Ceoltóirí Chualann
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Ceoltóirí Chualann is an Irish traditional band, led by Seán Ó Riada and including many of the founding members of The Chieftains. The band was formed in 1961 to play traditional music, and especially to revitalize the work of blind harpist and composer Turlough O'Carolan. Ó Riada's work with Ceoltóirí Chualann is credited with revitalizing the use of the bodhrán as a percussion instrument in Celtic music. The line-up consisted of:
- Michael Tubridy - flute
- Paddy Moloney - uilleann pipes
- Sonny Brogan - accordion
- Éamon de Buitléar - accordion
- John Kelly - fiddle
- Martin Fay - fiddle
- Seán Ó Sé - vocals
- Seán Ó Riada - bodhrán and harpsichord
- Ronnie McShane - bones
Soon after the band's formation, Peadar Mercier and Seán Keane joined. They played for several years, but then largely stopped in 1969. That year they recorded two albums, Ó Riada and Ó Riada Sa Gaiety. The latter of those two albums was not released until after 1971, when Seán Ó Riada died.