18/08/2026
The Con Curtin traditional music festival committee would like to express its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the late Donal O’Connor . Donal was born are reared in Carrigeen Brosna . A self taught fiddle player who shared a passion for traditional music with his three brothers .
Patrick , Willie and Gerry were his three brothers who all played the fiddle . The family were know as the Paddy / Gerry’s who were renowned for fiddle playing . All of the family were self taught with every one of them having a flair and passions for Sliabh Luachra traditional music .
Donal was the last remaining member of the family . The end of an era but his legacy will remain forever
Donal was very honoured when
The Patrick O Keefe Festival ( Castleisland) presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award !
This award was to recognise his lifetime dedication to the music of Sliabh Luachra .
Donal’s death marks the end of an era of an extremely talented family who were recognised by their piers as true traditional musicians . I’m sure they have influenced a multitude of traditional players during their lifetime .
Donal and his brother Patrick put together The Brosna Céilí Band in the early 1960’s .
Winning the top prize in 1972 was the highlight of his musical journey . The Brosna Céilí Band was made up of 10 self taught musicians .
Donal / Nicky and Ann McAuliffe who played in that band reunited every year to play a session or two during our Con Curtin festival weekend.
The vault of traditional tunes they had will never be matched playing selections seldom heard and of course preserving and respecting The Sliabh Luachra Style .
One of Donal’s proudest moments was when the Brosna Céilí Band was our main act on the Friday night to Officially open
A Con Curtin Festival . Donal was the band leader on the night telling great jokes about their escapades and of course giving a full history of the bands journey .
An unforgettable night for anyone lucky to be present on the night .
Donal was often included in the Pure Drop and many other RTE traditional music Programs.
His nephew Gerry ( Banjo) O Connor will now carry the baton for the Paddy/Gerry family .
Locally Donal O Connor would have been known as Danny Paddy / Gerry .
On behalf of the Con Curtin traditional Music Festival we say thank you Danny for your support of our festival and for the legacy and memories which remain forever in Brosna and beyond .
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam Dílis .
This is a wonderful clip of Donal with his brother Patrick (the 2 O'Connor's who formed the Brosna Céilí Band in the early 60's.
RIP . Danny (Paddy/Gerry ) O Connor
Donal O Connor
Born 13/04/1934- 16/08/2026
The Granary, Theatre, Cork : Sliabh Luachra Fiddlers, brothers Patr...
