Mary Bergin

Dublin-born Mary Bergin has carried forward Ireland’s tin whistle heritage both as a performer and as a teacher. Once part of the Green Linnet Ceili Band, Ceoltoiri Laigheann, and DeDanaan, she later established the Baroque/traditional Celtic ensemble Dordan in the early ’90s and continues to investigate her musical heritage through that group. Her parents sparked her passion for traditional music: her mother performed classical and traditional fiddle, while her father played melodeon. Though she first took up violin and piano, Bergin discovered her true instrument after turning to the tin whistle and, subsequently, the flute. Childhood holidays in County Clare and County Waterford exposed her to the sounds that shaped her style. Together with her sister, harpist Antoinette McKenna, she began performing in pub sessions. Following tours of England and the United States with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, she teamed with flautist Mick Hand, fiddlers Tommy Peoples and Liam Rowsome, and accordionist Johnny McMahon to create the Green Linnet Ceili Band, remaining with that ensemble for five years. She then advanced her studies as a member of Ceoltoiri Laigheann before receiving an invitation to join the internationally renowned Irish trad folk group DeDanaan, with whom she appeared only briefly. After keeping a low profile for several years, Bergin resurfaced in the early ’90s to help launch Dordan and to begin composing original material.