Rob Forkner

Rob Forkner was introduced to the music at a young age, and unable to find a suitable instrument Rob took directly to making his own.  Since then Rob’s musical experience has been a mixture of being both a player of music and a maker of instruments.  Rob started building his own drums many years ago and is now one of the most sought after builders of bodhrans in the world, particularly among modern style players. 

Rob’s playing style is a mix of traditional and modern, with emphasis on drive and lift without getting in the way of the music.  Rob has played and recorded music with more people than he can remember (Ed Miller, Gaelic Storm, Liz Carroll, The Tea Merchants, The Here & Now, amongst many others), and his drums are played by many of today’s most notable players (John Joe Kelly (Flook); Colm Phelan (Goitse); Robbie Walsh (Four Winds); Kieran Leonard (the Recollective); Jim Higgins; Niall Preston; Ciara Connolly; and many others). 

Rob has taught bodhran at schools and festivals in Ireland (Ceolaras Coleman, Gurteen, Co. Sligo; BulaBuzz, Dublin), Europe (Vlaams Iers Vliers op Texel, Netherlands; Gooikoorts Music Festival, Belgium),  and the US (Milwaukee Irish Fest, Austin Celtic Festival, NTIF, Mississippi Celtic Fest) and is really looking forward to teaching again at this year’s O’Flaherty retreat!