Talented Donegal fiddlers to share a stage with Canadian stars at Glenties concert

Talented Donegal fiddlers will share a stage in Glenties next Saturday night with three big names in international fiddle-playing.

Éabha McGuinness from Killybegs and Brandon Shovelin from Dunkineely are taking part in the centrepiece concert in the Highlands Hotel on October 4 for the 43rd annual Donegal Fiddle Weekend, organised by Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí. 

Two of Canada’s leading players are flying in specially for the weekend and the concert - Troy MacGillivray and Andrea Beaton, both associated with Cape Breton island in Nova Scotia on the east coast.

Also on the bill is Ciarán Ó Maonaigh from Gaoth Dobhair, regarded as one of the finest Irish fiddlers of his generation. Ciarán, a former TG4 Young Musician of the Year, has recently released a solo CD, ‘Caillte sa Cheol/ Lost in the Music’.

The concert on Saturday starts at 9pm. Rab Cherry of Cairdeas said that Donegal fiddle organisation Cairdeas is delighted to give Éabha and Brandon an opportunity to shine in top-class fiddle company.

“They’re both fine fiddlers who have the potential to develop even further, so it's great to have them in the company of the likes of Troy, Andrea and Ciarán,” said Rab.

Both Éabha and Brandon are building up a profile on the traditional music scene. 

Éabha is on the BA Honours Irish Music course at the University of Limerick. Last month she presented her own programme on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, and in April she featured on RTÉ Radio 1’s ‘Céilí House’.

Éabha McGuinness, fiddle player from Killybegs

Brandon Shovelin is already well-known on the session scene in Donegal. He’s the current under-18 Donegal fiddle champion. 

The Donegal Fiddle Weekend brings in fiddlers and music lovers from across Donegal and far beyond. As well as the Saturday concert, there are fiddle classes on the Saturday and Sunday mornings, 11am to 12:30pm, catering from beginners up. Anyone who would like to take part is asked to arrive by 10:30am on Saturday so the various levels can be organised. The fee for both classes is €15. There will also be informal sessions throughout the weekend.

Troy MacGillivray and Andrea Beaton are among the top names in Cape Breton fiddling, and have each released acclaimed solo recordings.

During their visit they will give a talk on Cape Breton fiddling in the Highlands Hotel on the Saturday from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, admission free. They’ll also teach an advanced fiddle class there afterwards, from 2.30pm - 4pm (€15).

READ NEXT: Author and Orwell Prize winner Donal Ryan to be interviewed at Allingham Festival

Anyone who’d like more information on the 2025 Donegal Fiddle Weekend can contact Rab Cherry on 086 340 9019 or email donegalfiddlemusic@gmail.com

.