Proinsias Ó Maonaigh

Proinsias Ó Maonaigh
Proinsias Ó Maonaigh with his daughter Mairéad in 2002
Background information
Birth name	Proinsias Ó Maonaigh
Born	1922 Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland
Died	28 March 2006(2006-03-28) (aged 83–84) Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal, Ireland
Genres	Irish Traditional
Occupation(s)	Musician, teacher

Proinsias Ó Maonaigh (IPA:[ˈpˠɾˠɪnʲʃiəsˠoːˈmˠiːn̪ˠiː]) or Francie Mooney (1922 - 28 March 2006) was a fiddler from Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair), County Donegal, Ireland. He is known for his distinguished fiddle playing and his unique and vast contribution to Irish music and culture. He is the father of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (lead vocalist and cofounder of Irish folk music band Altan) and grandfather of fiddle player Ciarán Ó Maonaigh.

Born in Gaoth Dobhair in 1922 as the youngest of eight children, he was a son of a famous musician from the area Róise Mhór who would have played with An Píobaire Mór ("The Great Piper") Tarlach Mac Suibhne. It was an Irish speaking household and traditional music was nurtured within the home and they were taught many Irish songs.

In 1954, he married a Gaoth Dobhair woman, Kitty Ní Ghallchóir, and they have three children: Gearóid Ó Maonaigh, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Áine Ní Mhaonaigh (or Anna Mooney). Francie is also the grandfather of fiddle player Ciarán Ó Maonaigh.

He taught at Luinneach primary school in Gaoth Dobhair from 1967 until his retirement in 1996. He also taught many locals how to play the fiddle up to the age of 82.

Francie was also a keen Gaelic footballer and contributed greatly to the local and county GAA.

He is credited for such works as "Francie Mooney's German", "Francie Mooney's Mazourka" and "Francie Mooney's Highland".

His most famous song was written about his hometown Gaoth Dobhair, called "Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair". It has been performed by singers such as Altan, Paul Brady, Brian Kennedy and Clannad.