The House of Plenty (Traditional Irish Music .)

Aidan is a remarkably knowledgeable and modest musician.  He was generous with his time and his stories and I very much appreciated his support and engagement with this fledgling project.
In this episode he talks about his own academic research and how  that has impacted on his playing, whether as a solo artist, recording and performing with his band Fidil or just playing in a session.
He also talks about his fiddles ( his main fiddle has quite the history and he has stayed faithful to it despite being offered superior instruments) and some of the innovative alternative tunings  that he uses.
He also chats about his work with Music Generation in Tipperary and he has a very unique nomination process for the Cliffs of (MtRush) Moher....I think he mentions everyone !
Enjoy.

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Aidan O'Donnell is committed to his craft.  
TG4 Gradam Ceoil Young Musician of the Year 2010, in this first of a two part episode, he talks of his musical beginnings in what he terms the Donegal sound community.  We get an insight into his single minded determination to become the fiddle master that he is today and we hear how, as a young student in the University of Limerick,  he almost committed an act of unspeakable cultural vandalism...but had the good sense not to !!!

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Join me as I chat with Ned Kelly ; accordion legend and Gradam Ceoil winner in 2020.    Ned is known as a wonderful player, writes some great tunes, is an excellent teacher and could talk for Ireland !   
I first met Ned almost 30 years ago and he has been one of the most significant characters in my musical journey.  I jokingly call him my 'neighbour in law',   (my wife is from the same 
parish !) and we have had many the musical adventure together.   
He currently leads the In Tune for Life Orchestra, a youth traditional music orchestra......though both he and I raise their  average age quite considerably ...based in Ballycommon, just outside Nenagh.        
We chat about the early musical memories that shaped him,  what motivates him and how he uses his music to both  inspire others and to make a significant  contribution  to  his  community.  

Here are some YouTube links:

Gradam Ceoil performance                   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdIKYXX53H8
Geantrai   ( with Michael Harrisson and Michael King )  
                                                                                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxUjoVN6HzQ

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Welcome to The House of Plenty, a traditional Irish music podcast, based in Ireland, bringing you interviews, tunes, opinions, banter and tall tales.
Official launch will be in mid August, 2022
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