Noel Hill, Tony Linnane and Alec Finn

Noel Hill is the defining Irish concertina player of modern times. Piper, singer and broadcaster Seamus Ennis, no less, described him as “Ireland's greatest concertina player”. His mastery of the instrument nicknamed "the Clareman's trumpet" - legend has it there was once a concertina in every other household in Co. Clare - is universally acknowledged. His 1979 album with fiddle player Tony Linnane is regarded as one of the classic recordings of Irish traditional music.

Tony is from a noted musical family in Corofin, North-West Clare. His father Pat was a whistle player and a renowned collector of tunes and as a result, Tony was exposed to music at a very early age. His playing is admired for its fluency, impeccable technique and wealth of feeling and sensitivity. In 1981, he won first prize at the prestigious “Fiddler of Oriel” competition and has recorded and performed with musicians of the calibre of Joe Burke, Christy Moore and Planxty.

They are accompanied at this evening’s concert by another legendary musician, Alec Finn on bouzouki. Alec, who also played on their 1979 album, is originally from Yorkshire and is probably best known as one of the founding members of De Dannan. In contrast to the majority of Irish bouzouki players, he plays a round-backed, three course (six stringed) Greek instrument. His unique style is an original blend of chordal accompaniment and counter melody.