Paul O'Shaughnessy

Paul O'Shaughnessy (born 9 June 1961) is an Irish fiddler, former member of Irish folk music bands Altan and Beginish. Also a whistle and flute player and an occasional composer, Paul has been playing fiddle since his childhood, and has long been recognised as a leading traditional musician in the city of Dublin.

Background and career Paul O'Shaughnessy comes from Artane on the north side of Dublin city. He spent much of his youth in Donegal where he developed a love and talent for fiddle playing, learning at first not only from his mother, Pearl McBride (a fiddle player from a musical Donegal family) but also from the playing of Cavan fiddle player Antóin Mac Gabhann and from John Doherty. He was also influenced by Sligo flute player John Egan.

Discography

With Altan 1989 Horse with a Heart 1990 The Red Crow 1992 Harvest Storm

With Beginish 1998 Beginish 2001 Stormy Weather

Solo albums 2000 Stay Another While (Claddagh Records – POS0001; 14 tracks featuring Frankie Lane on guitar, mandolin, dobro & bass) 2016 The Friendly Visit – An Céilí (Claddagh Records – POS0002; 14 tracks featuring Garry O'Briain, Eoin O'Neill and fiddlers Pearl and Kate O'Shaughnessy (respectively Paul O'Shaughnessy's mother and daughter))

Duet albums

Paul O'Shaughnessy & Harry Bradley 2005 Born for Sport (Own label – BFS001; duet album with flute player Harry Bradley; also featuring John Blake (bouzouki))

Paul O'Shaughnessy & Paul McGrattan 2013 Within a Mile of Dublin (Faetain Records – SPINCD1000; duet album with flute player Paul McGrattan; also featuring Seánie McPhail (guitar), Noel O'Grady (bouzouki), Colm Murphy (bodhrán))