The SFS is pleased to present a virtual online concert May 8th, 7pm, with traditional Irish fiddler Gerry O’ Connor, accompanied by guitarist Richard Mandel. Gerry O’Connor is from Dundalk, Co. Louth, where he grew up in a family of musicians, dancers and singers, all taught at home by his mother, Rose. A four times winner of The Fiddler of Oriel competition, Gerry has lately adjudicated both it and the Gael Linn’s Siansa and RAAP /RTE sponsored Breakthrough competitions. He was co-founder and first Artistic Director of Ceol Chairlinn, an annual teaching festival in Carlingford , Co Louth. He is also the Traditional Arts coordinator at the newly established Creative-Connexions Irish/ Catalan Arts festival in Sitges, teaches fiddle at the Willie Clancy Summer School and at master-classes throughout Europe. Gerry has also performed with top Irish musicians such as the Chieftains, Bothy Band, Planxty, Boys of the Lough, and De Dannan, besides his own bands La Lugh, Skylark, and Oirialla. In concert, Gerry is warm and engaging with the audience; full of humor, and master of his bow – the sounds he pulls out of his violin are exquisite, the jigs and reels just seem to trip off his fiddle and bow! Richard very ably backs him with masterful accompaniment, and those who were at their their first performance in Seattle know that the evening will be a real treat for anyone who loves Irish traditional music played by masters!