Dublin fiddler, Aoife Ní Bhríain launches her debut solo album with Cormac McCarthy (piano), plus special guest Mick O’Brien (uilleann pipes). Support by The Trad Gathering.

Thursday 11 December 2025 - 8.00pm 

Kings Place - 90 York Way, King’s Cross N1 9AG

Tickets: £18/ £10 U30s → Book now

(with session afterwards in Rotunda Bar, Ground Floor)

Fiddle player Aoife Ni Bhriain combines the richness of a family heritage of traditional music and a lifetime of classical music training. Born in Dublin she began studying the violin at an early age winning numerous national and international competitions for both classical and traditional Irish music. Her unique musical pedigree has led her to experiment, collaborate and perform across many musical genres with artists such as pianist Eliso Virsaladze, fiddle player Martin Hayes, Welsh harpist Caitrin Finch, jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel, actor Tim Robbins, and the avant garde string quintet Wooden Elephant. With her father uilleann piper Mick O’ Brien and flute player Emer Mayock she has recorded two albums of tunes sourced from the Canon Goodman Collection.

This evening’s concert marks the launch of Aoife’s debut solo album with Cork pianist and composer, Cormac McCarthy on piano, plus special guest, Mick O’Brien. Cormac McCarthy’s recent solo piano release, On The Other Hand ‘marks him out as one of the rising stars of European Jazz Piano’ (The Irish Times).

Mick O’Brien received the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year Award in 2023.

IMDL’s youth project ‘The Trad Gathering’ will perform a short opening set.

More info:
www.irishmusicinlondon.org

About Aoife Ní Bhriain

Born in Dublin, to a family of musicians, Aoife Ní Bhriain has established herself as one of the most versatile musicians of her generation. Thanks to her musical heritage combined with her classical studies she has collaborated and performed with musicians such as pianist Eliso Virsaladze, fiddle player Martin Hayes, violinist Mariana Sirbu, Welsh harpist Catrin Finch, jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel and Oscar winning actor Tim Robbins. She has been guest co-leader of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Guest Leader of Crash Ensemble, Stargaze Ensemble, Concorde Ensemble and has also co-led the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

About Cormac McCarthy

Cormac McCarthy is a pianist and composer from Cork, Ireland. His music is said to “defy categorisation”  (Lyric FM). His compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by artists including Phil Woods, Jeff Hamilton, The Carducci Quartet, The RTÉ Concert Orchestra, The Irish Chamber Orchestra, The Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra, The Ulster Orchestra.

As a pianist, he has performed extensively at concert venues, clubs and festivals throughout Europe and the US, sharing the stage and recording with artists across a wide musical spectrum. His recent solo piano release.

About Mick O’Brien

Born in Dublin Ireland, Mick O’Brien began his musical education on the uilleann pipes in the renowned Thomas Street Pipers Club in Dublin. His father Dinny O´Brien, a traditional box player, was also a constant source of tunes and inspiration.

Mick recorded his first LP with his family when he was 13 years old. He later joined Na Píobairí Uilleann, an organisation founded to promote piping, where he absorbed hundreds of tunes and refined his technique. His playing can be heard on numerous recordings with artists such as The Dubliners, Frankie Gavin and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.