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Bio

From Conamara, Johnny Óg Connolly is a distinguished accordion player and composer, celebrated for his contributions to Irish Traditional Music. Following in the footsteps of his father, the renowned melodeon player Johnny Connolly, Johnny Óg has carved out his own legacy within the tradition.

Johnny Óg is known for his expressive playing style, which blends traditional Conamara elements with a modern sensibility. His compositions have been widely performed and recorded by other musicians, further enriching the repertoire. Many of his tunes have been composed in honour of family, friends, and fellow musicians.

Among his solo recordings, which include many of his compositions, are Aisling Yoshua (2011, Best Trad Album, Irish Times), Siar (2016), and Fear Inis Bearachain (2018). He has also recorded duet albums with Brian McGrath (Dreaming Up the Tunes, 1998) and the late Charlie Lennon (Dusk Till Dawn, 2005).

He has also composed two song cycles based on the poetry of Máirtín Ó Direáin—An tEarrach Thiar, featuring Liam Ó Maonlaí, and Fad Saoil (Joe Steve Ó Neachtain), which has also been recorded with Aisling Ní Neachtain and Cór Óige Chois Fharraige.

In 2022, he received a commission from Stiúideo Cuan (An Spidéal) to compose a suite of music. An Cosán Draíochta was the result, a work of music and song in memory of his father, the late Johnny Connolly.

His most recent work was a short suite entitled Ómós for Scoil Gheimhridh Joe Steve 2025. Johnny Óg would like to acknowledge the support of Ealaín na Gaeltachta and The Arts Council in helping to bring some of these projects to fruition.