Patrick V. O’Donnell

P. V. O’Donnell was a renowned Irish fiddler in the Donegal style. Born in Buncrana, Donegal, he learned fiddle and Irish step dancing from a very early age and began his lifelong commitment and love of Irish music. One of his early mentors was legendary fiddler Pat Mulhern of Inishowen. PV played in many bands all devoted to traditional music. In 1987, after a time performing throughout Canada and the United States, he moved to Manchester, Connecticut and became an influential part of the local and regional music scene. He returned often to Ireland to play and refresh his repertoire. PV taught many students throughout his life and was beloved as a mentor and performer. He instituted a long-running pub music session in Hartford and inspired the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann branch in Stamford to name itself after him. He taught Donegal style Irish fiddle to Laura Ridarelli in the Southern New England Traditional Arts Program in 2009-2010.