Matt Molloy of The Chieftans is not quite as well-travelled as his famous flute

The Chieftains’ Matt Molloy talks to Eoin Edwards about some of his and his instrument’s epic journeys

THE automated response on Matt Molloy’s mobile phone is one you could listen to all day — a packed pub, the sound of glass clinking, live traditional music being belted out... and then the gentle voice of one of Ireland’s greatest flute players and long-time member of The Chieftains.

Molloy, who will be in Cork on Friday for the sixth annual Ballincollig Winter Music Festival, is also preparing for a two month tour of America in February and March.