Niamh Ní Charra

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 well known local musician Nicky McAuliffe. Equally talented on fiddle and concertina, she has won numerous awards, including Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Oireachtas, and Slógadh Náisiúnta. Somewhat of a child prodigy, she had represented Ireland at folk festivals in Britain and France and had support gigs for The Chieftains, and Noel Hill under her belt before she reached her teens.

Despite taking a break to attend University and graduating with honours in Electronic Engineering, the draw proved too strong, and Niamh decided to return to the world of music. She took a year-long course in 'Music, Management, and Sound' at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, Cork, where she graduated with distinctions in every subject - the only student ever to have achieved this feat. The college subsequently awarded her "Musician of the Year". She swiftly followed this with recordings for Irish radio and television, before joining the U.S. troupe of Riverdance in 1998. Mainly in North America, Niamh toured full time with Riverdance until December 2005, performing in over 2500 shows before retiring from Riverdance to concentrate on a solo career.

Niamh is now based in Dublin, Ireland where she works as a freelance musician. She has taught both fiddle and concertina at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann's national headquarters and regularly gives workshops on both instruments. She released her debut album "Ón Dá Thaobh / From Both Sides" in 2007 to much critical acclaim. It was the only Irish album to make MOJO’s Top Ten Folk Albums for 2007. She has recently followed it with a second album “Súgach Sámh / Happy Out” which has again received rave reviews. She was also presented with the “Best Trad Music Act 2008” award by The Irish World, the largest newspaper for the Irish community in Britain, and “Best Fiddle 2008” at the inaugural awards of The Irish Music Association, USA in 2009. Along with performing regularly as a solo artist, and with her own band, Niamh also tours extensively as a member of the Carlos Núñez band.

DISCOGRAPHY:

The Basque Irish Connection Niamh Ní Charra, Ibon Koteron 2011
Súgach Sámh / Happy Out Niamh Ní Charra 2010
Celtic Colours Volume XIV Various 2010
San Patricio The Chieftains 2010
Alborado Do Brasil Carlos Núñez 2009
Irish Folk Festival Rainbow Expedition Niamh Ní Charra/Liadan/Beoga 2008
Experience Ireland Various 2007
Ón Dá Thaobh/ From Both Sides Niamh Ní Charra 2007