A Look at the Best Irish Flute Players

The talents of six outstanding Irish flutists, from the well-known Kevin Crawford to Seamus Tansey, are highlighted in this guide to Irish flute music. Through profiles of these leading musicians, readers get an insight into their significant contributions to the music scene. This overview invites you to experience the sounds of these celebrated artists in Irish music.

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This article features the talents of six Irish flute maestros: Kevin Crawford, Michael McGoldrick, Catherine McEvoy, June McCormack, Peter Horan, and Seamus Tansey. Understand their unique styles, commitment to cultural heritage, and significant influence on traditional and fusion Irish music genres.

There's plenty of information about these exceptional performers and their impact on the Irish music scene. Read the sections below to learn more about their fascinating stories, expert skills, and notable collaborations in Irish flute music.

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Kevin Crawford

Kevin Crawford, hailing from Birmingham, England, was imbued with Irish traditional music from a young age, thanks to his parents' roots in Miltown Malbay, Co Clare. A move to Clare in 1989 amplified his exposure and commitment to the Irish music scene. His well-controlled phrasing and delightful ornamentations on the Grinter flute soon became his signature style.

Emerging as a key performer in Co Clare's vibrant session scenes, Crawford fortified his reputation and expanded his reach with the group Grianán and trio Raise the Rafters. His global recognition surged when he started playing with Moving Cloud, contributing to their albums in 1995 and 1998.

In 1997, Kevin Crawford gained further distinction by becoming part of the esteemed group, Lúnasa, during a tour in Australia. His unbroken tenure within this group has yielded eight albums and two solo recordings. Crawford's joint efforts with other musicians have birthed significant works, notably 'On Common Ground', a duet album he created alongside Lúnasa's bagpiper, Cillian Vallely.

Crawford's flexible musical style has resulted in his participation on albums covering a wide range of genres, taking him from the passionate accordion melodies of Joe Derrane to the moving compositions of singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant.

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Check out The D Flute Album by Kevin Crawford. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to the album on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TGBju2

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Michael McGoldrick

A virtuoso in the world of folk music, Michael McGoldrick boasts an illustrative career as both a band member and solo artist. Born in Manchester in 1971 to Irish parents, his talent was evident early on. McGoldrick, who commands a variety of instruments including Irish flute, uilleann pipes, low whistle, bodhran, and even the guitar and mandolin, has always showcased an unerring dedication to Irish traditional music.

In his youthful years, he commenced blending his foundational proficiencies with modern styles, resulting in a transformative fusion that took the music space by storm. This innovation lent itself to the creation of bands such as Toss the Feathers and later, Flook. His engagement with esteemed musical groups like Lúnasa, Capercaillie, and the Afro-Celt Sound System further fine-tuned his explorative methodology.

Of McGoldrick's expansive repertoire, his solo albums, especially 'Wired' released in 2006, stand out. A testament to his open-minded approach, it amalgamates Celtic folk melodies with eclectic backdrops of jazz, Indian percussion, electronic loops, and even bluegrass.

Throughout his career, McGoldrick has deftly led traditional folk music into uncharted territories, creating a bridge between time-honoured tradition and the vibrancy of the modern soundscape. His dedication, innovation and virtuosity earmark his substantial contribution to Celtic music.

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Check out the ARC album by Michael McGoldrick. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to the album on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ez3S4H

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Catherine McEvoy

Catherine McEvoy, born in Birmingham in May 1956 to Irish parents from Co. Roscommon, is an accomplished and renowned flute player and traditional musician. Recognized as one of the ground-breaking female musicians of her generation, Catherine absorbed the rich musical traditions of Roscommon and Sligo from an early age. She grew up learning from the talents of her father, a flute player, and her mother, a ballad singer. Her older brother, John McEvoy, a distinguished fiddle player, further influenced Catherine’s musical education.

Thriving in an array of ensembles and groups, like the Birmingham Céili Band and the exclusively female traditional troupe "Macalla," Catherine has evolved into a revered artist and instructor within traditional music. Her discography, which includes several albums, has fetched her considerable acclaim and commendations, including the honor of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year in 2019.

As an in-demand instructor, Catherine has taught at numerous music festivals, schools, and events, including the Willie Clancy Summer School in Milltown Malbay, Co. Clare, the Catskills Irish Arts Week in New York, Gaelic Roots at Boston College, and the University of Limerick. In addition to her successful musical career, Catherine is a dedicated music teacher at ChildVision, the National Centre for the Education of the Visually Impaired in Ireland. Her passion for traditional Irish music and her commitment to sharing her knowledge with the next generation ensures the continued enrichment of Ireland's cultural heritage.

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Check out The Home Ruler album by Michael McGoldrick. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to the album on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gMkBDI

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June McCormack

June McCormack, a talented traditional flute player, hails from Ballintogher, Co. Sligo, and has made a significant impact on the Irish music scene. In 1998, she received the prestigious TG4 Gradam "Young Musician of the Year" award and won the All Ireland Senior Flute Competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ballina.

As a primary school teacher, June combines her passion for education with her love for traditional music. She has published two flute tutorial books, "Fliúit" (2006) and "Fliúit 2" (2009), as well as "The Book of Sligo Tunes." Collaborating with Michael Rooney, she has recorded three CDs, including "Tobar an Cheoil" (2022), "Land's End" (2006), and "Draíocht" (2004). June is also a member of Sligo's Dartry Ceili Band and the music group Síona, which released the album "Launching the Boat" in 1998.

Guided by her teachers Carmel Gunning and Paddy Ryan, June met Michael Rooney at a Foróige event in UCD in 1989. The duo was randomly paired for a duet performance, marking the beginning of their fruitful musical partnership.

Regarding musical instruments, June plays an Irish flute crafted by Patrick Olwell from Virginia, USA, and another flute fashioned by Mike Grinter. Her steadfast commitment to conserving and advocating for traditional Irish music reflects her profound dedication to the vibrant cultural legacy of Ireland.

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Peter Horan

Celebrated as one of Ireland’s most notable musicians, Peter Horan (1926 – 2010) was esteemed for his unique flute and fiddle playing. A native of Killavil, County Sligo, he developed a distinct style shaped by the local Irish fiddling tradition. The musical legacy of South Sligo, particularly Killavil, played an influential role in his craft.

Peter began his traditional Irish music adventure with the tin whistle during his childhood. By nine years of age, he was honing his facility on the concert flute. Despite never being formally educated in music literacy, Peter's zeal for musical education directed him to instruct upcoming generations employing his unique techniques.

Over the years, Peter built a reputable career, which included a nearly 30-year collaboration with fiddler Fred Finn. Later, Peter paired with Sliabh Luachra fiddler Gerry Harrington, releasing a celebrated CD called "Fortune Favours the Merry." He continued to perform and teach at Irish arts festivals globally, sharing his unique talents and perpetuating the vibrant Irish music tradition. The mark Peter left on Irish music was recognized when he was posthumously honored with the Irish Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2002 and an Honorary Master of Music from St. Angela's College Sligo and NUI Galway in 2009.

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Seamus Tansey

Born in Gorteen, County Sligo, in 1943, Seamus Tansey was a distinguished Irish flute performer celebrated for his unique approach and substantial impact on Irish music. Growing up with a mother who played the fiddle and a father who played the tin whistle, Tansey developed an intrinsic fondness for music. This fostered background helped him evolve into a remarkable figure within the Wren Boy tradition.

Despite starting the flute at 17, labeled late by some, Tansey approached the instrument with unrivaled dedication. His influences ranged from his mother's music to the recordings of notable musicians like Michael Coleman and the radio program 'A Job of Journeywork.' Amidst a mass emigration of local musicians, Tansey felt he had become a 'musical orphan,' but this situation drove him to commit more to his craft.

By 1965, Tansey had accomplished substantial achievements, securing the senior all-Ireland crown at the Fleadh Cheoil and teaming up with the Coleman Country Ceili Band. Throughout his exceptional career, he brought forth several albums, drawing attention from all corners with his compelling demonstration of the Sligo style. His published work in 1999, alongside his visible role in the 2017 TG4 series, further boosted his significant influence within the sphere of Irish traditional music. Honoring Tansey, who departed in July 2022, it is apparent that his profound legacy will persist within Irish music.

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Check out The Irish Celtic Ballads and Traditional Music album by Seamus Tansey and other prominent artists. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to the album on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gF4g3F

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Conclusion

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Our sojourn through the musical landscapes of these six Irish flutists reveals a fascinating collective journey of talent and dedication. Their influences range from the rich traditions of County Sligo's fiddling heritage to the eclectic fusion of contemporary and folk music. Kevin Crawford, Michael McGoldrick, Catherine McEvoy, June McCormack, Peter Horan, and Seamus Tansey have all contributed significantly to the Irish music scene, each with their own unique style and approach. Whether through innovative collaborations, mentorship, or commitment to preserving cultural heritage, they have pushed boundaries while honoring tradition. Their work continues to inspire future generations, engraving their legacies deep within the history of Irish music. In celebrating them, we're reminded of the power of music to bridge gaps—between old and new, local and global, the familiar and the undiscovered. As we bear witness to their influence, we can only look forward to what the future will bring, woven on the loom of their remarkable contributions.

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If you are looking to learn the fundamentals of playing the Irish flute, here is a selection of books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4daNvtZ