About
The McGlinchey family from Omagh, Co. Tyrone, are deeply rooted in Irish traditional music. Led by Paul McGlinchey, an accomplished flute player, the family has become well known on the traditional music scene. Paul grew up in Omagh, where he learned the flute from renowned musicians including Arthur Kearney and Sean McCusker. With both of his parents sharing a strong love of Irish music, Paul was immersed in the tradition from an early age. He went on to achieve remarkable success, winning three Senior All-Ireland flute titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in 1993, 1994 and 1995, alongside titles in slow airs, miscellaneous instruments and duet competitions. Paul has also released two acclaimed albums, Unearthed and The Boys of the Town.
The musical tradition continues through his four daughters - Una and Maebh on fiddle, and Aoife and Ciara on concertina - who have earned countless Fleadh Cheoil titles and other accolades between them. The girls regularly perform with groups including the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland, Misneach orchestra and Music Generation Cross-Border Youth orchestra, with Maebh additionally travelling to Milwaukee last summer to perform with Feile Oriel. Recent highlights for the family include appearances on TG4's Ceolaireacht, recording for Geantraí, performing at Belfast TradFest and Dun Uladh's 30-year anniversary concert, and in 2024, being part of an All-Ireland winning Grúpa Ceoil.
