Mick O'Brien (musician) facts for kids

Mick O'Brien (born on March 26, 1961) is a talented musician from Ireland. He is known for playing traditional Irish music, especially on the uilleann pipes.

Mick's Musical Journey

Mick was born in Dublin, Ireland. He started learning music, especially the uilleann pipes, at a famous place called the Thomas Street Pipers Club. His father, Dinny O'Brien, played a traditional "box" instrument (like an accordion). His dad also taught Mick many songs and inspired him a lot.

When Mick was just 13, he recorded his first album with his family. Later, he joined an organization called Na Píobairí Uilleann. This group helps promote playing the uilleann pipes. There, Mick learned many songs and became very skilled at playing.

You can hear Mick's music on many recordings. He has played with famous groups like The Dubliners and with musicians like Frankie Gavin. He has also performed with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Mick has traveled a lot, performing and teaching music across Europe and North America. His own solo CD, "May Morning Dew", came out in 1996. It features traditional Irish music and was very popular.

In 2003, Mick released another album called Kitty Lie Over. He made this album with fiddler Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh. A music critic named Earle Hitchner called it the best Traditional Album of 2003 in the Irish Echo newspaper. They released a second album together in 2011, called Deadly Buzz Aoibhinn Crónán.

Mick has also worked with several Irish composers. These include Michael Holohan, Linda Buckley, and Dave Flynn. In 2011, he performed the first-ever set of special musical pieces called Études for Uilleann Pipes. Dave Flynn wrote these pieces just for Mick.

Mick's Instruments

Mick plays uilleann pipes that were made in 1921 by William Rowsome. A craftsman named Alain Froment made a new part for his pipes called a chanter. Alain also made Mick's other sets of pipes. Mick's whistles, which are another type of instrument, were made by Mike Burke in the USA.