Aimée Farrell Courtney’

The promise shown by acclaimed bodhrán player Aimée Farrell Courtney’s debut performance in Dublin’s National Concert Hall at the tender age of eight was realised when she won the 2010 World Bodhrán Championship.
Since then she has gone on to collaborate with musicians such as Donal Lunny, Liam O’Flynn, and Alyth McCormack and perform in venues such as The O2 Arena (Dublin) and The Hermitage Theatre (Russia). Aimée’s love of music is evident in her teaching, which has led her to conduct workshops across Ireland, Europe and the USA. During 2012 she developed a music education programme for primary school level based on practical musicianship in the classroom. Aimée holds a Bachelor of Music degree from DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, specialising in Irish Traditional Music. Graduating with First Class Honours, Aimée was also awarded the Leo Rowsome Gold Medal for outstanding traditional performance and the Michael McNamara Gold Medal for outstanding overall performance.

Website: http://www.aimeefarrellcourtney.com/

Jim Higgins

His bodhran playing is full of baselines and very supportive for the tunes. No wonder he is in high demand as a live and studio artist. Jim hails from Renmore in Galway. Born into a musical family, he went on to study music in University College Cork under Micheal O Suilleabhain amongst others. While in Cork, Jim caught ‘the bodhran bug’, playing alongside players such as Mel Mercier, Colm Murphy and Frank Torpey. He went on to play drums with fellow Galwegians ‘The Sawdoctors’ following a four year stint with ‘The Riverdance Show’ which took him around the world. He is an honorary member of the Donegal based traditional group ‘Altan’ having recorded and toured extensively with them for the last fifteen years from the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House. He has recorded and performed with such luminaries as Paul Brady, Christy Moore, Liam O’Flynn, Donal Lunny, Bill Whelan, Martin O’Connor and Lunasa.
 

Eamon Murray

Eamon Murray from Randalstown, Co. Antrim is one of the most important young bodhrán players in Irish music. Described by Johnny McDonagh (De Dannan/Arcady) as “the future of bodhrán playing”, Eamon has held the All-Ireland Bodhrán title on four occasions.

Eamon has performed alongside many distinguished artists including Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Liam O’Maonlai and was highly commended in the 2004 Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year competition.

He is a founding member of Irish band Beoga, whose collaboration with Ed Sheeran made them world famous. A well sought after recording session musician he also has developed his own signature line bodhrán with Christian Hedwitschak.

Colm Phelan

“Colm Phelan is one of Ireland’s leading young percussionists, and an exceptional Bodhrán player, providing new dimensions to the voice instrument” – Niall Keegan, Course Director, BA Irish Music and Dance.
Colm is a winner of numerous All Ireland titles down through the years with his proudest achievements being the first ever World Bodhrán Champion, in Miltown, Co Kerry in 2006, and in the same year winning the All Ireland in Letterkenny for the second year in succession. Colm has studied Irish Music and Dance at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. He was the first Bodhran player to graduate from the BA who has spent his entire four years studying the Bodhran as his main instrument. He is touring wold-wide with his band Goitse and has released a solo CD (The Full Circle) in 2012.
Website: http://www.goitse.ie/the-band/colm-phelan/
 

Andy Kruspe

Huntsville-based bodhrán player Andy Kruspe has performed and recorded with several muscians and bands throughout the Southeastern United States. His playing has supported bands in several genres, including Irish Traditional, Celtic, Old Time, and Contra Dance Bands. Andy is also active as a teacher, having presented workshops at several universities, clinics, and festivals. In addition to his love of performance, Andy is also passionate about the academic side of this uniqely Irish instrument. He co-presented a session on the bodhrán at the 2013 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), has taught many workshops and clinics at several universities and colleges, and has published a comprehensive method, The Bodhrán Primer. He finished his second book, Playing the Tune (a method of techniques for accompanying Irish traditional tunes), in summer of 2015 and his third book (First Steps) aimed at beginners in 2017. Andrew holds Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degree.
Website: http://www.andykruspebodhran.com

Niamh Fennell

Niamh Fennell is from Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. She is a primary school teacher and has great enthusiasm and love for the Bodhrán.  She started playing Bodhrán at aged sixteen and was greatly influenced by the playing of Martin O’Neill, Colm Phelan, Donnachadh Gough and many more. 
In 2018, Niamh was successful in winning the Munster and All Ireland Fleadh competition. 
Niamh has been teaching the bodhrán for many years and is delighted to be teaching at Craiceann 2024. 
 
”Niamh’s style is subtle and sympathetic to the music and is traditionally based with adequate amounts of technique used where appropriate”. -Junior Davey

 

 

Katelyn Corrigan

My name is Katelyn Corrigan. I am from County Offaly. I have played bodhrán since I was very young and often crossed over the Slieve Bloom mountains into Laois to attend lessons with Colm Phelan for many years. It is an honour to now teach alongside Colm and the rest of the Craiceann crew! I have been fortunate to play bodhrán in many countries, but perhaps my favourite place to play has been Inis Óirr, where I have spent two summers working in Tigh Ned’s. I pulled pints during the day and met new musicians every evening and have a huge grá for the people here and the island.