Clíodhna Ní Aodáin - The Celtic Cello
The Celtic Cello is the creation of Irish cellist, composer and conductor Clíodhna Ní Aodáin. Born into a musical family in Dublin and now based in Bern, Switzerland, Clíodhna brings together a deep classical training with her love of the living traditions of Ireland and Scotland.
Her musical journey has taken her from Dublin to Vienna, Manchester, Montréal and Zurich, where she studied with distinguished teachers and earned a Bachelor of Music from the Royal Northern College of Music, a Master of Music in Interpretation from the Université de Montréal and a Konzertdiplom with distinction from the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste.
Yet it is the music of Ireland that has become the beating heart of her artistic voice.
As the founder of The Celtic Cello, Clíodhna explores the cello as a voice within traditional music, drawing inspiration from the freedom, ornamentation and expressive phrasing of sean-nós singing. Her playing moves between tenderness and exuberance, ancient melody and contemporary expression, bringing the cello into a musical landscape where stories of love, nature, longing, belonging and the cycle of life can unfold.
Her connection to this music is deeply personal. Ireland is not only the source of the melodies she plays, but of the language, humour, landscape, sea and sense of community that have shaped her. Through music, she seeks to honour that inheritance while allowing it to breathe and evolve in the present.
Clíodhna has performed internationally and collaborated with musicians including Martin Hayes and Cormac Begley. Her three solo albums - The Celtic Cello (2018), Celtic Rituals (2021) and For the Love of Trees (2026) - have received international radio play and critical acclaim. Martin Hayes described her music as “Beautiful”, while Eugene Friesen praised its serenity and David Darling called her music “a wonderful creation.”
Her work extends beyond performance. Clíodhna has taught cello at the Musikschule Konservatorium Bern since 2004 and conducts the Orchester Divertimento Bern and the children’s string orchestra Die Tigerbande, which she co-founded in 2014. She also performs with the Bern-based string quartet Imaginary Roots.
Music, for Clíodhna, is ultimately about connection. It is a way of listening - to one another, to nature, to silence and to the stories carried within a melody. Her passion is creating connection, joy and a sense of belonging through music.
MUSIC
GALLERY
VIDEOS
All Videos
The Parting Glass by The Celtic Cello
Port na bPucaí - The Celtic Cello
Reconciliation by The Celtic Cello
Goderich Celtic Roots Virtual Festival 2021 - Robinson Emerging Artist Showcase
PRESS QUOTES/REVIEWS
Recent articles:
Irish Music Magazine August 2023
“Clíodhna Ní Aodáin is an amazing cellist and composer. Her new Album is a wonderful creation. I highly recommend this music.”
- David Darling, Grammy Award-winning cellist and composer.
“Beautiful”
- Martin Hayes, Leading Irish Fiddler
“This album exudes serenity. Straight up lovely and calming.”
- Eugene Friesen, Four-time Grammy Award-winning cellist and composer
“A stunning collection. Bowing between this world and the Otherworld, Clíodhna's cello transports us to another realm."
- Tristan Rosenstock, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
“Part of the joy of this album is the changes of moods... endlessly stimulating."
- Bernard Clarke, RTÉ lyricfm
“Irish cellist, Clíodhna Ní Aodáin’s Celtic Rituals is a collection of ancient Irish and Scottish melodies interwoven with Clíodhna’s original compositions. This haunting music is inspired by the traditions of Sean-nós singing as well as by the pulsating drive of Irish dance music."
- Gráinne McCool, Irish Music Magazine.
“Celtic Rituals reveals great expressive depth, dissolving boundaries between Irish tradition, chamber music and improvisation."