Biography
The bedrock of La Lugh’s sound lies in the musical heritage of Northern Ireland, even though the ensemble is based in County Louth. Virtuosic fiddler Gerry O’Connor and vocalist/flute player Eithne Ni Uallachain steer the group through an infectious blend of jigs, reels, and traditional balladry that keeps listeners on the dance floor. The project took shape once O’Connor and Ni Uallachain first crossed paths in 1991. Both natives of Dundalk in County Louth, the pair grew up in households steeped in music. O’Connor’s lineage includes several generations of fiddlers, and his mother Rose earned recognition as an influential teacher of the instrument. Having performed with Kinvara during the mid-1980s, he co-established the traditional Irish band Skylark in 1987. Ni Uallachain, who delivers songs in Gaelic and English alike, ranks among Ireland’s foremost traditional vocalists. Raised in a Gaelic-speaking home, she absorbed numerous pieces from her father and extended family. Rounding out the lineup are Gilles Bigot on guitar, Siobhan Kennedy on flute, violin, and step dancing, and Donal O’Connor on keyboards. In 1996 the ensemble’s second album, Brighid’s Kiss, earned the “best album of the year” honor from Irish Music magazine.
Albums