A Night of Music, Healing and Hope in Rostrevor

One of the most distinctive events at Rostrevor's Fiddler's Green Festival returns this July, drawing on more than thirty years of music, dialogue and reconciliation. The Music of Healing has become a landmark occasion that connects artists, audiences and peacemakers in a way few events can match.

Inspired by the song written by Tommy Sands and the late Pete Seeger, the evening is built around the belief that the arts can heal divisions, honour human experience and foster genuine understanding between people of different political, cultural and religious backgrounds. Each year, Tommy Sands welcomes musicians, artists and special guests for an event that encourages deep listening and honest conversation.

This year's programme takes place on Thursday 16 July 2026 at An Cuan in Rostrevor and consists of two distinct sessions. It opens with an afternoon session at 2:30pm. Entitled "Ancient Songs and Dealings of Sorrow," the prelude event brings voices from medical science, religion and music together to explore how the arts help people navigate grief and mourning in different cultures. The discussion draws on the ancient Irish harpers' triad of goltrai (sorrow), geantrai (joy) and suantrai (sleep), alongside Scottish pibroch, Saxon traditions and American Delta Blues.

The main evening event begins at 8:00pm, with doors opening at 7:30pm. True to long-standing tradition, not all guests are announced in advance, a practice that originated during the Troubles and which continues to give the night a sense of mystery and anticipation.

A central moment of the evening will be a conversation between Jo Berry and Pat Magee, whose lives became forever linked through the 1984 Brighton hotel bombing. Their 24-year journey of dialogue and forgiveness has inspired audiences around the world.

Also performing on the night are Clemens Bittlinger, a singing pastor from Germany; Bróna McVittie, a local harpist; Pipe Major David Hanna MBE; Bruce Victor, a practicing psychiatrist and guitarist; and Na Leanaí, the local folk group.

The evening will also see the presentation of the Creative Arts Award, which recognises distinguished contributions to the arts, literature and culture. The bronze sculpture was created by Irish artist Carolyn Mulholland and was first presented to Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney in 2000. The identity of this year's recipient will remain a secret until the moment of presentation on stage.

The event is organised by Rostrevor-based non-profit Arts a Wonder and is supported by PEACEPLUS. The team has recently returned from a residency in the United States, where they explored the connection between music and well-being at Harvard Medical School and the Kennedy School of Leadership, sharing lessons from Ireland's peace process with communities there.

Tickets are priced at £15.00 and are available now on the official Fiddler's Green Festival website at fiddlersgreenfestival.com