Macdara Ó Faoláin (Nuadan) - Collected Tabs

Macdara Ó Faoláin is a bouzouki‑player, multi‑instrumentalist and luthier from An Rinn, Co. Waterford. wlrfm.com+3The Irish News+3returntolondontown.org+3 

He is known for his innovative accompaniment style in Irish traditional music, combining deep harmonic awareness and delicate technique. The Irish News+3returntolondontown.org+3folkandroots.co.uk+3 

Mcdara has recorded and performed with many leading artists including Nuadan, Cormac McCarthy, The Friel Sisters, Derek Hickey and Nell Ní Chróinín. folkandroots.co.uk+3The Irish News+3Macdara Ó Faoláin+3 

As a native speaker of Irish, he also writes songs in Irish and builds instruments (mainly bouzoukis & mandolins), helping to sustain and evolve the tradition. The Irish News+2returntolondontown.org+2 

(written by chatgpt)

Here's a list of my Tabs:

- The Beautiful Goldfinch (Nuadan)

- The Muskerry Tram (Nuadan)

- The Stone Of Destiny (Nuadan)

- The Hills Of Larraga (with Oisin Morrison)

Nuadan (Macdara Ó Faoláin) - The Beautiful Goldfinch

Just found an old tab on my harddisk. Unfortunately I can't find a video or audio on the internet of the recording from Nuadan. So I had to upload it by myself. I uploaded it as unlisted, hope that's ok and Nuadan don't mind. This is from the first album by the band. It's not on spotify, apple music or bandcamp, so it might be difficult to get it, but it is definitely worth it.

Macdara's website: http://www.macdaraofaolain.com

But this is the tab I made some time ago. If you want the whole tab please click here.

If you download please comment!

The Music of John Dwyer, A Celebration -

 Text from YouTube:  

Following the passing of our great friend John Dwyer this past August, this concert will celebrate the man and his music. The entire concert will feature tunes from the repertoire of John himself and will be performed by a selection of musicians who are based in the South East. Jimmy O’Brien Moran - MC. Macdara, Pax agus Cárthach Ó Faoláin (bouzouki, fiddle, accordion) Caoimhín & Seán Ó Fearghail agus Paddy Tutty (Flute, uilleann pipes, fiddle, bouzouki) Edel Fox & Neill Byrne with Lia Byrne (concertina & fiddles).

So there's lots of fantastic bouzouki playing in this video!

The Muskerry Tram - Accompaniment transcribed - Macdara Ó Faoláin

A few days ago I discovered the album by Pádraig Mac Aodhgáin (Paddy Egan) called Tobar Gan Trá which you can buy by pre-order. On it there is a lovely jig-set which starts with the tune "The Muskerry Tram" written by Sean O'Driscoll and released on his CD "The Kitchen Session". 

The accompanyment by Macdara Ó Faoláin is really beautiful, so I tried to transcribe it. There may be lots of mistakes in it, but I think you can (hopefully) find the essence of it.

Here's the tune on bandcamp:

 

Here you can download my tab as pdf. It contains also the melody as tab. Capo on 5th fret.

If you want the whole tab in pdf form just click here.

If you download please comment!

Liam O'Brien, Ciara Ní Bhriain & Macdara Ó Faoláin - Stone of Destiny

Macdara is one, if not the best bouzouki player of the younger generation. He also builds bouzoukis and other instruments. Here he is with  Liam O'Brien and Ciara Ní Bhriain. The tunes they play are The Stone of Destiny (written by Maurice Lennon), The Liffey Banks & Music in the Glen.




I tried to transcribe the first tune. Here it is for your pleasure (hopefully)

You can download the tab as pdf here.

Páraic Mac Donnchadha with Mac Dara Ó Faoláin

While looking for videos featuring Mac Dara Ó Faoláin I found this beautiful video of Páraic Mac Donnchadha with Mac Dara Ó Faoláin. Beautiful music with banjo and bouzouki. Páraic Mac Donnchadha released an album some time ago which you can get on bandcamp or at Custy's in Ennis.

https://paraic.bandcamp.com

https://custysmusic.com/products/h3-paraic-mac-donnchadha-not-before-time-thar-am-h3

Yvonne Casey & Macdara Ó Faoláin

Some videos of Yvonne Casey & Macdara Ó Faoláin. Macdara is one of the finest bouzouki players of the young generation. He also is a Luthier and he builds fantastic Bouzoukis, Mandolins and Ukuleles.
Look here: https://ie.locale.online/macdara-o-faolain-musical-instruments-610515195.html

He plays with Band Nuadan:
https://nuadantrad.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/nuadantrad/


The Oliver Plunkett - 40th Cork Folk Festival, 06.10.19

" Eanna’s Dance"  - 40th Cork Folk Festival

 "Tune For Yvonne Casey" composed by Tommy Peoples. Cork Folk Fest

and just for the fun of it, here's a very old video of young Macdara


Macdara Ó Faoláin Dungarvan from TRTÉ on Vimeo.

Nuadan - Barrell Rafferty's

Just got the new CD from Nuadan yesterday. I really like the style Macdara plays his bouzouki. So I tried to figure out an accompaniment. My first attempt was the tune Barrell Rafferty's, it's the second tune on track 8. Unfortunately there is no sound sample to be found on the web to link to.

So here's my attempt to create the tab. There might be lots of mistakes in it, but I hope it shows a little bit how Macdara's style works. He uses Capo 4 on this track.

Here's the link to the track on Bandcamp.

Here's the link to thesession: https://thesession.org/tunes/12410
To accompany it put capo on 7th fret.

You can download my tab here

if you do please comment!

Oisin Morrison, Macdara O'Faolain - The Hills Of Larraga with Tab

I really love the playing of Macdara O'Faolain from the band Nuadan. Here is a video of Oisin Morrison on Flute and Macdara an Zouk.

I tried to figure out some of Macdara's accompaniment. I don't think it's really correct, but it helps a bit to understand what he is doing. I think the tune is called The Hills Of Larraga. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Here's the Link to thesession:
https://thesession.org/tunes/5202

You can download my tab here

If you download please comment!