Niamh Ní Charra – BIOGRAPHY
Fiddle : Concertina : Voice (Irish & English)
Niamh Ní Charra hails from Killarney, County Kerry in the south west of Ireland.
Strongly influenced by the wealth of local Sliabh Luachra musicians, she started playing
music at the early age of 4, under the tutelage of renowned local musician Nicky
McAuliffe. A multiple award winner on both fiddle and concertina, she toured from 1998
to 2006 as a soloist with Riverdance, before returning to Ireland where she is now based.
She released her debut album "From Both Sides" in 2007 to much critical acclaim - it was
the only Irish album on MOJO's Top Ten Folk Albums for 2007. She received the "Best
Trad Music Act 2008" award from UK publication The Irish World, and "Best
Fiddle/Violin 2008" from the American based Irish Music Association. Her second
album "Happy Out" was listed in NY Journalist Earle Hitchner's Top 30 albums for 2010,
and as "probably the best album of 2010" in Irish Music Magazine. She was nominated
for "Top Solo Performer 2011" in the Irish Music Awards and was awarded "Female
Musician of the Year 2012" in the Live Ireland Music Awards, compiled by respected
and renowned industry critic Bill Margeson. Her latest album “Cuz”, recently released in
March, features many top class guest musicians, and has already been earmarked for
“Album of the Year”. Her music features on the programme “Ireland in Song” currently
airing on Aer Lingus transatlantic flights, and which is also due to be aired on PBS later
this year.
Along with touring extensively as a solo artist and with her own band, Niamh has also
performed and recorded with The Chieftains, and with Carlos Núñez. and in 2011
released an album "The Basque Irish Connection", in collaboration with Basque musician
Ibon Koteron. She still performs occasionally with Riverdance, most recently for a tour
of China, where she took on the additional role of Musical Director. She regularly gives
workshops and masterclasses on both fiddle and concertina, has performed for several
presidents and members of royalty and has additionally coordinated concerts hosted by
the Irish embassy, on behalf of the government.
DISCOGRAPHY:
Cuz – A Tribute to Terry “Cuz” Teahan Niamh Ní Charra
Beginner’s Guide to Ireland 2012
Various
A Stór mo Chroí – Irish songs of Love and Loss
Various
The Basque Irish Connection
Niamh Ní Charra, Ibon Koteron
Súgach Sámh / Happy Out
Niamh Ní Charra
Celtic Colours Volume XIV
Various
San Patricio
The Chieftains
Alborado Do Brasil
Carlos Núñez
Irish Folk Festival Rainbow Expedition
Niamh Ní Charra/Liadan/Beoga
Experience Ireland
Various
Ón Dá Thaobh/ From Both Sides
Niamh Ní Charra
2013
2012
2011
2011
2010
2010
2010
2009
2008
2007
2007