A Piece of music based on the Omeath song 'Dúlamán', recorded and arranged by Donal O'Connor for 'Fadgies' - http://www.culturlann.ie/event.php?e=157&lang=en

Fadgies music

Recorded live in Maddens Bar Belfast in 2008 with Ryan O'Donnell (Bouzouki) & Paul 'The Brother' Maguire (Bodhrán) for the CD - Beo Live at Maddens. All proceeds of the CD were donated to PIPS - suicide and self harm support group in Belfast.

Paddy Killoran's Highland & Lord Gordon's Reel

This is the opening track from the CD 'Tripswitch' which I recorded with the Uilleann piper John McSherry in 2006. We had great fun making this album in Homestead Studios, Co. Antrim with Shaun 'Mudd' Wallace. I learned the march from my father Gerry O'Connor and the last reel was picked up from good friends : the pirates of peurt 'Daimh'.

Rose In The Gap

In The Bleak Mid Winter No Vox

In the epic cattle raid of Cooley, An Táin, Queen Medb marched her army of Connaught men across Dundalk Bay at Áth Lethan in pursuit of Donn Cuailgne, the Brown Bull of Cooley. This march was composed as part of a commission by Create Louth.

The reel was composed as part of a suite of music that was commissioned by Na Magha CLG and performed in the Guildhall in Derry in May 2015. We dedicate this tune to Feargal McNicholl and Dave Duggan, both great hurling men and visionaries.

We were initially stuck for a name for this set, however whilst recording it for Fleadh TV, Dónal was reminded of a favourite old catchphrase of the Irish TV host Gay Byrne. So Roisín rolled it! 

Ulaid - Roll It There Roisin

I composed/sound designed some music for the bilingual theater production Makaronik by Dave Duggan which toured Ireland in Autumn 2014.

http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/features/performing-arts/makaronik

Makaronik Opening Sequence

A track created for the opening of Act 2 of 'Belfast Rising' a play by Brassneck Theatre Company featuring Tony Devlin (Band of Brothers) and Séainín Brennan (The Fall) with Videography and lighting by Conleth White.
Belfast, 1916; an industrial powerhouse at the heart of an empire. A city immersed in the revolutionary and radical politics of it’s time that would drive a number of its citizens to strike for their country’s freedom. Through story, song and visuals, ‘Belfast Rising’ uncovers the legacy of the women and men connected with the city who would rally to their country’s cause, and strike at the heart of the British empire in pursuit of their independence.

This powerful new production from the multi-award-winning Brassneck Theatre, explores the impact that Belfast had upon the Easter Rising of 1916.

Belfast Rising Opening 2nd Act

I was commissioned to create a soundscape for theatre company Aisling Ghéar's 20th anniversary celebration exhibition. Featuring the actors Gearoid O’Caireallain, Bríd Ó Gallochóir, Tony Devlin, Nuala Uí Neill, Séan Mac Séain, Concubhar Ó Liatháin, Donal Mac Giolla Choill and music which I composed for the 2015 production 'Makaronik'.

Aisling Ghéar: Comóradh 20 Bliain – Ar Aistear i dTéatar Éireannach
Tá Aisling Ghéar – Compántas drámaíochta Gaeilge i dTuaisceart Éireann, ag cur tús, sa bhliain chomóraidh seo, le Taispeántas Aisbhreathnaitheach, ag coimhéad obair an chompántais ó bhí 1997 ann, i dteannta imeachtaí ina cathair dhúchais féin, Béal Feirste. Grianghraif, ailt nuachtán, gné-ailt, athbhreithnithe, cláir agus slata áirithe scannán 33mm, fuascailte ó chairde, teaghlach agus ó roinnt phríomh-eagraíochtaí na cathrach, a nochtann ciste fionnta uathúil! Agus é fréamhaithe go daingin sa chathair ach ag tabhairt na hoibre chuig na ceithre hairde, fiú sa saol crua atá ann, tugann Aisling Ghéar cuireadh duit, amharc siar, le bród agus le rí-ghnóthachtáil in dul chun cinn an chompántais agus, le misneach ionat go mbeidh rath air san am atá le theacht.

Aisling Ghéar Comóradh 20 Bliain  - Soundscape

I composed and arranged music for Brassneck Theatre's production 'The Blue Boy of Glenmore". 

Winter 1978. Cooley Mountains, Ireland. 

Jemmy John is a tortured soul. The sheep on the glen and the farm are his life but his younger sister Colleen yearns for something much more. With the help of a local car mechanic, Colleen is determined to escape Glenmore for the chance at a better life... but her older brother is having none of it. The life-long conflict between these sibling rivals is the catalyst that ignites the shocking events that unfold.

Punctuated by haunting bursts of orchestration from Donal O'Connor, the production shifts smoothly from light-heartedness to a place of mistrust, bitterness, and betrayal."

The Blue Boy of Glenmore -  Full Theme

Boy in a boat

Barry Kerr - The Leaving song

Dónal O'Connor is an Irish multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and television presenter from Ravensdale, County Louth, Ireland. He is a member of Belfast-based Irish traditional groups Ulaid & At First Light and runs a recording studio in Belfast - Redbox Recording.

Popular tracks by Dónal O'Connor