The original purpose of World Fiddle Day Scartaglin was to celebrate the instrument’s place in the traditional music of the area. It still is.
The area being that surrounding Scartaglin, Cordal, and Castleisland. But the event also tips the peak of the cap to those who kept the tradition alive, safe and well and in tune with those who visited, collected and preserved what they found and liked here.
It’s a Fiddle Festival
Minimalism itself in terms of committee size only, the event is a collaboration between PJ Teahan, Mick Culloty and Tomás Mac Uilleagóid since it was founded in 2013 with its run-in, monthly series, Handed Down.
“It’s a fiddle festival and any other instruments where featured over the weekend are by invitation only,” said PJ Teahan.
A Beautiful Overflowing
While the Saturday nearest to May 18th has always been the main day, there has been a beautiful overflowing of talent and tradition on both sides. More recently the Fridays and Sundays have stepped up due to demand for more space and time.
So, this year’s event is down for May 17th.18th. and 19th. and all in Scartaglin.
The clár oiffigúil / official programme is as follows:
Official opening of the 50 year anniversary of The Star above the Garter LP by Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford will be performed by Paddy Glackin at Scartaglin Heritage Centre at 8pm on Friday May 17th.
Talk on Julia Clifford
Friday at 8:30pm A concert and talk on Julia Clifford with Matt Cranitch and this will be followed by a concert with special guests: Matt Cranitch, Jackie Daly, Billy Clifford, Paddy Glackin, Máire O’Keeffe, Aoife Ní Chaoimh, Roisín O’Connor, Noeleen O’Donnell, Gerry Harrington, Melanie Murphy, Caoimhe and Eimhear Flannery.
At 10pm O’Connor’s Bar will host ‘Scéals, Tales, Stories and Rhymes’ with Raymond O’Sullivan and guests.
Enjoy the delights of the spoken word and please note this is not a singing event – singing is on Saturday at 4pm.
10pm: Opening night sessions in Fleming’s Bar and Lyons’ Bar.
World Fiddle Day Session
On Saturday May 18th at 12noon in Lyons’ Bar Opening Words and World Fiddle Day Session with John Daly and friends with a gathering of fiddles to start the day off in style.
Saturday 2pm: at Lyons’ Bar: ‘Remembering Denis Murphy with Pádraig MacMathúna with special guests: Billy Clifford, Paddy Glackin, Aidan Connolly, Connie O’Connell and Paddy Jones.
2pm: At Fleming’s Bar a session where you can expect Sliabh Luachra Music at its best.
Fiddlers Welcome Session
2pm: O’Connor’s Bar will host a Fiddlers Welcome Session which is being billed as ‘Not exclusively a Sliabh Luachra Session’ which will cater for visitors who can join this session to experience a broad range of musical influences and styles.
An Béal Beo
2.15pm Dé Satharn 18 Bealtaine,at Scartaglin Heritage Centre: Dánscoil Sliabh Luachra – An Béal Beo. Beidh Dánscoil Shliabh Luachra ag eagrú ceardlann filíochta. Béim ar filí Shliabh Luachra agus páistí ó bhunscoileanna áitiúla ag aithris agus á rá na ndán. Díospóireacht oscailte ar cúrsaí filíochta, tá an ócáid urraithe ag Gearmánach, Frank Schoenfeld ó Bheirlin fear atá an-suim aige i gcúrsaí Gaolainne.
Saturday at 15.45pm Photo and tunes for all fiddle players at the Pádraig O’Keeffe Monument where fiddlers of all ages and abilities will gather and play two sets to remember Pádraig O’Keeffe and all the other musicians who have passed away.
Memories Of Fleming’s Bar
4pm. World Fiddle Day Recital featuring ‘Memories Of Fleming’s Bar’ hosted by Eoin Stan O’ Sullivan and featuring a set of music recorded in 1995 by Máire O’Keeffe played by Scartaglin fiddle players: Dan Jeremiah and Ned O Connor and Maurice O’Keeffe with special guest musicians Paudie O’Connor and Mick Culloty.
Come All Ye Singers
4pm: A Sliabh Luachra Session which will provide a chance to hear and join with the cream of Sliabh Luachra musicians.
At 16.15pm at Scartaglin Heritage Centre Páidi Cohalan will host Come All Ye Singers a session open to all singers. Please note this is a singing only event.
8pm at Scartaglin Heritage Centre: World Fiddle Day celebrates 50 years of the Star above the Garter.
Air Players – To Be Decided
This event, featuring fiddle players from all over the world, will be hosted by Gneeveguilla fiddle player, Con Moynihan.
It is hoped that every fiddle player man, woman and child who attends this year’s event will play some part in this special concert which will see the set-list from the recording played in that order from start to finish.
The musicians who will play the slow airs will be decided beforehand.
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