Caitlín Nic Gabhann

The Mac Gabhann family from Ashbourne, Co Meath have been prominent in traditional music circles for many years. Dad Antoin, comes from Mullahoran, Co Cavan and is one of Irelands best known performers and teachers on the fiddle. Growing up in the MacGabhann household, the family became familiar with music at an early age, with fiddle classes taking place in the home a few nights a week and as they were introduced to instruments they participated in various Comhaltas musical activities and Fleadhanna Cheoil. They have each recorded a number of solo and group albums. Sean plays button accordion and was a member of the three-in-a-row All-Ireland winning Naomh Pádraig Senior Ceili Band. Áine and Bernadette play fiddles and are also accomplished dancers. Both have toured extensively as fiddle players with a number of dance shows, including Lord of the Dance and Riverdance. Caitlin is a well-known Concertina player and dancer, she has toured widely as a solo musician and also as a dancer with Riverdance and other Dance Shows. They take their dancing from their mother Bernie who inherited a strong Clare set-dance tradition from her father, Micheál Murphy. The Mac Gabhann’s have been at the forefront of set dancing and house-sessions in Co. Meath over the years and still host a new year house-dance which is broadcast live on the RTÉ Céilí House Programme.