Notes on Brid. (Courtesy of the Artist�s site, 2005)

Traditional Irish Tin Whistle & Flute

Br�d O'Donoghue has long been recognised as one of Ireland's finest whistle players, though she herself is very modest about her musical ability and has never sought the limelight. Paddy Canny, a wonderful fiddle player from East Clare considers Br�d the finest traditional whistle player he has heard.
A little biography
Br�d was born in Caherush, midway between Quilty and Miltown Malbay. She started playing the tin whistle at the age of six at Annagh National School where her school teacher was Tessie Walsh, sister-in-law of Junior Crehan. Her music was very much influenced by her uncle J.C. Talty and Willie Clancy. She grew up playing with and absorbing from the music of J.C. and Willie. Her love of whistle playing is as a result of this. Willie Clancy gave her much encouragement to continue playing the tin whistle. She remembers how Willie always made the time to to sit down and play with her during her visit to his house. He gave her much instruction on tunes and ornamentation at a very early age. _Br�d starting playing flute at the age of eighteen and enjoys playing the flute at sessions and c�il�s. She has a great love of the Irish Language and and Irish Culture.
Early accomplishments
Br�d has been awarded many prizes at national level in Sl�gadh, Fleadh Cheoil na h�ireann and Pan Celtic Festival. The highlight of these being when S�amus Ennis awarded her the Gradam as the finest traditional tinwhistle player in any age group at All-Ireland Sl�gadh in 1978.
The music continues
Br�d has been teaching tin whistle at The Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay almost from the outset. She has enjoyed seeing the school going from strength to strength over the years. She enjoys teaching students from all over the world and considers it "the highlight of her year" to teach at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy.
The music continues ...at home in the O'Brien Family
Br�d's love of music has been passed on to her five children, they all play tin whistle and piano as well as other instruments. Se�n plays flute; Eibhl�s, pipes; Deirdre, harp; Liam, concertina, and Sin�ad fiddle. They enjoy playing together and perform regularly at concerts, weddings, and other functions & occassions.