Paudie O Connor is an accordion player from Sliabh Luachra, Co. Kerry. His playing follows in the traditions of Sliabh Luachra, with his influences ranging from the bowing of Padraig O 'Keeffe and Denis Murphy to the time spent in his youth playing with local box players Johnny O Leary, Jimmy Doyle and John Brosnan. In 2005 he launched a landmark recording of Sliabh Luachra music entitled ‘Different State’ which featured in the best of 2005 lists of both The Irish Times and The Irish Echo (U.S.A). Paudie’s music also featured on the album The County Bounds, a 1999 Ossian records production featuring a compilation of music from the Cork-Kerry border including contributions from Johnny O'Leary, Jackie Daly and Peadar Ó Riada.

On Different State, his wife Aoife Ní Chaoimh, a fiddle player from Tralee, Co. Kerry, joins Paudie. She plays a style very much in sync with the Sliabh Luachra tradition and contributes much to the unique settings and rhythm that typifies their duet playing. She has been featured on numerous TV and radio programmes including The Liberty Hall Late Session (RTÉ) and Geantraí (TG4).

Paudie is a regular contributor to traditional music festivals, workshops and lectures at home and abroad. In October 2010 Paudie performed in the music ensemble as part of Rough Magic’s production of Phaedra for the Dublin Theatre Festival and in 2011 presented an episode of Geantraí featuring many of the musicians currently playing in Sliabh Luachra.

In December 2014, Paudie and Aoife launched Didn't She Dance and Dance, an album of dance tunes from Sliabh Luachra. They are joined on this recording by Paul De Grae on guitar. The album has received critical acclaim and presents what will become "a staple set of tunes for students, dancers and lovers of the Rushy Glen’s rich musical tapestry" for many years to come.The Irish Times, January 2015.

The Irish Times review of Didn't She Dance and Dance may read by clicking here