Gerry O'Connor
Encyclopedia
Gerry "Fiddle" O'Connor (born in Dundalk
, County Louth
, Ireland
) is a traditional Irish fiddle
player.
His family has played fiddle for at least four generations and Gerry learned his music from his mother, Rose O'Connor, and also from hand-written manuscripts passed down through the family.
He later came under the influence of John Joe Gardiner, the great Sligo
fiddle player, who lived in Dundalk for many years. Gerry's performances concentrate on long forgotten tunes from his home area in the North East of Ireland, many of which were recorded on his 2004 album, Journeyman.
In addition to his solo performances and recordings, O'Connor is a founding member of two bands: Skylark (who have recorded four albums) and La Lúgh (whose album Brighid's Kiss was voted album of the year in 1996 by readers of Irish Music Magazine).
Gerry is also an established fiddle repairer and he concentrates on this work when he is not touring. He now lectures in traditional Irish music at the Dundalk Institute of Technology and is regarded as one of the most disciplined and respected teachers within the faculty. He has sometimes been confused with a banjo player of the same name, and hence adopted the name Gerry "Fiddle" O'Connor.
With Skylark
With Lá Lugh
Other Albums
Dundalk
Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations...
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
) is a traditional Irish fiddle
Irish fiddling
The Irish fiddle is one of the most important instruments in the traditional repertoire of Irish music. The fiddle itself is identical to the violin, however it is played differently in widely-varying regional styles.-Contemporary performers:...
player.
His family has played fiddle for at least four generations and Gerry learned his music from his mother, Rose O'Connor, and also from hand-written manuscripts passed down through the family.
He later came under the influence of John Joe Gardiner, the great Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
fiddle player, who lived in Dundalk for many years. Gerry's performances concentrate on long forgotten tunes from his home area in the North East of Ireland, many of which were recorded on his 2004 album, Journeyman.
In addition to his solo performances and recordings, O'Connor is a founding member of two bands: Skylark (who have recorded four albums) and La Lúgh (whose album Brighid's Kiss was voted album of the year in 1996 by readers of Irish Music Magazine).
Gerry is also an established fiddle repairer and he concentrates on this work when he is not touring. He now lectures in traditional Irish music at the Dundalk Institute of Technology and is regarded as one of the most disciplined and respected teachers within the faculty. He has sometimes been confused with a banjo player of the same name, and hence adopted the name Gerry "Fiddle" O'Connor.
Discography
- Gerry O'Connor & Gilles Le Bigot - In Concert, 2005
- Journeyman, 2004
With Skylark
- Skylark, 1987 (Claddagh Records)
- All of It, 1989 (Claddagh Records)
- Light and Shade, 1992 (Claddagh Records)
- Raining Bicycles, 1996 (Claddagh Records)
With Lá Lugh
- Cosa gan Bhróga", 1987 (Gael Linn)
- Lá Lugh, 1991 (Claddagh Records)
- Brighid's Kiss, 1996 (Lughnasa Music)
- Senex Puer 1998 (Sony Music Entertainment)
Other Albums
- The Celts Rise Again, 1990 (Green Linnet)
- Bringing it all back Home, 1991
- Musita 1987-94, 1995 (Ribium)