On the couch... Fiddle player and broadcaster Donal O’Connor
Fiddle-player and broadcaster Donal O’Connor grew up in Ravensdale, Co Louth in a family of renowned musicians. He has released six of his own albums and produced more than a dozen others, working with such luminaries as Moya Brennan, Brian Kennedy and Duke Special. Donal’s TV work includes The
Raw Bar, Geantraí and Sé Mo Laoch. Donal currently presents
Celtic Connections on Sunday nights on TG4
Who controls the remote in your house?
My three beautiful daughters, of course: Ríoghnach (10), Doireann (7) and Neasa (6). I have to bribe them with sweets to get to watch the football.
How important are the TG4 Awards for the Irish trad scene?
It’s the highlight of the Irish traditional music calendar and a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate all that is great about our world of music.
Are you a “telly on, laptop on the knees and phone for tweeting” over-load kind of person?
Yep, I’m afraid I am guilty of watching TV and footering away on the phone at the same time.
Give us your dream line-up for a television music special...
Seán Ó Riada, Miles Davis, Belfast ddler Sean Maguire, Maggie Barry, Johnny Doran and Darach Ó Catháin. All sadly no longer with us, but I’m sure it’d make for some craic…
All-time favourite TV drama, comedy, soap, documentary and live TV event?
For TV drama, I’d pick An Klondike; favourite comedy is CU Burn; as soap, I’d pick the Scottish programme Take the High Road; in documentary, The Pipe, a documentary lm which tells the story of the small community of Rossport, Co Mayo taking on the might of Shell Oil and the state authorities; and live event: Fleadh TV: four nights of live music from Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
Are there any genres of TV you just can’t abide?
I can’t handle Trinny & Susannah-type makeover/fashion shows. They make me shout and throw things at the TV!
What do you remember of your first TV appearance?
I think it was in TG4’s rst year of broadcast – and I had bleached my hair. Needless to say my mother wasn’t too impressed…
Are there any shows you have on box-set, DVR or red button that you haven’t quite got round to watching?
Yes, I’m looking forward to catching up with Tradfest TG4 and Resistance on RTÉ.
What are your unmissable shows right now?
Catastrophe – Sharon Horgan makes me laugh out loud – and the latest action on GAA Beo.
Has the internet killed music television to some degree?
No, in fact I think there’s more live music on TV than ever before. And long may it last.