Breda Keville

Breda is known, and appreciated, for her individual, soulful, unshowy playing, influenced by some of the greatest players of the past. She grew up near Lough Corrib in Co. Galway, attending whistle lessons with Mary Bergin from the age of 7, and began learning the fiddle at school shortly afterwards. She got a new fiddle for her thirteenth birthday, and soon became hooked! Her musical influences come predominantly from older players ranging from  Paddy Fahey, Sarah & Rita Keane, Bobby Casey, Paddy Canny, Joe Ryan, Patrick Kelly to Willie Clancy and Felix Doran, among many others. Breda performed and presented at the 2021 Scoil na gCláirseach–Festival of Early Irish Harp, and gives workshops regularly, both in Ireland and abroad. She also teaches in Galway on an individual basis. Breda released her solo CD, The Hop Down, in July 2006. Dermot McLaughlin wrote that 'A recording like this is a cause for optimism at a time when so many accents and points of difference are being smoothed out of traditional music in studio recordings and elsewhere. This hop down is really a big step up!'