DUO O Faoláin Munnelly at Kultuurwerkplaats

A return to Oosterbeek again this coming January for what always promises to be a night ful lof music and humour. David Munnelly and Macdara Ó Faoláin’s new musical partnership is built on a foundation of curiosity, similar backgrounds and friendship. Both are rooted in traditional Irish music, but are keen to dissemble the boundaries between genres, taking inspiration from Jazz, Classical and other folk musics from around the globe to create their own unique sound. With a special interest in composition, this new project aims to bring the audience on a musical journey through music and song. Macdara is a bouzouki player, fiddle player & singer from An Rinn, Co. Waterford, renowned for his innovative approach to traditional Irish music. He is currently focused on composing solo bouzouki pieces that seamlessly blend his deep knowledge of harmony with his traditional roots, drawing inspiration from a wide array of genres. As a native Irish speaker, he is also writing new songs in Irish, contributing to both the preservation and evolution of the language through his music. Macdara performs regularly with collaborators such as Victoria Adiiye and Cormac McCarthy, and frequently accompanies various musicians within the traditional music scene, having developed a distinctive approach to the Irish bouzouki. He is also a member of a trio with Páraic Mac Donnchadha and Pádraic Keane. Their debut album, Beo, a compilation of live recordings from performances across the country, was hailed by the Irish Echo as “one of the best albums of the past few years.” After years of building an impressive discography as an accompanist, Macdara released a solo EP titled Do Shamhlaigh Mé Tír Nua… in 2024, serving as a prelude to his debut album Ar Thaobh Chill an Fhuarthainn which was launched in early January 2025 with a sold-out release show. Both releases were produced by composer and pianist Cormac McCarthy and showcase Macdara both as a solo musician and as a collaborator with McCarthy, Victoria Adiiye, Conor O’Sullivan, Áine Whelan and more. Do Shamhlaigh Mé Tír Nua… was recently nominated for album of the year by Nós.ie as well as Macdara being nominated for Best Folk Instrumentalist by the RTÉ Folk Awards. Named the Young Musician of the Year by TG4 in 2024, Macdara is solidifying his place as a significant figure in the world of traditional Irish musicDavid is from Belmullet, Co. Mayo, and was reared in a very musical home learning first hand from his grandmother who taught him a love of traditional music and in particular the love for accordion and melodeon music. Known for his colorful style, which inhales bold bass fingerings, complex arrangements and modern compositions; and exhales hints of the Roaring 20′s and the energy of a box of dynamite coupled with a masterful knack for letting a tune take its own time for a completely unmistakable and brilliant sound. This unique style led David into the world of professional musicianship where early in his career he became a full-time member of Niamh Parsons’ band and others including The Chieftains, De Danann to name but a few.After gaining ample experience and knowledge from his exceptional peers, David formed the David Munnelly Band in1999 and began a thirteen year journey with his own band touring Europe, America and Japan and recording four critically acclaimed CD’s. Recently David has expanded his repertoire to mainland Europe where he is currently working on several new projects. Along with the most respected accordion players in Europe, David currently performs with the Accordion Samurai, whose debut CD has won numerous high-profile awards. Over the last few years while experimenting with composition he has also recorded a critically acclaimed recording of new music for solo accordion titled “Aonair” which takes him away from his traditional music roots and with projects like Duo McGOWAN Munnelly and 3’oh and projects with Belgian singer Soet Collier and Guitarist Philip Masure gives a good variety of his musical tastes.