Maeve Donnelly facts for kids

Maeve Donnelly is a famous Irish traditional fiddle player. She is known for her special way of playing traditional Irish music. Many people think she is one of the best fiddle players around!

Maeve's Early Life and Musical Journey

Maeve Donnelly was born in County Galway, near a beautiful place called Kylemore Abbey. She grew up in Loughrea. Even though her parents were not musicians, Maeve started playing music when she was very young. She loved the fiddle!

When she was just nine years old, Maeve won her first big competition. It was the All-Ireland Fiddle Competition! This was a huge achievement for such a young musician. Her three brothers also play music, with instruments like the accordion, banjo, and fiddle. So, music became a big part of her family.

Touring and More Awards

As she grew older, Maeve continued to share her music. She traveled to the United States several times to play for audiences. She toured in 1976 for the Bicentennial celebration, and again in 1978 and 1983.

Maeve kept winning more awards for her amazing fiddle playing. In the 1970s, she won two more All-Ireland fiddle titles. She also won the National Slogadh Competition for Solo Fiddle. In 1981, she won The Stone Fiddle Competition in County Fermanagh.

Life as a Musician and Teacher

After college in Dublin, Maeve moved to Quin, County Clare where she lives now. She is very busy with her music. She travels to perform concerts and records new albums. Maeve also teaches music to others, helping new musicians learn the fiddle.

Maeve's Music Albums

Maeve Donnelly has released many albums where you can hear her unique fiddle playing. Here are some of her recordings:

• Sailing Into Walpole's Marsh - with Mairéad Ní Domhnaill, Sean Corcoran, Eddie Clarke - 1977
• Moving Cloud - with Paul Brock, Manus McGuire, Kevin Crawford, Carl Hession - 1995
• Foxglove - with her band, Moving Cloud - 1998
• Her Infinite Variety - a collection of songs by Celtic Women - 1998
• Éigse Dhiarmuidín - live concert recordings - 2001
• Maeve Donnelly - her own album - 2002
• The Thing Itself - with Peadar O'Loughlin - 2004
• Flame On The Banks - with Tony McManus - 2008