For Schedule of events & ticket sales visit www.fiddlefair.com
' Hi there Fiddle Fair fans - we are delighted to announce the line-up for our 21st anniversary festival.
We hope you agree that its pretty special:
We kick off on Thursday 9th with a candlelit concert at Dún na Séad Castle with John Carty and Arty McGlynn - John performed at a couple of Fiddle Fair's back in the bar days, once with the amazing group At The Racket and one very memorable concert with Arty in 2003. He is a truly gifted multi-instrumentalist and is accompanied by the living legend and Fiddle Fair 'Hall of Famer' Arty McGlynn.
On Friday at the Fiddle Fair Marquee we welcome back one of the world's finest exponents of Old Time fiddle music, Bruce Molsky. Bruce played at Fiddle Fair 2007 and is another multi-instrumentalist,singer and one of the most sought-after fiddle teachers in the world of folk music.
Then we are thrilled to present one of the very first Irish shows by the new 'Super Trio' The Teetotallers, Martin Hayes, Kevin Crawford and especially John Doyle have performed at many Fiddle Fairs down the years and as you can imagine this new project of theirs is exceptional.
On Saturday at 1pm in Dún na Séad we present Cork fiddler Liam Flanagan with Limerick accordion maestro Derek Hickey. Liam is the fiddle player with one of our favourite Fiddle Fair bands, North Cregg and Derek has played accordion with some of the great names if traditional Irish music (He also played fiddle here last year).
Then we move to Glebe Gardens Amphitheatre for a double bill featuring the world premiere of John Doyle, Bruce Molsky and Casey Driessen and one of the most exciting young traditional acts in the country Reel It In', 5 young guys who are proving that the future of the music is in very good hands.
On Saturday night at the marquee we present a double bill of GRAMMY nominees, first up is the astonishing talent that is Casey Driessen. We have been trying to bring this genius to the Fiddle Fair for many years and are incredibly excited to present the Irish Premier of Casey Driessen Singularity. Do not miss it!
And then we have the amazing Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole. Cedric is the leading light of the new generation of Cajun and Creole musicians out of Louisiana and is a remarkable talent - bring your dancing shoes.
On Sunday at Dún na Séad we present the fiddle duo Toner Quinn and Malachy Bourke. Fiddle duos are always a highlight of our festival and these two guys, based in County Galway play sweet sweet music.
Back up to the stunning Glebe Gardens then at 3pm for The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, Kevin Henderson form Shetland played at a couple of previous festivals, including the last ever Fiddle Fair gig in McCarthy's with his band Fiddlers Bid. Along with Olav Luksengård Mjelva from Norway and Anders Hall from Sweden, they create a very special sound.
Then we present founder member of The Frames and currently The Swell Season, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, a gifted violinist who has been touring the world for the past 20 years yet is making his Fiddle Fair Debut.
To round off proceedings we go back to the Fiddle Fair Marquee for Una Palliser and Marco Hatlak. Una is originally from Cork and spent many summer holidays in Baltimore. In 2010 she played a memorable concert here with her Slovenian band The Balkan Bears, This time around she is accompanied by the supremely talented Marco Hatlak, founder member of the critically acclaimed Slovenian rock band Terrafolk.
Then to finish our festival we are really excited to present one of the worlds best bands, Capercaille. Scotland's finest are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year and are making an all-too-rare Irish appearance. Featuring the amazing voice of Karen Matheson and stellar musicians Donald Shaw, Manus Lunny, Charlie McKerron, Ewen Vernal and Fiddle Fair King Michael McGoldrick, Capercaille have a reputation for innovation and excellence and have influenced countless other acts in Scotland and all over the world. As they celebrate 30 years in the business with a hectic schedule of concerts, we are honoured that the only Irish date is at the Baltimore Fiddle Fair. * Please note that Mike McGoldrick will not be here for this show (we can't afford him these days:) but his very able deputy is exceptional piper and whistle player from County Tyrone, Jarlath Henderson.
We told you it was pretty special, hope to see you in May. '
'PS - Thank you for the phenomenal response and support of the FiddleFair! You can further your support buy purchasing a full season pass for only €125 (a €25 savings!) and see ALL these incredible acts for one amazing price!'
