Michael 'Blackie' O'Connell is an Uilleann Piper. He can be hired as a soloist for wedding ceremonies, funerals and other celebrations and usually comes as a duo if it is background music for drinks receptions and parties. Blackie is one of the most exciting Uilleann pipers in traditional music and was taught the Uilleann pipes by the great Limerick piper Mickey Dunne. His influences are the playing of Paddy Keenan, who is a regular visitor to his home in Clare, Finbar Furey and the great Johnny Doran.