I play the fiddle (15 years) and the uilleann pipes (3 years). I used to play the bodhrán but my dad kidnapped it and to be fair he probably does a better job with it than I did.


Hazel Fairbairn taught me to play the fiddle and was my teacher on and off (though mostly on) for at least 10 years. I am now studying for a degree in Irish Traditional Music at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Éire.


I play as part of a duo - Fotla, and also have a solo demo CD available.


The musical highlights of my year are The Frankie Kennedy Winter School, in Donegal, and The Burwell Bash in Cambridgeshire, England.


Finally, here are a couple of quotes which basically sum up everything.


"Reaching the parts of your soul that need to be dusted down and aired" - Cathy Jordan


"Traditional music doesn't stop when you come off the stage. It's in your head all the time" - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh