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Liam Ó Maonlaí

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Liam Ó Maonlaí
Ó Maonlaí performing with Hothouse Flowers in 2024
Ó Maonlaí performing with Hothouse Flowers in 2024
Background information
Born (1964-11-07) 7 November 1964 (age 60)
Monkstown, County Dublin, Ireland
Occupation(s)Musician
Songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, keyboards, bodhrán, whistle
Years active1985–present
Websitewww.liamomaonlai.ie

Liam Ó Maonlaí (born 7 November 1964 in Monkstown, County Dublin, Ireland)[1] is an Irish musician best known as a member of Hothouse Flowers.[2] Ó Maonlaí formed the band in 1985 with his schoolmate Fiachna Ó Braonáin.[3]

Biography

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He attended Scoil Lorcáin, Monkstown and Coláiste Eoin, which is a Gaelscoil on Dublin's southside, although he credits his father as being the main influence for his love of the Irish language,[4][5] of which he is a fluent speaker. He won an under-18 all-Ireland award for his skills on the bodhrán.[6] Ó Maonlai first formed a band called The Complex with childhood friend Kevin Shields and drummer Colm Ó Cíosóig.[7] After Liam left to form the Hothouse Flowers in 1984, Shields and Ó Cíosóig were joined by vocalist Dave Conway and keyboardist Tina (who used no surname), and renamed themselves My Bloody Valentine, taking their name from a low-budget horror film.[8]

Ó Maonlaí is also an active member of the Nuclear Free Future movement and contributed to the hosting of events in Carnsore and in Wexford Town in 2001. In 2004 he was a guest at the Barefoot College, located at Rajasthan, India. In 2005 he released a solo album entitled Rían which is a collection of tunes and songs in Irish.[9][10] He performed in the 2009 Dublin to Gaza benefit concert.[11]

The 2008 documentary Dambé: The Mali Project tells the story of his 3,000 mile cross-cultural musical adventure with Paddy Keenan and friends, and features performances from the Festival au Désert.[12]

Acting

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  • "No Strings". Lovejoy. Season 3. Episode 2. 1992. - as himself.
  • I Could Read the Sky (1999) – Joe[13]
  • Timbuktu (2004) – Conor[14]
  • The Busker (2006) – Patrick O'Mallie
  • Dambé: The Mali Project (2008), (documentary)

Discography

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  • Rian (2005)
  • To Be Touched (2009)

Guest singles

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Year Single Artist Peak chart
positions 		Album
CAN AC CAN
1995 "Grey Dusk of Eve" The Rankin Family 31 85 Grey Dusk of Eve

References

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  1. ^ "Liam Ó Maonlaí: It's hard to go through the chaos of separating". Irish Independent. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Shane MacGowan's funeral and procession – in pictures". the Guardian. 8 December 2023. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Hothouse Flower Fiachna O'Braonain is back". Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Liam O Maonlai". Archived from the original on 10 February 2009. Retrieved 18 January 2009.
  5. ^ "Learn Irish with Liam O Maonlai". Irish Independent. 7 June 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  6. ^ Liam O Maonlai Archived 2009-02-10 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ writewyattuk (5 October 2021). "Coming to an understanding of myself – the Liam Ó Maonlaí interview". writewyattuk. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Return of Bloody good innovators sets hearts racing". Irish Independent. 24 November 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Liam O'Maonlai :: Rian". www.allcelticmusic.com. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Liam Ó Maonlaí's - Rian takes to the stage (& Song of the Day)". KLOF Mag. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  11. ^ "INTERVIEW: Liam Ó Maonlaí | Welcome to UK Music Reviews". Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  12. ^ Glynn, Dearbhla (25 July 2008), Dambé: The Mali Project (Documentary, Music, Musical), Afel Bocoum, Toumani Diabaté, Paddy Keenan, Luachra Productions, retrieved 4 April 2024
  13. ^ I Could Read the Sky (1999)
  14. ^ Timbuktu (2004)
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