Photo: XIIIfromTOKYO · CC BY-SA 3.0 · credits
Tier 3 · vertical & regional
Michael McGoldrick
Person · male · United Kingdom · Manchester · born 1971 · recording since 1995
musician
streamingstreamingstreamingstreamingstreamingdatabasedatabasedatabase
Listen on SpotifyYouTube Music
Also known as M McGoldrick
Timeline
15 events▣ Album 13◦ Birth 1★ Debut release 1
1970s
1990s
· Debut release
Debut release: Champions of the North
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
2000s
2010s
2020s
Biography
English biography435 words · 2 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1376438952
Biography
Michael McGoldrick (born 26 November 1971, in Manchester, England) is a folk musician who plays Irish flute, uilleann pipes, low whistle and bodhran. He also plays other instruments such as acoustic guitar, cittern, and mandolin.
Bands
McGoldrick has been a member of several influential bands. In 1994, he was awarded the BBC Young Tradition Award, and in 2001 he was given the Instrumentalist of the Year award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
McGoldrick was a founding member of the Celtic rock band Toss the Feathers while still at school. During this time, he competed at the Fleadhanna with fiddler Dezi Donnelly, whom he had met through local Comhaltas meetings. He appeared at various local and national festivals and ran whistle/flute workshops at the Cambridge Folk Festival and for Folkworks on their "Flutopia" concert tour.
In the mid-1990s, McGoldrick was a member of Arcady, performing and recording with the band during its later years.
In November 1995, McGoldrick co-founded the band Fluke! (later renamed as Flook) with Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen. After one tour, he left the group to pursue other musical projects.
From 1997 until 2000, McGoldrick waws an early member of Lúnasa, performing on the group's initial recordings and tours. In 1998, he joined the Scottish Gaelic band Capercaillie, with whom he has recorded eight albums to date, including two live releases.
McGoldrick played regularly with Afro-Celt Sound System and has been a longstanding member of Kate Rusby's touring and recording band. He has also led his own ensemble, Michael McGoldrick Band, since the late 2000s.
In addition to larger ensembles, McGoldrick has been active in smaller collaborative projects, including long-running duos and trios with musicians such as John Doyle, John McCusker, Tim Edey, John Carty, and Dezi Donnelly, resulting in several studio and live recordings.
Since 2007, McGoldrick has been a regular member of the house band for the Transatlantic Sessions, where he has performed both traditional material and his own compositions and arrangements.
In 2010, Michael temporarily replaced John McCusker, joining Tim O'Brien on Mark Knopfler's US leg of the Get Lucky Tour. Following this stint, he continued with the band for the European leg of the workd tour. As of 2024, McGoldrick remains an active touring and recording member of Mark Knopfler's band.
In the early 2020s, McGoldrick became a member of Usher's Island, a folk supergroup featuring Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Paddy Glackin, and John Doyle, contributing to recordings and live performance.
In 2025, Michael released a tune collection and accompanying recording titled 50 Original Tunes and Chords, featuring Donald Shaw on piano and Innes White on guitar.
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 9 | 54.3th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 16 | 85.4th |
| Studio albums | 14 | 94th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 15 | 91.2th |
| Recording span (years) | 31 | 68.2th |
| Genres | 4 | 84.7th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (16 release groups · 14 studio albums)
Albums · 14
1995 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 8 tracks · 32:30
1The Red Bee Set3:542The Resting Chair, Kitty Town5:173The Rat in the Thatch Set2:414Miller's Maggot, Late Night Horror3:405The Champions's of the North Set7:186Fonn Mall Set2:577The Teatotaler, St. Anne's3:258Acid Reel3:181996 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 11 tracks · 44:12
1Jenny Picking Cockles / The Earl's Chair3:332The Glens of Aherlow / Trip to Hervé's4:083The Copperplate / The Green Mountain / The Controversial3:274The History Man3:595Knocknamoe Jig / Custy's / Trip to Brittany4:476Peter Brown's / Mamma's Pet / Sailor on the Rock2:347My Mind Will Never Be Easy / Baby Rory's Slip Jig3:468Larkin's Beehive / Andy McGann's / The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Moriarty5:489Gan Ainm / Lavery's 1 / Lavery's 2 / September Reel4:4110The Maid of Monsico / The Galway Rambler3:0011The Dub Reel4:292000 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 13 tracks · 1:01:05
1Watermans4:242James Brown's March / Noon Lassies4:193The Ashplant / Hanley's Reel / The Otter's Holt4:404The Fisherman In The Wardrobe / Goodbye Grant3:485Sullys No. 37 / Lucy's Reel4:166Lough Mountain / Paddy Finlay's / Dan Breen's Reel4:237Terry Teehan's / Her Long Black Hair4:418Windbroke / The Log4:439Buain a' Choirce3:4910Ridee / Paperbird5:4511Sean Reid's / An Bhean Tinceare / The Bunny's Hat5:2612Hip Agus Hop / The Roaring Bar Maid4:2313Donal Og6:282001 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 10 tracks · 28:56
1Outward Bound2:162Murphy's Magic3:483Funki Floot1:474New York Irish3:035The Stream4:176Irish Cream2:597The Old Boys Session1:408Mists Among The Stones3:139Shamrock Flyer2:5110Two In The Bush / Davey's Gravy3:022001 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 11 tracks · 43:23
1Farewell to Connaught: Farewell to Connaught / Liz Carroll's / Brendan's Reel / Limestone Rock5:342Rolling Waves: Palm Sunday / Willie Clancy's / Rolling Waves3:333Doinna4:024Ornette's Trip to Belfast: Donald Blue / Ornette's Trip to Belfast4:465Lucy Campbell's: John Nee's Reel / Lucy Campbell's3:286Lady Lane: Lady Lane / Farewell to Whalley Range / Michael Russell's3:277Trip to Ireland: Trip to Ireland / Jutland4:078The Bloom of Youth: Jimmy Batty's / The Bloom of Youth3:279Lacey's Jig: Lacey's Jig / Michael O'Dwyer's3:4710The Graf Spee: The Braes of Busby / Phyllis's Birthday / The Graf Spee3:5611Road to Taynuilt3:162005 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 58:09
1Wired to the Moon4:522Gaelic Gavotte4:073The Hillsbrook Reels4:184Strange Journey5:425The Honesty Bar4:476Famous Last Words4:137Sophie's4:068Paddy in the Smoke3:589Glenuig Bay5:1910The Desert Road7:4311The Jolly Tinker4:4812Last House in the Village4:162010 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 53:43
1Freefalling4:292Late Nights at the Central5:103Mackerel and Tatties3:504Annam Cara / Ships in the Night6:375Mickey's Reels3:226Stone of Destiny3:437Corrievreckan6:588Pontivy3:599Waterbound4:0310Baltimore Beginners4:1911The Jolly Angler4:0612Tunin Dre3:072017 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 10 tracks · 53:27
1The Wishing Tree4:452The Bonny Light Horseman5:553Highland5:454Billy O'Shea4:305Planxty Dermot Grogan6:446Burke & Hare4:237Goodman's4:418The Wicked Belfast Man4:109Keane O'Hara5:4710Banks of the Bann6:472018 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 11 tracks · 47:43
1Five and Drive3:412Wassalou River4:123Trip to Nova Scotia4:504Miss Catherine McGoldrick's Jigs4:095The Soaring Eagle4:016Angel Meadow3:557Black Swan On The Turlough5:368Simon & Candy's 50th Wedding Anniversary4:149John Kelly's Concertina4:4510The Ogham Stone4:2911Bill Malley's Barndance3:512020 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 9 tracks · 39:16
1The West Wind / Fred Finns / The Tinkers Stick3:252The Ballad of Jim Larkin3:533Leyny Station / Paddys Trip to Barnaderg / The Dog In the Fog5:004Josiane3:215The Lancashire Lads4:066Old Raffety's Apple / Paddy's Old Bike / Crawford's Shuffle4:547Shoot the Crows / Hagges Reel3:308Lovely Willie5:269Johnny Cope5:412022 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 17 tracks · 59:25
1Waverly / Ríl Máirtín Sheamuis (Old Timey Tune / Reel)3:562Kelly's Grove / Lilt of the Landscape (Reels)3:143Chief O'Neil's / Plains of Boyle / Humours of Westport (Hornpipes / Reels)4:364Stepping Stones / McShane's Rambles (Jigs)3:2255th Legion March3:246Ned of the Hill (Air)2:417Mist Covered Mountains of Home (Waltz)2:368The Pilgrimage / Mountcollins / Sally Gally (Jigs)3:259Peggy's Wedding / The Eastersnow Reel (Reels)4:3210Gypsy Princess (Old Timey)2:3411Gold Ring / Star of Munster (Jig / Reel)5:4112Lord Galway's Lamentation3:3113Lucy Campbell / Jolly Tinker (Reels)3:3314Meadbh's Journey (Slow Reel)2:3215Whistler O’re The Lave O’t / Kilkenny For Me / Come To The Fair (Marches)3:0816The Groves (Hornpipe)3:4817The Wind That Shakes The Barley / Boyne Hunt / The Sandmount (Reels)2:522024 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 17 tracks · 1:10:52
1Ma Theid Mise Tuileagh / St. Kilda Wedding Reel3:382Indian Ate the Woodchuck / Billy in the Lowground / The Lost Girl3:453The Wheatstone (Michael McGoldrick) / Humours of Lisheen / Siocán Sneachta (Joe Carey) / The Golden Lobe (Michael McGoldrick)5:514I Ne’er Shall Wean Her / Out on the Ocean / Black Pat’s (Tommy Peoples)5:355Rocking the Boat (Mairtin O’Connor) / Wing Commander Donald Mackenzie (Phil Cunningham)2:586Sound of Sleet / The Wise Maid4:167Port Na bPúcai / Cucanandy / Slide5:458The Roscommon Reel / John Blessings / Mayor Harrisons Fedora3:179Mrs Judge3:3110Larkin’s Beehive / My Love and I in the Garden / The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Moriarty (Tony Sullivan)4:3611Give Me Your Hand / Independence Hornpipe / Colonel Frasers6:2212Mist Covered Mountains / The Bass Rock (Michael McGoldrick)3:1213Strike the Gay Harp / The Legacy2:4514The Wedding Reels / Marian’s Favourite (Tony Sullivan)4:2415Calum’s Road (Donald Shaw Vertical Records) / The Full Set (Michael McGoldrick)4:4716The Shores of Lough Gowna / I Was Born for Sport / Big Johns Hands3:3717Step It Out Joe (Charlie Lennon)2:33Between the Mountain and the Sea
2026 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 11 tracks · 55:55
0[untitled]1James Murray's / Velvet Lane / The Red Gap4:312The Hare's Lament / Pat Mahon's / Toss the Feathers5:493The Rising of the Rocks / Seal Town / The Quiddle4:254Margaritte5:565Callan's March / Something / Rosso / I Don't Care / Pop7:046Betsy McLean4:357Ballade à l'Hôtesse / The Periwig / Ruidhle Mo5:588Nighean Donn / The Bells of Tipperary / Stay With Me Here6:009Alasdair Sutherland's March / The Curlew Pass / Jig in the Roundhouse / The Perfect Storm6:1510Between the Mountain and the Sea5:22— · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 41:01
1The Killavil Jig / Fox in the Thatch / Peter O'Byrne's Fancy3:202Manchester Reel / Eanach Mhic Coilin2:123The Walls of Liscarroll / Rooney's Favourite / Connaught Man's Ramble's5:154St Patrick's Cathedral3:105An Buachaillin Dreoite / The Lark in the Morning2:436Colonel O'Hara's / The Humours of Westport4:197The Wheel of the World / Paddy Murphy's Wife3:148Happy to Meet - Sorry to Part / The Stolen Purse / Maude Millar's3:329The Galtee Rangers / Meet You Down the Station / Dog in the Fog2:5310The Humours of Carrigaholt / The Ladies Cup of Tea3:0111Black Swan on the Turlough / Boys of Tandernagee4:2912The Humours of Lissadell / The Queen of May / Sweeney's Dream2:53
Album · 2
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | LiveSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks · 1:11:041Farewell to Whalley Range4:53 2Edinburgh Rock3:34 3Apprentice Boy3:51 4Breton Set6:17 5Lochaber Badger5:22 6False Lady5:13 7Under One Sky6:55 8Bedlam Boys3:01 9Five for Buckfast6:56 10Long Black Hair5:56 11Madame I'm a Darling3:24 12Leaving Friday Harbor5:03 13Shetland Molecule5:38 14Helvic Head Set5:01 | Live | 2012 | |
| 2020 | Waterman's Live EPSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 3 tracks · 24:181Waterman's4:51 2Amhrán an Bhá & Reid's Reels14:06 3Farewell to Whalley Range / Roddy MacDonald's Fancy5:21 | Live | 24 July 2020 |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put Michael McGoldrick head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 9 | 54.3th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 16 | 85.4th |
| Studio albums | 14 | 94th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 15 | 91.2th |
| Recording span (years) | 31 | 68.2th |
| Genres | 4 | 84.7th |
Awards & honours
Line-up
| Name | From | To | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eden’s Bridge(band) | — | present | |
| Usher’s Island(band) | — | present | |
| Transatlantic Session Band(band) | — | present | |
| McGoldrick, McCusker, Drever(band) | — | present | |
| Flook(band) | 1995 | 1997 | |
| Capercaillie(band) | 1997 | present | flute,tin whistle |
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FIL_2012_-_Mc_Goldrick%2C_Mc_Cusker%2C_Doyle_2.JPGaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/575945ae-c310-40c1-b42a-4caf7edf8080discography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/575945ae-c310-40c1-b42a-4caf7edf8080core—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2210490genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2210490seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_McGoldrickbiography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_McGoldrick
Why this artist is in the database
- List of folk musicians
Tier rule: curated genre/region list
Image: XIIIfromTOKYO · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q2210490 · MusicBrainz: 575945ae-c310-40c1-b42a-4caf7edf8080
Similar artists
Browse every Tier 3 artist →Ranked from this record's own data: shared genre tags (rarer tags weigh more), era, home country and comparable fame. Every card lists the signals that placed it — no editorial picks.
Charlotte Church
United Kingdom · Person
Celtic music
1 shared genre tag · debut 1998, 3 years apart · from United Kingdom
30 wikis
Karan Casey
Ireland · Person
music of Ireland
1 shared genre tag · debut 1997, 2 years apart
9 wikis
Méav Ní Mhaolchatha
Ireland · Person
music of Ireland
1 shared genre tag · debut 1998, 3 years apart
8 wikis
Ronnie Drew
Ireland · Person
music of Ireland
1 shared genre tag · debut 1995, same year
26 wikis
Frances Black
Ireland · Person
Celtic music
1 shared genre tag · debut 1994, 1 year apart
8 wikis
Flook
Spain · Group
music of Ireland
1 shared genre tag · debut 1997, 2 years apart
9 wikis
Solas
United States · Group
music of Ireland
1 shared genre tag · debut 1996, 1 year apart
9 wikis
Carlos Núñez
Spain · Person
Celtic music
1 shared genre tag · debut 1996, 1 year apart
16 wikis