Top Ten “Living” Whistlers… who are they?
don’t be hesitant to throw yourself in… that is, if ya think you are that good. 
Any of this sort rankings is nonsensical, even if anybody would know all whistlers to make the selection and then manage criteria to rank them.
Any list of ones I gladly listen to would include Seán Potts, Seán McKiernan, Roisín Ni Donncha, Geraldine Cotter, Bríd O Donohue, Ita Crehan but there would be many more, anyone who can genuinely make a tune shine in fact. Without the need to find the ‘best’, whatever that means.
Thank you Mr.G (as always), I get the nonsensical part, that’s why I didn’t choose a poll format, and if someone doesn’t know all the best whistlers, they couldn’t list them. Top ten list would only be including what one does know by their experience. I can see mine varies considerably from yours already 
Perhaps I need some refinement 
I can discern from the people that respond here to list, as to what I might listen to, add/subtract. I don’t mean eliminate entirely, as just moving name out of top ten for me, for now. I could later seek names by other qualities, styles, regions, etc.
Just take the few I mentioned as a fairly random selection of people that made me think ‘that’s just lovely’ about something in their playing. Just a few that came into my head, as I said there would be others as well. Heard Mary Bergin play with her daughter Ailbhe recently, that was lovely too. The question also made me realise once more how many of the players I listened too are now gone.
I’d be interested in who Mary Bergin, Joanie Madden, or anyone else thought their top ten is. I guess I could have just gone to forum whistle recording sticky and gone with that, maybe pick ten or so, but, I’m just curious from whistlers here… who picks what. And perhaps I should have narrowed the subject line to include living ITM whistlers, knowing full well that there are many other styles of whistling.
As for the deceased whistlers, their tunes do in fact… carry on… Trad, but, that’s another thread
See, now to me, that’s interesting.
oh, I thought you would’ve included your top ten
Nice try, but I’m strapped for cash right now, bud. 
well now, you’re obviously not the one tapping the washer woman’s till…
to lessen the cash burden, you could drop ten sets initials, just a hint 
nothing definitive
Well, okay, then. First the disclaimer: Having bass-ackwardly started out on flute myself, I haven’t really thought of a Nano’s Personal Fave Whistlers’ Top Ten - I don’t know if I can name that many, and in any case I’m sure to omit someone, so the best I can do is what first comes to mind today; tomorrow’s list might change some. There are so many really good whistlers to pick from, and each for their own special characteristics, after all. So, let’s see what comes to mind:
(In no particular order)
The usuals, M. Bergin and J. Madden; Willie Clancy (okay, not living, but he’s always on my list, so there you go); Mick O’Brien, Larry Nugent, Brid O’Donoghue, Julie Fowlis; our very own MTGuru; and a couple of folks in my own stomping grounds who I probably had best not name, just to stay on everyone’s good side (Hint: I’m not one of 'em).
Yeah, sure, that’s ten.
Well now, finally a bit of progress… for this untrained ear 
similarly put by Mr G, and quite understandable, as well my own palate may change daily… with a little enlightenment 
yes, and I should’ve clarified in OP that I didn’t mean to “rank” ten living whistlers, but, to just name them based on one’s experience from them (I wasn’t looking for a list of whistler names from an index, no word of mouth ref, but, from your hearing them play, and preferably from ITM, rather than other whistling. Further, I do recognize the difference between actually hearing whistler in their presence vs. CDs, YouTube, etc., for now, that’s a different post.
well not to suck up, but I would’ve started with MTGuru (from only his clips) on that Blackbird. First experience listening closely. Really closely. Repeatedly. JF must’ve tweaked that bird extra sweet in order to tweet like that! Full disclosure is I had heard plenty of whistlers in the past, but, that was passively hearing tunes, and no interest in the whistle back then. Times change.
Moving on, yes, M. Bergin and J. Madden, however, I would place Noreen O’Sullivan (new Chiffer) right in alongside B & M. For me (for now IME). In fact if you want to see side-by-side refer: write-up from TREOIR Vol. 44, No. 2, 2012 (Iris Oifigiúil Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann), p.3 corner photo. It’s the current issue. I’m wearing Noreen’s CD out and have purchased additional copies. Willie Clancy I had only recently heard the name because of the Festival. I had to look him up in The Companion as I had to look up most of Mr G’s names as well, which I think is just my newbie status and perhaps our location difference for lack of my experience. However, I have begun to research.
Moreover, I never heard of Mick O’Brien, Larry Nugent, nor Brid O’Donoghue. I am sorry if this offends anyone, I’m a newbie 
Now Julie Fowlis, I can agree with her onboard, you must’ve been Brave to mention her. And a voice as well along with that whistling, whahooo.
So far, that’s what I have for me, I have a long list of names that could float in, but, I am waiting if anyone else would care to share. Chasing that ITM “shared” aesthetic that Mr G mentioned in another thread so I can learn to train my ear for better play.
Willie Clancy would be top of my list, for liveliness, mischief, humour and sheer inventiveness. Seán McKiernan has the same liveliness (not surprising considering his closeness to Willie and his music). JC Talty was another whistleplayer close to Willie and a lovely subtle player he was. Michael Dwyer had his moments too and I think you can hear some of his playing shining through in Mary Bergin’s. But there are so many great players, dead or living, welknown or just playing in their own locality, it all defies listings and overly focussing on the few ‘famous’ ones can be quite limiting (although, obviously, you have to start somewhere I suppose).
Again, Bro Steve’s transcription page has a few nice examples.
Fine qualities at that, and that’s what I’m looking for, traits, styles (even if deceased, I know there is a wealth of historical names for my education, later).
I didn’t want to fumble around with a hundred names or more, so I tried to narrow it a bit, ten, maybe should’ve of been five, and really focus on them until well understood. I find listening to newbie clips detrimental to my development, however, I do know some people can learn from that path as well.
Yes, that website is a treasure trove ITM
Maybe what I am saying is that you shouldn’t get too obsessed with names and serious study, allow a bit of serendipity and take your music where you find it. You may be surprised.
Larry Nugent I would definitely include. I still remember hearing him at a festival about ten years ago as a member of Aoife Clancy’s band. He did a few solo turns. His rendition of Si Beag Si Mor on (I think) a Bb whistle is still one of the best live performances of anything I’ve ever heard.
And, yes, Julie Fowlis. I hadn’t thought of her mostly because I consider her my favorite singer first. But the whistle tunes on her CDs are always memorable.
That goes for her friend Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh as well.
Yes, Mary Bergin, yes, yes, yes.
I’d have trouble coming up with ten, though.
I can’t listen to Mary Bergin without my feet wanting to move. Love her rhythm and phrasing.
Joanie Madden’s style is great too. Can’t describe what it is about her playing that makes me like it so much.
Brian Finnegan does some cool jazzy stuff. Irish fusion maybe?
Paddy Moloney is the king of twiddly bits! I don’t know, there’s something about how he uses ornamentation that is very rhythmic. Probably didn’t describe that well either.
Andrea Corr…
@ Mr G, the four tunes are nice, while the second two are what I like for comparative reasons. Often I’ll choose not to listen nor attempt to play a tune (for whatever reason), but, a varation may change that. Thank you.
@ Brus, well now I have to look into Larry Nugent and thank you and Nano for that name. Yes, Julie Fowlis, I had heard her singing before I heard her whistling, sweet either way. Thanks for confirming Julie and you must be Brave too.
@ Mr Ed, yes, Mary Bergin and Joanie Madden are easy names to include. There was mention here on the forum not too long ago about Mary Bergin coming out with a tutoral in May 2012? Its August 2012 anyone heard anything about the tutorial?
Keep’em coming
My knowledge of whistling, and players, is limited so they’ll all be easy from me.
Searched…and searched and couldn’t find the Mary Bergin Tutorial.