Antóin Mac Gabhann
Fiddle
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.