Joe O Donaill grew up on Arainn Mhor (Aran Island) in Donegal. He is an experienced educator and the priomhoide (principal) of Gaelscoil Mide in Dublin.
Joe is well known as the singing partner of Ray Mac Manais. Together they've won countless competitions in luibini and agallaimh bheirte. Oireachtas na Gaeilge honored them with a lifetime achievement award for their contribution to the preservation and promotion of this traditional Irish-language art form.
Joe emcees the sean-nos dancing competitions at the Oireachtas na Gaeilge, broadcast each fall on TG4. One of Joe's songs, Amhran an Ghaeilgeora Bhig no Amhran Chian, is featured in the collection Leabhar Nua na namhran.