THE GREAT ONES (Well, a few of 'em anyway!)
Here is the rabbit hole of some of my favorite Irish (and some not-so-Irish) musicians, pulled randomly out of my, er, head.
I'm sure to have missed a bunch of REALLY GREAT ones! So, please send me your faves!
Please note: Some of these musicians are from the long-ago, so their recordings may not be exactly "easy listening" to the uninitiated. My advice: Get initiated!
Tin Whistle
I highly recommend the album "Tin Whistles" by Paddy Maloney and Sean Potts
Mary Bergin
Donncha O’Briain
Cathal McConnell
Grey Larson
Paddy Maloney
Sean Potts
Micho Russell
Joanie Madden
Willie Clancy
Francis McIlduff
Éamonn de Barra
Sean Ryan
​
Uilleann Pipes:
Paddy Keenan
Willie Clancy
Finbar Furey
Liam O’Flynn
Seamus Ennis
Mick O’Brien
Willie Clancy
Ronan Browne
Johnny Doran
Felix Doran
Paddy Moloney
Jerry O’Sullivan
Leo Rowsome
Kevin Rowsome
Patsy Touhey
Mikie Smith
Padraig McGovern
Tim Britton
Blackie O’Connell
Joe Shannon
Gay Mckeon
Joey Abarta
Robbie Hannon
John McSherry
Joe McKenna
Tommy Reck
Robbie Hannon
David Power
Pat Darcey
John McSherry
Francis McIlduff
​
Singers:
Dolores Keane
Colm O'Donnell
Josie McDermott
Johnny Moynihan
Noirn ne Riain
Willie Clancy
Robbie O'Connell
Seamus Ennis
Sorcha Ní Ghuairim
Nan Tom Teaimín de Búrca
Michael O’Domhnaill
Dick Gaughan
Nic Jones
Maddy Prior
June Tabor
Mary Black
Paul Brady
Liam Clancy
Joe Heaney
Triona Ni O’Domhnaill
Len Graham
Cathal McConnel
Frank Harte
Paddy Tunney
Margaret Barry
Jim Flanagan
Sarah Makem
Moya Brennan
Christy Moore
Maura O'Connell
Mick Hanley
Moya (Moira) Brennan
Mick Maloney
Kevin Conneff
Mary O'Hara
Bert Jansch
Frankie Armstrong
​
Flute:
Conal O'Grada
Fintan Vallely
Josie McDermot
Grey Larson
Paddy Taylor
Matt Molloy
June McCormack
Frankie Gavin
Harry Bradley
Seamus Tansey
Michael McGoldrick
Paddy Carty
Catherine McEvoy
John McKenna
Josie McDermott
Joe Burke
Joanie Madden
Éamonn de Barra
Paddy Carty
Vincent Broderick
Noel Rice
Kevin Crawford
​
Fiddle:
Kevin Burke
Liz Carroll
Eilleen Ivers
Brian Conway
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
Michael Coleman
James Morrison
Tommy Potts
Julia Clifford
Paddy Killoran
Frankie Gavin
Tommy Peoples
Siobhan Peoples
Paddy Glackin
James Kelly
Martin Hayes
Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh
Nealy Boyle
Colin Farrell
Sean Keane
​
Bands:
The Bothy Band
The Chieftains
The Voice Squad
Planxty
De Dannan
Pentangle
Kevin Burke and Michael O’Domhnaill
The Dubliners
The Clancy Brothers
The Tannahill Weavers
Altan
The Gloaming
Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill
The Boys of the Lough
Patrick Street
The Kilfenora Ceili Band
The Tulla Ceili Band
Matt Molloy, Paul Brady and Tommy Peoples
Steeleye Span
Fairport Convention
Solas
Kila
The Johnstons
Skara Brae
Dervish
Clannad
Lunasa
At First Light
Mick O’Connor and
Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh
Kornog
Guitar:
Paul Brady
Michael O'Domhnaill
Arty McGlyn
Martin Carthy
John Doyle
Bert Jansch
John Renbourne
Piere Bensusan
Mick Maloney
Liam Clancy
Fionán de Barra
Dennis Cahill
​
Bouzouki:
Alec Finn
Donal Lunny
Manus Lunny
Andy Irvine
​
Tenor Banjo:
Gerry O’Connor
Barney McKenna
Mick Maloney
Mick O’Connor
Shane Farrell
​
Mandolin:
Mick Maloney
Dave Richardson
Barney McKenna
Andy Irvine
Johnny Moynihan
​
Accordian, Melodian:
Joe Cooley
Joe Burke
Paddy O’Brien
Sharon Shannon
Martin O’Connor
Joe Kennedy
Jackie Daley
Billy McComoskey
​
Concertina:
Elizabeth Crotty
Noel Hill
Niall Vallely
​
Harmonica:
Pip Murphy
John Murphy
Eddie Clark
Tommy Basker
​
Piano/Keyboard:
Charlie Lennon
Beryl Merriott
Triona Ni O’Domhnaill
​
Harp
Máire Ní Chathasaigh
Cormac De Barra
Grainne Yeats
Grainne Hambly
Moya Brennan
Mary O'Hara
Robin Huw Bowen
Robin Williamson
Derk Bell
Alan Stivell
​
Bodhran
Johnny McDonagh
John Joe Kelly
Kevin Conneff
​