Write a commentWhat an achievement! One of the districts most popular and most enduring festivals Fiddlers Green International Festival is celebrating it's 30th anniversary this year and the week long celebration begins tomorrow Sunday 24th July in beautiful Rostrevor.
The longest running festival of its kind throughout Ireland, “the Fiddlers”, while having top quality folk music as its core, provides a comprehensive programme of events designed to appeal to all ages and to cater for all cultural tastes.
FESTIVAL FOLK CLUB AND HALL OF FAME
St Bronagh’s Social Club, the venue for the Festival Folk Club, will this year see a series of concerts featuring singers and musicians of the very highest calibre.
Monday 25th July LUKA BLOOM
One of the most talented and thoughtful singer/songwriters of his generation and a guitarist of consummate skill.
Tuesday 26th July THE CASEY SISTERS
Nollaig, Maire and Mairead present their bewitching mixture of tunes, airs and songs with panache and grace.
Wednesday 27th July LYNCHED
Street ballads delivered with energy and commitment by Dublin’s own “folk miscreants”
Friday 29th July HALL OF FAME AWARD
This year’s recipients of this coveted award are BRIAN & EITHNE VALLELY, the founders and driving forces behind the world renowned ARMAGH PIPERS CLUB.
With Brian and Eithne Vallely receiving this year’s Hall of Fame award, it is highly appropriate that one of their most talented protégés (and son) Cillian brings his band Lunasa to headline the 2016 Hall of Fame concert.
Described by the New York Times as “the best traditional band on the planet”, this multi talented quintet produce a powerful blend of verve and musicality.
Saturday 30th July CATHAL HAYDEN & MAIRTIN O’CONNOR and FOUR MEN AND A DOG
A superb double header! We welcome back two previous Hall of Fame winners, the virtuosi Cathal Hayden and Mairtin O’Connor and, celebrating 25 years on the road, the irrepressible Four Men and a Dog.
Sunday 31st July THE SANDS FAMILY
The festival folk club comes to its traditional close with Co. Down’s own musical ambassadors to the world, The Sands Family.
THE MUSIC OF HEALING and CREATIVE ARTS AWARD
Presented by Tommy Sands in the beautiful setting of An Cuan, The Music of Healing is a presentation of songs, music and verse in a more reflective vein. During the evening, the Creative Arts Award, which is awarded annually to someone who has excelled in a particular area of the Arts ( the late, great Seamus Heaney was the first recipient of the Award in the year 2000) will this year be given to Mickey MacConnell, raconteur and songwriter supreme, Mickey’s “Only Our Rivers Run Free” is an acknowledged modern classic, and many of his humorous and satirical songs feature prominently at singing sessions in Ireland and beyond.
FREE ENTERTAINMENT IN THE SQUARE
Free open air concerts will take place throughout the week on the outdoor stage in The Square. Presenting an eclectic mix of folk, funk, blues, jazz, reggae and soul, there is something for everyone here. Look out for the WILSON MAGWERE BAND and the NI SOUL TROUP.
The ever popular Ceilis will attract diehard dancers from all over Co. Down and further afield.
LUNCHTIME FOLK CLUB and CEILI HOUSE
The Lunchtime Folk Club features accomplished performers in a relaxed, intimate venue and each day is followed by the Ceili House where the shy (and not so shy) can sing a song, play a tune or add a poem or recitation to the overall festival vibe.
THE ACOUSTIC STAGE
Performances by established and aspiring artists will feature each afternoon in the wonderfully atmospheric setting of An Cuan.
FIDDLER’S GREEN SCHOOL OF MUSIC
A new inclusion this year; instrumental workshops each morning from 10am-12noon and among the highly respected tutors are Donal O’Connor (fiddle), Padraig McGovern (uilleann pipes), Martin Quinn (accordion) and Lorraine O’Brien (concertina).
THROUGHOUT THE WEEK
A full programme of events for children, Art and Photographic exhibitions, sessions, tours and guided walks, the hugely popular Literary Pub Crawl, Duck Derby and much, much more.
Further information: www.fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk Tel. 07895986616. Email: info@fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk
