Máire Breatnach facts for kids

Máire Breatnach is a talented Irish musician. She plays the fiddle, violin, and viola. She also sings in the Irish language on some of her music albums. Since the 1990s, Máire has released many solo albums. She has also worked with many other musicians. She has even created learning materials for children, mostly in Irish.

Máire Breatnach's Early Life and Education

Máire Breatnach was born in Dublin, Ireland. She studied at University College Dublin. There, she earned several degrees in music and arts. After her studies, she taught at the university. She also taught at the College of Music in Dublin. Later, she decided to become a full-time musician. Máire continued her studies and earned more degrees. She got a Master's degree in Ethnomusicology. This is the study of music from different cultures. In 2013, she earned her PhD from Dublin City University.

Máire Breatnach's Music Career

Máire Breatnach is most famous for playing the fiddle. She has released many solo albums. She has also been part of many traditional Irish music groups. Máire sings in Irish on some of her songs. Her song Éist even won an award!

Working with Famous Musicians

Máire has worked with many well-known artists. She has played with Sharon Shannon and Moya Brennan from the band Clannad. She has also worked with Mary Black. You can hear her music on albums by Mike Oldfield and Bryan Adams. She has also played with The Chieftains, a very famous Irish band.

Riverdance and Other Shows

In the 1990s, Máire was the first fiddle player for Riverdance. This was a very popular Irish dance show. The main song from Riverdance was a huge hit. It was performed at the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest. You can see and hear Máire playing on the original Riverdance DVD.

Máire has also played on music for video games. She worked on Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon. She also helped create the soundtrack for Xenogears, called Creid. She has worked with other musicians like Thomas Loefke. Their music is on albums like Norland Wind.

Music for TV and Movies

Máire's music has been featured in many TV shows and films. In Ireland, her music was in shows like Glenroe and Tinteán on RTÉ. She also played music for movies such as In the Name of the Father and The Secret of Roan Inish. Her music was also in Rob Roy and Moondance.

Máire Breatnach's Writing and Academic Work

Máire Breatnach has also written for newspapers and magazines. She wrote a music column for an Irish language newspaper. Later, she wrote for an Irish magazine called Comhar.

Books for Children

Since 2007, Máire has created CDs and books for children. These materials help young children learn the Irish language. She has produced music and played instruments for over 40 titles. She has also narrated many of these stories. Her first book for children was Vera agus a Veidhlín. It is a musical story illustrated by Robert Ballagh. It was published in 2008.

In 2022, Máire published her second children's book. It is called Mábúis – Cat ar Misean. This book is for readers aged 10 to 14. It was illustrated by Dómhnal Ó Bric.

Selected Music Albums

Here are some of Máire Breatnach's albums:

Solo Albums

• Angels' Candles (1993)
• The Voyage of Bran (1994)
• Celtic Lovers (1997)
• Angels' Candles/Coinnle na nAingeal (1999)
• Dreams and Visions in Irish Song / Aislingí Ceoil (2002)
• Cranna Ceoil / In Full Measure (2009)

Collaborations (Working with Others)

• Riverdance: Music from the Show (1995)
• Tarraing Téad / Pulling Strings (with Cormac De Barra) (2010)