Michael McGoldrick

Few folk players move as easily between instruments as Michael McGoldrick, whose Irish flute, uilleann pipes, low whistle and bodhran sit alongside acoustic guitar, cittern and mandolin. Born in Manchester in 1971, he has built his reputation on collaboration, lending his playing to bands across the Celtic and folk world and becoming a sought-after presence in ensembles of every size.

He co-founded the Celtic rock band Toss the Feathers while still at school, and in 1994 received the BBC Young Tradition Award. Between 1997 and 2000 he was an early member of Lúnasa, performing on the group's first recordings and tours, and in 1998 he joined the Scottish Gaelic band Capercaillie, with whom he has recorded eight albums to date. Since 2007 he has been a regular in the house band for the Transatlantic Sessions, and from 2010 he toured with Mark Knopfler's band, remaining active with it as of 2024. In 2025 he released 50 Original Tunes and Chords, featuring Donald Shaw and Innes White.