About Marie

A premier Irish fiddler from Co. Longford, Marie Reilly performs with a unique and distinctive Leitrim fiddle style passed down through eight generations. Marie was born into a family steeped in Irish traditional music – Her grandfather, father and uncles all being distinctive fiddle players.

‘There’s a lightness of touch to Reilly’s treatment of rare tunes, many dating to the 19th century, due to what she calls the “slur and cut” bowing style she inherited from her father.’ — The Irish Times

Marie was introduced to Irish music from a very young age and competed and won numerous championship competitions at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (Ireland’s premier music competition), Fleadh Great Britain and a myriad of festivals throughout Ireland, England, Scotland and the USA. Marie has appeared on national television in Ireland, performed in concert at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin, Glucksman Ireland House at New York University and at the Lincoln Center’s OurLand Festival, New York.

‘Marie adopts a very solid and expressive style in her playing […] Marie’s approach in both speed and ornamentation is a delight.’ — tradconnect.com

She also studied classical music and graduated with first class honours from the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. While living in England, Marie taught music in Birmingham and London. Along with teaching, she was a leading member of the folk group, ‘The Battering Ram’.

‘The Anvil is a delight… an album of light, flowing music that bounces along with a pleasant gait.’ — Irish Echo

Marie recently released a new album, ‘The Anvil’, dedicated to her father, Michael Reilly from Drumreilly, Co. Leitrim. The Anvil is a collection of some of the rarest and most delightful tunes of South Leitrim and Longford, a region with a distinctive fiddling tradition, passed down through eight generations. Many of the tunes on the recording, Marie learned from her father, a fiddling blacksmith, hence the CD’s title.

‘…a perfect soundtrack to a Sunday afternoon […] Reilly’s transitions throughout the album’s medleys are flawless.’ — Irish America Magazine

‘The album sheds light on the fiddling style of the Leitrim/Longford area […] lovely undiscovered tunes and settings that were unique to the area where Reilly was reared.’ — Irish Voice