Liam Ó Maonlaí

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Liam Ó Maonlaí (born 7 November 1964 in Monkstown, Dublin) is an Irish musician best known for leading Hothouse Flowers, a band he formed in 1985 with his schoolmate Fiachna Ó Braonáin. He studied at Scoil Lorcáin in Monkstown and Coláiste Eoin, a Gaelscoil on Dublin’s south side. His father inspired his love of the Irish language, and Liam is fluent in Irish. He won an under-18 All-Ireland award for bodhrán, a traditional Irish drum.

Earlier he formed The Complex with Kevin Shields and Colm Ó Cíosóig; he left to start Hothouse Flowers in 1984. Shields and Ó Cíosóig later joined Dave Conway and a musician named Tina to form My Bloody Valentine.

Liam has supported the Nuclear Free Future movement, hosting events in Carnsore and Wexford Town in 2001. In 2004 he released a solo album, Rían, featuring tunes and songs in Irish. He performed at the 2009 Dublin to Gaza benefit concert. The 2008 documentary Dambé: The Mali Project covers his 3,000-mile cross-cultural musical journey with Paddy Keenan and friends, including performances from the Festival au Désert.