About

T with the Maggies are Tríona & Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh & Moya Brennan

In May 2007, a remarkable gathering of traditional Irish musicians and singers came together at Vicar Street in Dublin to celebrate the life and music of Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, who, with Skara Brae and The Bothy Band, had been a pioneering force in Irish music.

Among the many artists and groups coming together that evening was an evocative performance by four of Ireland’s finest female singers. Tríona and Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill (Míchaél’s two sisters, concert organisers and co-members of Skara Brae and The Bothy Band) were joined by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan and Moya Brennan of Clannad.

And so was born one of the most inspirational and heartening collaborations in traditional Irish music.

Tríona, Maighread, Mairéad and Moya, T with the Maggies, all come from the same corner of County Donegal (with Gaelic as their first language) and all have illustrious career histories. Each individual brings a unique and varied interpretation of their musical heritage but the result is one of the finest ever amalgamations of Irish female voices. They are real Celtic women!

Their first show in January 2009, at the Temple Bar Tradfest in Dublin, sold out immediately and they went on to perform at last year’s Irish Global Economic summit. A new recording of their repertoire favourite, Two Sisters, was commissioned by Sam Shepard, for his play, ‘Ages of the Moon’.

On the stage the ‘Maggies bubble with a mixture of instinctive tone, harmony and a generous helping of laughs. Each bring their choice of songs but mould them into the group with a unique soundscape of voice, piano, fiddle and harp. You can tell that they are the best of friends.

T with the Maggies’ debut album ‘T with the Maggies‘, in Ireland, October 29th 2010.

Artist biographies

Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill performed with both Skara Brae and The Bothy Band. In the late 70’s she moved from Ireland to the USA where she formed Touchstone. When her brother, Mícheál, also emigrated they both enjoyed considerable acclaim with Relativity and Nightnoise. Tríona has recently released her latest solo album, ‘The Key’s Within’. Visit website

Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill was also with Skara Brae and is renowned for her distinctive sean-nós style which she has taken worldwide as an ambassador and champion of Irish tradition. Her father and aunt were avid collectors of traditional songs. Besides her numerous collaborations, including those with sister Triona and as a member of Dónal Lunny’s Coolfin, she has released a number of solo albums, including the pivotal, ‘No Dowry’ in 1991. Buy on iTunes

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh formed Altan with her late husband Frankie Kennedy in the late 80’s. Despite his untimely death she has continued fronting the group as singer and exceptional fiddle player. In 1994 she was instrumental in founding the Frankie Kennedy Winter School which has now become firmly embedded in Ireland’s musical calendar. Her debut solo album, ‘Imeall’, was released in 2009. Visit website

Moya Brennan has fronted Clannad since the mid 70’s. With 22 albums, a Grammy and Ivor Novello award the group pioneered Celtic music and brought the Irish language to a mass audience. Moya has performed and duetted with a wide range of artists, including Bono, Bruce Hornsby, Michael McDonald, Robert Plant, Paul Brady among others. Her solo output includes 7 albums, the latest being ‘Heart Strings’ recorded live with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Visit website

T with the Maggies - Tríona, Maighread, Mairéad and Moya

What the critics say

“…they embody the essence of the tradition: ever evolving, ever curious about what lies around the next corner. An inventive collaboration that promises much more to come, given half a chance.” (Siobhan Long, Irish Times)

“…the effervescence of the personalities on stage, and the sense of respect and sisterhood displayed had won me over… There is no unity of sound, but nor need there be – the intensity of delivery is uniformly stunning.” (Aengus Ó Maoláin, The Journal of Music)

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Artist biographies

What the critics say

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