Best Celtic mandolin players?

[Maunus]

Declan Corey is my favorite player all time. Andy Irvine's playing is amazing too, but more melodious, whereas Corey's is extremely energetic and rhythmical which I like.

[Jock]

Iain MacLeod, not saying he's the best but if there were a list, his name should be on it.

[Mike Anderson]

I'll chime in and say, absolutely with no qualifications whatsoever, that my favourite Celtic mandolin player is Kevin MacLeod. I have all his albums now, and they are a truly beautiful and inspiring body of work. From the little contact I've had with him I expect this will probably embarrass him, but I pride myself on a great set of ears and a powerful sense of what is genuine and heartfelt, and Kevin is the real deal in every possible respect.

[Maunus]

I forgot to mention Paul Kelly, I never get tired of listening to his "Mandolin album".

[Sprinklepete]

Andy Irvine for me has it all, in the way he sings and plays. Apart from his bouzouki and mandolin playing, he is a wonderful singer. At the side of Donal Lunny and Lian O'Flynn, there's not much better.

[Gan Ainm]

I (like the last poster) am rather late to this thread and I agree whole heartedly with the previous choices of greats, but I couldn't but help remind us of two Americans (in addition to Marla) who have put their own stylistic spin on beautifully executed Celtic music, Paul Kotapish and the late great John McGann.

[Tim Griffin]

Eamon O'Leary is a fine player but seen mostly on bouzouki or mandola.

[mgap]

Brian Mullins from the band Colcannon. Plays many stringed instruments but started out playing guitar and mandolin for the band, and has added many others.
http://colcannon.com/brian-mullins

[tirvaluk]

I see Simon Mayor mentioned above. He is without doubt a fantastic mandolin player but I wouldn't call him Celtic. His Celtic Mandolin album is good but he doesn't have a Celtic feel in his music. Ian Mcleod formerly of the band Shooglenifty is a great Celtic mandolin player.

[kmmando]

Ian MacLeod is a superb mandolinist, groovy as feck!

[Mike Anderson]

Ian MacLeod is a superb mandolinist, groovy as feck!

I'll double that - in 1995 when I first heard "The Tammienorrie" from Shooglenifty's first album, that one that ends with "Reel des Voyageurs", it was one of those prime musical moments. Absolutely stunning.