From Lucan, County Dublin, Finóla began playing music at the age of five, starting with classical violin. She completed all eight grades with the Associated Board of Music, but it was at a summer school in traditional Irish fiddle at the age of nine that sparked a new musical passion. On returning home, she began fiddle lessons at Áras Chrónáin in Clondalkin and soon after joined Craobh Bheartla Uí Fhlatharta in Leixlip, where she met many of the musicians she still plays with today.
Finóla honed her classical playing through her time with the Dublin Youth Orchestra and the Dublin Symphony Orchestra, performing major works and touring across Europe. Alongside this, she continued to nurture her love of traditional Irish music, developing her style through years of playing with Grúpaí Ceoil and Céilí Bands in the Leixlip branch, and attending music festivals and summer schools around the country.
Finóla holds an honours Bachelor of Music degree from University College Dublin, where she deepened her understanding of music theory, performance, and history. She later went on to complete a Master’s in Traditional Irish Music and Dance at the Irish World Academy of Music, University of Limerick—an experience that further enriched her connection to the tradition and allowed her to explore performance at an advanced level. Although Finóla now works in the tech industry by day, music continues to be central to her life, identity, and creative expression.
In addition to performing, Finóla has spent many years teaching, both in schools and through Comhaltas branches, passing on the tradition of Irish music to the next generation. Her dedication to teaching reflects a deep belief in the importance of sharing and preserving the music she grew up with.
