Michael Tubridy was born in 1935 in Kilrush, Co. Clare. He plays tin whistle, flute and concertina and is also a step dancer. He was a member of Ceoltoirí Chualann, led by Seán Ó Riada, and was a founder member of The Chieftains. He also played with the Castle Céilí Band. He was honoured in the dedication to him of a TG4 ’Sé mo Laoch programme in 2003, and a ‘hall of fame’ presentation by the Willie Clancy Summer School in 2008.