Hailing from Killarney, Ireland, Niamh started playing music at the age of 4. A multiple award winner on both fiddle and concertina, she toured for 8 years as a soloist with Riverdance, performing in over 2500 shows, before returning to Ireland where she is now based (when not touring!)
She released her debut album "Ón Dá Thaobh / From Both Sides" in 2007 to much critical acclaim and her second album "Súgach Sámh / Happy Out" in 2010, which again garnered rave reviews. She was nominated for Top Solo Performer in the 2011 Irish Music Awards and in January 2012 was awarded Female Musician of the Year in the Live Ireland Music Awards 2012. These awards, compiled by respected and renowned industry critic Bill Margeson, are (along with TG4) the most eagerly anticipated Irish Traditional Music Awards of the year.
Along with touring extensively as a solo artist and with her own band, Niamh has also performed and recorded with The Chieftains, with Carlos Núñez. and in 2011 released a new album "The Basque Irish Connection", in collaboration with Basque musician Ibon Koteron.
Niamh spent a busy 2012 touring in the USA, Canada, Scandinavia, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Ireland and the UK and spent September recording her new album “Cuz – A tribute to Terry Cuz”, due for release in March 2013. In December, she departed for China where she is currently on tour with Riverdance until February 2013, returning as the fiddle and concertina soloist, along with taking on the role of Musical Director for the first time.
Niamh appeared as a guest with the Brock McGuire Band at the 2009 Shetland Folk Festival but will be appearing this time with Mathew Griffin on guitar, Dominic Keogh on Bodhrán and Cathal King on flute.
Niamh Ní Charra has released a startlingly mature collection...that further sculpts her musical identity with both grace and danger...A wonderful, unforced further step into the limelight
Siobhan Long, The Irish Times - 4 Star Album Review, 10/09/2010
Charming fiddler Niamh Ni Charra, who seemed to dance a jig while playing one, easily could have been a one-woman show.
South Bend Tribune, South Bend 05/2005
Find out more at www.niamhnicharra.com.
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