Mairead Nesbitt - Biography, Pictures, Videos
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- Name: Mairead Nesbitt
- Year of Birth: 1975
- Birth Place: Loughmore, County Tipperary, Ireland
- Parents: John and Kathleen Nesbitt
- Siblings: 1 sister - Frances, and 4 brothers- Sean, Michael, Noel and Karl
- Genres: Classical, Celtic
- Occupation: Musician
- Instrument: Fiddle, violin, piano
- Label: Vertical, Manhattan
- Associated acts: Celtic Woman, Coolfin
- Website: MaireadNesbitt.com
Mairead Nesbitt is a Classical and Celtic music performer, most notably as a fiddler and violinist.
Mairead Nesbitt Biography
Mairead Nesbitt was born to John and Kathleen Nesbitt, both well-known music teachers, and has a sister, Frances, and four brothers, Seán, Michael, Noel and Karl, all of whom are musicians. She has been a piano player since the age of four, and began playing the violin at age six.
Besides her family, Mairead cites such diverse influences as classical violinist Itzakh Pearlman, Irish Fiddlers Liz Carroll, Michael Coleman and Andy McGann, Jazz musician Stephane Grappelli, Country player Alison Kraus and rock performers David Bowie, Sting, U2 and Bjork.
Nesbitt got her break in 1996 when she was invited to perform in the Michael Flatley show Lord of the Dance. She released her debut solo album in 2001, Raining Up, which features a broad range of musical styles, both traditional and contemporary.
In 2004, Nesbitt was invited to play violin for a performance at the Helix Theatre in Dublin, called Celtic Woman. The popularity of this and subsequent performances on television and live albums has lead to numerous tours throughout the world.
Mairead is a musician who believes in giving herself fully to the music:
"I'm drawing on every background that I have. Whatever grabs me at the time is what comes out. The most important thing to me is that you have to be versatile and people have to know that they can depend on that. The main thing for any type of music is versatility. If you can bring in different elements, it's tastefully done, it works musically and it works emotionally from your heart, it will sound believable to other people. If it touches them in a certain way, that's the main thing."
Mairead Nesbitt is a former Fleadh Cheoil all-Ireland fiddle champion, and was named by Irish Music Magazine as Best Traditional Female in 2003.
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Mairead Nesbitt Pictures
Mairead Nesbitt video - The Butterfly
Mairead Nesbitt video - The Contradiction
Mairead Nesbitt video - My Lagan Love
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Thanks for pointing that out, it's been corrected.
Mairead Nesbitt is like an angel with a fabulous talent playing the violin, now I can imagine how the Heaven looks like.
Seriously, she is amazing and I hope she continues playing for a long time. Sincerely Ernesto Espínola
Mairead not only plays the violin beautifully she gives it feeling that comes from her heart. Plus! what a drop dead, dazzling, beautiful, magnificent looking woman. I look foreward to meeting her in May, 08. She reminds me of a little mischievous pixie with the way she leaps and dances while playing her fiddle. What a joy!
Mairead is not only Talented,Beautiful and the looks of an ANGEL, She is just plain GORGIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a semi-retired pastor and a never-retiring music lover. As I listen to the artistry of Mairead Nesbitt, I imagine her accompanying King David as he played music and danced before the Lord in 2 Samuel 6 or as he praised God with stringed instruments and dancing in Psalm 150.
As I listen more, my physical ailments, emotional stresses and spiritual uncertainties melt away in my joy. And I pity all the poor strait-laced critics who dismiss as unCeltic or unimportant the lovely and exquisite blending of musical styles characteristic of Mairead and her musical companions in Celtic Woman. Their criticism just fades away.. And I am reminded of the words of John O’Donohue, the Irish poet:
We put terrible pressure on our minds. When we tighten them or harden our views or beliefs, we lose all the softness and flexibility that makes for real shelter, belonging, and perfection. Sometimes the best way of caring for your soul is to make flexible again some of the views that harden and crystallize your mind; for these alienate you from your own depth and beauty. Creativity seems to demand flexible and measured tension. In musical terms, the image of the violin is instructive here. If the strings are tuned too tightly they snap. When the tuning is balanced, the violin can endure massive force and produce the most powerful and tender music.
Has anyone heard Raining Up? It's a great ablum! Mairead even sings on one of the tracks!
I think it's safe to say that Mairead is the Celtic Woman bad-ass. She's amazing. Whenever I watch her on TV, I marvel. I even find myself saying, "She is so cool!
No doubt she has the face which launched a thousand ships. And an extreme musical genius of all manner of musical qualities. Great website. The secret is she is an angel for Angels never give their date of birth or creation. She has to be older than twenty -four and younger than thirty three this year--2008. Thanks!
realy talented but i'd expect nothing less. awesome
Absolutely beautiful. Not just the musical talent and skill. Mairead gives real heartfelt expression to her performances. She is a joy to watch and hear. Long may she continue.
Truly, the most beautiful, talented, Angel of a lady I have EVER, had the honor to meet, on May 17th 2008. The best day I ever had. I am, and shall forever be in this lady's debt for the gift she has shared with me. Her incredible God given gift of music. Mairead, my heart is forever yours. Sincerly yours, Glenn, a.k.a. The Rotten Rebel. Mission Hills, Ca.
Mairead is so incredibly talented!! There is a great fan forum dedicated to her here: http://maireadforum.com/forum/index.php
when i saw her first time (15 minutes ago) i just think ... i`m really fall in love. i didn`t know what kind of angels perform this celestial music.
Only words I have are wonderfully talented, and inspirational!!
Nairead was born in 1975... just to clarify things up
borrowed jeff's (moonman's) computer to add a comment on meav's site...
now i'll put one here. is the lassie's name ponounced mar-aid? anyhow, i
use music and lyrics from the likes of the angels on the celtic woman album
for they're intended purpose...they bring be back to feeling more human
after being beaten up by the poor old tired machinery where i work. i'm
thinking maybe helping people in those areas was part of the idea for
creating the album to start with...and far be it form me to pass it up.
thank's mairead...words can't express how pretty i think you are, or how
deeply your fiddlin' around (you make it look so easy) touches me.
again, thanks. tom (yer ol' uncle fuddly)
I swear she performed last week, on the MS Noordam, with her husband as a duo called, "Livewire".
Either that or she has a twin that performs as beautifully as she does!!
When I saw Mairead on PBS I was absolutly breathless. This little thing jumped, ran, bounced about while playing fiddle & she had such a smile as to stop me in my tracks. She has the kind of smile that would make the coldest of hearts MELT. Cutest smile I've seen in a LONG time, without a doubt. I could not get enough of her or her fiddle.
Before I knew her name, I pointed her out to a friend of mine saying, "LOOK AT HER GO!". He asked her name & all I could say was, " beautiful little spitfire."
I dont care how old she is, she's wonderfully talented and Beautiful
Love ya Mairead!
Jeffery Spann
Beside's her beauty when i watch her jumping and playing at the same time i melt away, i think of her and Jimi Hendrix they both make such a loving sound when they play. It's like there string's are a part of there body and the sound just flow's off them with no effort that to me make's her a great one yet look's very down to earth, Like you would see her in the PUB haveing a pint with her friend's. Love you and your music Never Stop. God Bless You
A light more in the infinite universe...
A flower more in the garden's earth...
God blessing
is she married?
Just watched a PBS special. Are we to believe that she is really playing and dancing at the same time? Possibly she was, live, but the fingering and soundtrack were not in sync.
Mairead Nesbitt, and all the other performers are exquisite,
remarkable, extremely gifted with heavenly,angelic vocals
ever brought together such beautiful talented angels on one stage for all to hear.
wow she is so cool really cool nice solo in the butterfly
she is really good the best in a long time.
She is simply talented and gifted woman. The way she skips across the stage, Wow!! I wish her the best.
By the way, can anyone tell me wether she is married or not?
I have long been a fan of Lord of the Dance, and I was glad to find this info on one of the two fiddlers who visited the stage periodically throughout the show. She's good--very good.
Mind knumbingly beautifull and hot! If she has one her boyfreind is exceedingly lucky! AND I HATE HIM!!!!
Saw her for the second time in concert this week. What a beautiful talented woman. She really is a LARGE part of Celtic Woman and as long as she is with that group, I will continue to attend her concerts. She is absolutely fantastic!
Mariad came into my life to brighten it forever. Her animation, energy and that heavenly "touch" on the Violin has just haunted me. The violin she currnetly plays has to be worth a fortune! She pulls tones out of low base notes I had forgotten existed. And the high notes are nothing short of perfect! She is one talented lady!!
I have watched Miaread several times on IPB and she is great and always brings a smile to my face. I described her as a pixie to my husband. Her energy and music is outstanding.
I was in Ireland last year, met a lot of women (and men), but none was named Miaread. Is it common? And, if so (and even if it's not) how is it pronounced? She's terrific, by the way, but you already know that....
Mairead Nesbitt is a AMAZING artist. If you can't or won't tap your feet to her music then you have no soul. She brings such joy to my heart, with her ability to play and move across the stage and never miss a cord or step. You can see the love in her face when she plays and dances. I am a fan for life.
HER PERFORMANCE OF SHENANDOAH SUMS MAIREAD UP AS SHE SHOWS US HER PASSION AND LOVE OF WHAT SHE IS DOING,AND HER EYES AT THE END OF THE SONG TELLING US THAT THERE IS ALSO A FUN LOVING PERSON INSIDE
MAIREAD NESBITT ID THE BEST ARTIST OF ALL TIME. SHE IS SUPER TALENTED ADN THE WAY SHE SKIPS ACROSS THE STAGE... AMAZING!!!! I ALSO PLAY THE FIDDLE AND MY GOAL WOULD BE TO GET AT LEAST HALF AS GOOD AS HER. I HAVE HER CD... AMAZING! AND I'VE SEEN HER IN CELTIC WOMAN!!!!! I LOVE MAIREAD(NO HOMO!)
In my opinion, she's the most wonderful violinist in the entire world.
Im just a simple country boy from mississippi, my wife i really enjoy the performances
Maireadh, your talent,beauty and exuberance create an overall presence and a light that we won't probably ever see again. Go raibh mile maith agat!
All I have to say is she is simply amazing and i love her elagance and the music her and Celtic Women make nuttin but love for yous keep it up..
Yes. She's marrying me..love you always and how does first of January to start the new year
She makes the world smile.
Does anyone here who is a Celtic Woman fan play violin him/herself? I play, and my teachers and colleagues who are musicians of note do not believe the type of tone she displays can come from the position her bow takes (way too far down the tail piece when she is jumping around--way too far from the bridge) when she is dancing around. Futhermore, can anyone name even one other performer that spins around to that extent who is truly playing violin? THis defies the physics and requirements of this instrument. I suspect she is playing, but her microphone is off and the producers are at the very least mixing in some of her pre-recorded sound.
This little chicky has become my new dream woman. Absolutely adorable and mind blowing talent.
Off to ticket master to see if there's tickets in my area.
Noticed someone else asked if she was married...was wondering this myself.
I was in Ireland last year, met a lot of women (and men), but none was named Miaread.
Mairead is a fairly common name, pronounced Mah-RAID, and translates to "Margaret" in English.
WOW Mairead is mind blowingly gorgeous
Mairead is an amazingly talented with style and grace all her own!
EXQUISITE!!
WOULDN'T IT REMARKABLE IF SHE COULD SING TO!!??
As a father of a daughter, my only concern is,
"IS SHE HAPPY"! I TRUELY HOPE SO!!
All of her music is great but I do love Shendoah Pacific Slope 2. She is fascinating to watch and listen to. I don't know how she keeps from getting her hair caught in the strings. She is truly a great artist!
SHARON HAMES 4 years ago
GOOD PICTURES. THE ONLY THING IS IF SHE STARTED IN LORD OF THE DANCE IN 1996 AND SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN BORN IN 1983, THEN SHE WAS ONLY 13 WHEN SHE JOINED LOTD. SHE MOST DEFINATELY WAS OLDER THAN THAT SO THAT BIRTHDATE IS WRONG. I HAVE READ IN MANY ARTICLES THAT SHE DOES NOT GIVE OUT THE YEAR OF HER BIRTH. HER BIRTHDAY IS APRIL 18