’, ‘top-class’. These accolades indeed fit well as MacDara has earned a reputation as one of Ireland’s outstanding fiddle players. His playing style is highly individual, personal and deeply rooted in the pure tradition. What strikes you is the personality and flair in the music and the driving rhythm and pulse that is delivered by a powerful fluid bowhand.
Éamon Óg Ó Donnchadha is an uilleann piper from the Rath Chairn Gaeltacht. He also plays the tin whistle and the flute. Éamon Óg has a particular interest in slow airs and sean nós songs .
Éamon Óg had the priviledge of learning the art of playing the uilleann pipes from the master piper Brian McNamara, who shared his deep knowledge and exceptional understanding of of music and piping with Éamon.
Éamon has won many prizes at the fleadh cheoil and at Oireachtas na Gaeilge. Éamon regularly plays in the Bradán Feasa in Ráth Chairn and he has performed in National Concert Hall,at the Mòd in Scotland,he has played for the president of Ireland, Mary McAleese and for the King Carl XVI agus Queen Silvia of Sweden in May 2019.