Irish Millie

Bio

 My Story

At 3, I first heard Natalie MacMaster and begged my parents for a fiddle. By 6, I had my first one, kicking off my journey as a first-generation fiddle player. Now, at 17, I’m studying Music Industry and Technology at the University of Toronto. During the 2020 lockdown, my dad, Murray, and I recorded our debut album, Thirteen, which earned me a 2022 Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for Young Performer of the Year. My band, The Receivers, and I were nominated again in 2023. I was again nominated in 2024 for my EP The Trilogy. My band toured Vermont in March 2024 and I hit Vancouver Island this past summer, then closing with a dream performance on the main stage at PEI’s Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival—sea to sea, baby! The best news? I’ve just released my second album, GRACE, available for purchase now on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms. I am especially proud of So Gone, a tribute to my dear friend Pius MacIsaac. You can purchase it on on Bandcamp or listen to it as the third track on GRACE.

Listen on Bandcamp, Spotify, or Apple Music.

The Music

You know what I love most about fiddle music? Each person hears something different, and we celebrate it for that very reason. Each tune I play tells a story (mostly from the person who shared it with me) but when I retell it, I get to make it my own, and share a bit of my heart with every note I play.

Although I love all fiddle music, I am passionate about the East Coast, Bluegrass and Contemporary Trad styles. I love to play fast-paced, fun, and challenging tunes that get the crowd up on their feet. I listen to what I love and that's how I've learned to play. I also love to write my own music as you can tell from GRACE, which is made up of all my own tunes. I have been playing with my dad in accompaniment for almost my whole life. Recently we have been collaborating with our band The Receivers. Together we have released four tunes, all written and preformed by us! We even recorded a video for our third tune, OMM. Although it has been a very busy year, I continue to do several fundraising concerts. I also play at weddings, parties, pubs and love to jam with other bands.

Giving Back

When I was wee, I really wanted to go to a local music camp, but my family couldn't afford to send me. Someone who I didn't even know, offered to help. That was a huge gesture that I'll never forget. Soon after, I started busking every Saturday at my local farmers' market so that I could not only pay for camp, but also give back to this community that showed me such kindness. I learned that even though I am young, I can use my gift of music to help others in real and meaningful ways.

The past few years I have focused my fundraising efforts on the Terry Fox Foundation, a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I recently wrote a tune for Terry Fox called "If I Don't Make It". The proceeds from the tune and the accompanying video all go to my annual Fiddling For Fox campaign.

#shareyourgifts

"When you have a gift (and everyone has one) it's important to use that gift to help others. People think you need money to better the world, but really you just need to share your gifts."

~ Irish Millie, Age 12