Oisín Mac Diarmada

A graduate in Music Education from Trinity College Dublin & Royal Irish Academy of Music, Oisín Mac Diarmada began playing fiddle in Clare at a young age, over time developing a deep interest in the playing style of the Sligo region, having moved there at the age of 11.

Founder of the internationally-renowned group Téada in 2001 with whom he has recorded a number of albums on the Gael Linn and Green Linnet labels, Oisín is also a regular solo performer. Performances have included appearing at specialist music festivals such as Masters of Tradition in West Cork, accompanying Irish President Mary McAleese on a state visit to Romania, and a guest solo appearance with the Southern Georgia Symphony Orchestra in the US. Described by The Irish Echo’s Earle Hitchner as “one of the most gifted and creative traditional fiddlers playing today,” Oisín has toured frequently in recent years with noted singer/accordion-player Séamus Begley and Oisín’s wife Samantha Harvey (piano/dance). Oisín was appointed Director of SCT, the Traditional Irish Music Examination System administered by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann during 2012, and has recently co-authored Fiddlers of Sligo Tunebook along with fellow-Sligo musician, Daithí Gormley.

Teaching activity has included tutoring at University of Limerick, Swannanoa Gathering in North Carolina, Catskills Irish Arts Week in New York, O’Flaherty Retreat in Texas, Willie Clancy Summer School in Co. Clare, and South Sligo Summer School in Co. Sligo.