Gerry O'Connor (fiddler) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gerry O'Connor
O'Connor (centre) with "Skylark" on stage at the 1989 Port Fairy Folk Festival, Australia
Background information
Birth name	Gerry O'Connor
Born	Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland
Genres	Irish traditional Folk Celtic music
Occupation(s)	Musician, producer, composer, Music teacher
Years active	1983
Labels	Lughnasa Music Sony Music Claddagh Records Gael Linn
Associated acts	Eithne Ní Uallacháin, Dónal O'Connor, Gilles le Bigot, The Irish Rovers, Oirialla

Gerry "Fiddle" O'Connor is a famous traditional Irish fiddle player from Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. He is known for his amazing fiddle playing and for helping start popular bands like Skylark and La Lúgh. Gerry travels the world playing his fiddle and works on many exciting music projects.

Gerry's Musical Journey

Gerry O'Connor comes from a family of musicians. His family has played the fiddle for at least four generations! Gerry learned to play from his mother, Rose O'Connor. He also learned from old music notes passed down through his family. His father, Peter, was a singer.

Later, Gerry was inspired by another great fiddler, John Joe Gardiner from Sligo. Gerry loves to find and play old tunes from his home area in the North East of Ireland. He even recorded many of these forgotten songs on his 2004 album, Journeyman.

In 2018, Gerry received a special award called the Gradam award from CCE. This award honored him for his lifetime of work in traditional Irish music.

Bands and Collaborations

Gerry isn't just a solo artist; he has helped create three important bands:

• Skylark: This band has recorded four albums.
• La Lúgh: Gerry formed this band with Eithne Ní Uallacháin. Their album Brighid's Kiss was named album of the year in 1996 by Irish Music Magazine.
• Oirialla: This is his newer band. They play mostly new and old music from South Ulster.

Gerry has also played with the Irish Baroque Orchestra. He worked with Breton guitarist Gilles le Bigot to record a live album called In Concert in DZ. They have toured together every year since 2006, playing in countries like France, Germany, and Canada.

Since 2013, Gerry has been touring and recording with the famous band, The Irish Rovers. They have been playing music for over 50 years!

Beyond the Fiddle

Gerry O'Connor is also a skilled violin maker. When he's not touring, he fixes and supplies beautiful musical instruments. He even worked as a fiddle coach for a film called "Boys and Girls of County Clare" in 2003. He helped actors like Colm Meaney and Andrea Corr learn to play the fiddle for the movie.

Recently, Gerry has been working on a project called Compánach. This is a special show with music and songs that explain Irish Traditional music. A double CD of the show has been recorded.

Gerry's Family Life

Gerry is married to Síle Boylan, who is also a fiddle player. They have two young children together.

Gerry was also married to the singer Eithne Ní Uallacháin. They had four children who are also very musical:

• Dónal: Their oldest son is a fiddler, producer, and studio owner. He plays with bands like At First Light.
• Siubhán: Their daughter is a lawyer, but she also plays the fiddle and sings.
• Feilimí: Their second son is a television director and producer, and he sings.
• Finnian: Their third son plays the Uilleann Pipes. He has toured in Europe and the USA with different dance shows.

Discography

Here are some of the albums Gerry O'Connor has been a part of:

Active Projects

• Last Night's Joy (2018)
• Companach (2018)
• Oirialla (2011)
• White Raven: The Place where Life Began (2006)
• In Concert, with Gilles le Bigot (2005)
• Jig Away the Donkey (2011)
• Journeyman (2004)
• Merry Merry Time of Year (2011) (with The Irish Rovers)

With Lá Lúgh

• Bilingua (2014)
• Senex Puer (1998)
• Brighid's Kiss (1996)
• Lá Lúgh (1991)
• Cosa gan Bhróga (1987)

With Skylark

• Raining Bicycles (1996)
• Light and Shade (1992)
• All of It (1989)
• Skylark (1987)