Fintan Vallely, Biographical notes:
Fintan Vallely is a Traditional-Irish flute player and writer on music. He has contributed to academic journals and conferences, and has produced and edited several books, most important among them the 1999, A-Z reference work Companion to Irish Traditional Music. His research covers political perceptions of Traditional music, and also the flute in recreational and political musics. He lectures in Traditional music at Dundalk Institute of Technology, Co. Louth.
¥ Born into a farming background in North Co. Armagh, has played flute and uilleann pipes since early teens. In post-college years worked in all aspects of the printing industry up until 1992, and has travelled all over the world playing music.
¥ Teaching flute annually at Scoil Samhradh Willie Clancy
¥ 1995-97 - programme consultant for RTƒ Traditional music productions Pure Drop, High Reel and Willie Clancy Sessions.
¥ An initiating organiser of Crosbhealach an Cheoil - The Crossroads Conference , Dublin 1996, a major conference addressing Traditional music and modern-day challenge.
¥ Feasibility consultant for Sligo Co. Council Arts Office's study for a multi-genre Music School in Gurteen (1997).
¥ Selection panellist for TG4 Traditional musician of the year and Young Traditional musician awards (1998 - )
¥ Consultant for an integrated Traditional Music/Ethnomusicology course for Siamsa T’re, Tralee (1999); contributor to Glenarm, Co. Antrim cross-community music centre study(2-2000); assessor for NCEA approval of ITT (Tralee) degree course in Traditional music and drama.
¥ Member of the board of the Irish Traditional Music Archive 1996-99. ¥ 1999 - Traditional music consultant for 5-part RTE-BBC television series ƒire 's Alba.
¥ Development consultant for Celtictunes.com a comprehensive website in Irish traditional music. (launch c. Dec. 2000)