Dónal O'Connor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dónal O'Connor
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Dónal O'Connor
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Dónal O'Connor |
| Born | Ravensdale, County Louth, Ireland |
| Genres | Irish traditional Folk Celtic music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, producer, composer, Music teacher, Television presenter |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | At First Light Compass Records Vertical Records |
| Associated acts | At First Light, Gerry O'Connor, Eithne Ní Uallacháin, Bob Brozman, Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, Len Graham |
Dónal O'Connor is a talented Irish musician, producer, and TV presenter from Ravensdale, County Louth, Ireland. He plays many instruments and has been part of popular Irish traditional music groups like Ulaid and At First Light. He also played in his parents' band, Lá Lugh.
Contents
About Dónal O'Connor
Growing Up with Music
Dónal grew up in a home where Irish was spoken. His dad, Gerry O'Connor, is a famous fiddle player. His mom, Eithne Ní Uallacháin, was a singer and flute player.
His grandparents were also very musical. His grandpa, Pádraig Ó hUallacháin, collected songs and was a writer. His grandma, Eithne, was also musical. His other grandma, Rose O'Connor, was a fiddle player and teacher too. Dónal is also the nephew of well-known singers Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin and Len Graham.
Dónal's Musical Journey
Starting Out (1996–2005)
Dónal first played the fiddle on an album called Brighid's Kiss in 1996. This album was by Lá Lugh, his parents' band. Irish Music Magazine readers voted it Album of the Year.
In 2001, Dónal joined a new group called 'At First Light'. They toured Ireland and played at big festivals like Helsinki Folk Festival. That same year, he produced an album for his aunt, Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin. It was even nominated for a song contest!
Dónal also played on the New Irish Hymns album in 2003. He even presented a radio show called Cualán on BBC Radio Ulster. He also helped with the music for the 2003 film, The Boys and Girl from County Clare.
In 2004, Dónal performed on TV shows like RTÉ's The Raw Bar and TG4's Geantraí. He was also featured on TG4's Sé Mo Laoch, which focused on his grandma, Rose O'Connor. Dónal also played on Brian Kennedy's album On Song and helped produce his dad's album, Journeyman.
New Projects and Tours (2006–2010)
In 2006, Dónal released Tripswitch with John McSherry, who plays the Uilleann pipes. Their music mixed Irish, Celtic, and Celtiberian sounds. Critics really liked Tripswitch, and it got great reviews.
Dónal and John named their touring band At First Light. They played on many radio and TV shows to promote their album. In 2006, Dónal also presented a 10-part music series on BBC2 called An Stuif Ceart.
In 2008, Dónal created short musical pieces for BBC Radio Ulster. He also toured a lot, playing at festivals like Temple Bar TradFest. In 2009, At First Light played at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow and the World Folk Cultures Festival in Taiwan.
In 2010, Dónal released Six Days in Down with John McSherry and American guitarist Bob Brozman. They talked about the album on BBC Radio 3's Late Junction. The group toured the UK and Ireland to promote the album.
Recent Work (2011–Present)
In 2011, Dónal was asked to compose a special piece of music called Gort na Glaise. He performed it with other musicians. He also arranged music for an Uilleann pipe orchestra of 45 players!
Dónal produced and played on Belfast singer Gráinne Holland's first album, Teanga na nGael, in 2011. Later that year, his band At First Light released their debut album, Idir. The group toured all over Europe to share their new music.
In 2012, Dónal produced his aunt Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin's album LET THE FAIRIES IN. He also composed the music for a film called Shalom – Belfast. Dónal and John McSherry often perform at The Soma Festival in Castlewellan, County Down.
In 2015, Dónal joined John McSherry and Sean Óg Graham to record Ulaid. This trio has toured a lot and played with many famous singers. In 2017, Ulaid teamed up with Duke Special to record a live album called 'A Note Let Go'. They sometimes perform together, telling the story of Belfast through song.
Dónal continues to produce music at his Redbox recording Studios in Belfast. He also works as a producer for traditional music shows on TV and radio in Ireland and the UK.
Dónal's Albums
- 2017 – A Note Let Go (with Ulaid & Duke Special)
- 2015 – Ulaid (with John McSherry & Seán Óg Graham)
- 2012 – Idir (with At First Light)
- 2011 – Gort na Glaise (Dónal O'Connor)
- 2008 – Six Days in Down (with Bob Brozman and John McSherry)
- 2006 – Tripswitch (with John McSherry & Dónal O'Connor)
Other Music Projects
Dónal has also helped produce many albums for other artists, including:
- 2004 – Journeyman (for Gerry O'Connor)
- 2012 – Teanga na nGael (for Gráinne Holland)
- 2014 – Bilingua (for Eithne Ní Uallacháin)
- 2018 – Last Night's Joy (for Gerry O'Connor)
- 2024 – Seven Daughters of the Sea (for Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin)
He has also appeared on albums by other musicians, such as:
- 1996 – Brighid's Kiss (with Lá Lugh)
- 2003 – New Irish Hymns (with Moya Brennan, Joanne Hogg, Margaret Becker)
- 2004 – On Song (with Brian Kennedy)
- 2010 – Soma (with John McSherry)
- 2024 – Seven Daughters of the Sea (with Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin)
Dónal has also worked on recording and mixing music for many artists, including:
- 2011 – Réalta – Open the Door for Three
- 2012 – The Olllam
- 2013 – Ronan Le Bars Group – Lammadour
- 2019 – The Blackwater Céilí Band – Music in the Valley
