Albam Griangraf Dhún na nGall - A Donegal Photo Album
A Donegal Photo Album
Mhairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
An insight into the life of a musician
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and the vibrant Donegal Gaeltacht traditional music scene.
15th January – 11th February 2015
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh is renowned internationally as one of Ireland's leading musicians. Together with her band Altan, she has played the music of Donegal with pride on stages throughout the world. This exhibition looks at Mairéad's remarkable life in music viewed through her personal archive of photographs. Mairéad was born and raised in the heartland of the Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht in Donegal. She is a native speaker and learnt her songs and tunes from family and neighbours. Her late father Francie Mooney was one of the most important fiddle teachers in that part of the country.
The exhibition, organised as part of Tradfest 2015, presents photographs charting her career with Altan, musical collaborations with leading Irish and international musicians and a small selection of recorded performances. Private family photographs featuring her father Francie, brother Gearóid, sister Anna and mother Kitty take you behind the scenes and give an insight into a childhood steeped in the unique musical tradition of County Donegal. Also on show is an edited selection of archival press cuttings, carefully collated by her mother Kitty, which chart her impressive career. A full length documentary made by Ciarán Ó Maonaigh about his grandfather Francie Mooney ÁÍt i mo Chroi is also featured.
As well as playing with Altan, Mairéad is also renowned for her work on other projects. She is a founder member of Cairdeas na bhFidléirí founded over twenty-five years ago to promote, develop and keep alive the rich heritage of County Donegal. She has presented music programmes on both radio and television, which include: The Long Note, The Pure Drop, and lately, The Full Set. Mairéad is featured on recordings with Enya, The Chieftains, Dolly Parton, The String Sisters, T with the Maggies and many others. Mairéad has more recently presented two music TV series for RTÉ1, in 2013 and 2014, Aniar Aduaidh and Guth na nGael as well as Aistear na nGael, a history documentary for BBC Northern Ireland. She hopes to take time out to compose new music in the future.