Made In Donegal

The Donegal Tradition - Music is the lifeblood of the North-West of Ireland, a corner of the globe rich in landscape and legend: above all others, its fiddlers are renowned worldwide for their unique playing skills, a style and a sound that continues to evolve to this very day. The Donegal fiddle tradition can be traced back at least two hundred years – its roots stretch back further still – and its sound can be easily distinguished by its unique ornamentation (the use of a short bow, for example) and rapid pace, creating music as bold and idiosyncratic as Donegal itself.

The region has produced generation after generation of formidable and iconic players, from all-time greats such as Johnny Doherty, James Byrne and Francie Mooney to a broad array of modern players of note, from Vincent Campbell and Liz Doherty to an array of exciting bands ranging from Altan to The Henry Girls. Organisations such as Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí and Comhaltas work tirelessly to preserve the music of the past while ensuring the rude health of its future, encouraging young players to take up the mantel. Donegal plays host to any number of high-profile musical events celebrating The Donegal Tradition, notably the Earagail Festival, which in 2010 hosted a two-day international symposium exploring the past, present and future of this glorious, thriving sound.

This year, the 23rd Earagail Arts Festival will present a variety of Donegal artists in specially commissioned shows from internationally recognised stars such as T with The Maggies - Triona Ní Dhomhnaill, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Moya Brennan, to award winning young players as Fidil and Doimnic MacGiolla Bhríde who will present new collbaorations with artists from across the globe.