Most interviewed and quoted in the world of Irish music, Tony Mac Mahon is its least visible icon. Often criticised and dismissed, he remains its most respected and even feared ideologue.

His contribution to Irish music, both as broadcaster and as one of Ireland's most remarkable musicians, has been singular. Unimpressed by commercial glitter, he has put reclusive musicians, storytellers, street-singers and wayward poets centre-stage in each of his five pioneering radio & tv productions for Radio Telefís Éireann - often working behind the scenes to reinstate the lonely musician, estranged from his art by the pain of existence.

It was at his desk in RTÉ that The Bothy Band originated, during production of his first radio series The Long Note. He has played and worked with Seamus Ennis, Tommy Potts, Willie Clancy and Séan Ó Riada.

His music is marked by unerring taste: it is both respectful and intuitive, broadening the parameters of his instrument to reveal depths of passion and power. Some say his music has a call, a draoicht - which has moved more than one listener to tears.

There isn't another musician like