CCE Sligo Town Branch is again joining with Sligo Live festival to host the Fiddler of Dooney Competition over the October Bank Holiday weekend. The competition is a part of an exciting weekend of concerts, workshops, sessions and master classes. Matt Cranitch, Cathal Hayden, Liz Kane, Paddy Glacken, Antoin MacGabhann, Brenda McCann, Seamus McGuire, Brid Harper, Manus McGuire, Tara Breen, and Laura Beegan, are all former ‘Fiddlers of Dooney’; winners of the Sligo fiddle competition rated by many as second only to the All Ireland.

“The Fiddler of Dooney” was inaugurated in 1965, inspired by the W B Yeats poem of the same name. Over the years the winners read like a who’s who of traditional fiddling. Last year’s winner was Bronwyn Power, an outstanding young musician from County Clare, and entries are expected from all over the country again this year. Music lovers, competitors and their families are promised a brilliant weekend of music and hospitality in Sligo. The timing is excellent as the bank holiday weekend is the beginning of the school mid-term break. Full information and an entry form is provided below (donwload the form) or on Sligo Town Branch’s website: www.comhaltas.ie/locations/details/sligo_town/ .

Now in its fifth year, Sligo Live presents an innovative programme of traditional and contemporary, Irish and International music concerts featuring major Irish and International Artists will take place on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Afternoon and evening sessions will feature some of the country’s most exciting musicians and competitors are welcome to participate. The festival club will continue into the night for the totally committed! Workshops will complement the competition on the Saturday of the Holiday Weekend. Check it all out on www.sligolive.ie.

Sligo Live also features street events and fun activities for all the family including the French Market, Street Theatre, Comedy, Magic, Juggling, more music and fun. Even those who can’t play, but can do a pretty good impression, have the hilarious ‘All Ireland Air Fiddle Championships’ Described “as the traditional take on ‘Air Guitar’.

Download the Fiddler of Dooney Competition Form

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the form. Download it here.