Photographic exhibition on south Donegal fiddlers coming to Ballyshannon

A photographic exhibition featuring portraits of south Donegal fiddlers is coming to the Abbey Arts Centre in Ballyshannon.

The collection of photographic portraits is part of the work of Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí, the TG4 Gradam award winning group promoting the development and passing on of Donegal traditional fiddle playing.

The project is supported by The Arts Council and aims to document each living Donegal fiddler over the age of eighteen years.

While the work continues, the end result will serve as a visual marker in time capturing the community of traditional musicians practising this celebrated tradition.

Much like the pioneering work of the great Irish music collector, Francis O’Neill, this will afford future generations the opportunity in having a greater perception of the Donegal tradition bearers of today.

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The collection has been made over a number of years by Dónal Glackin, a distinguished professional photographer and videographer.

Dónal’s portrait work is well known and very highly regarded while his documentary film work, such as that exploring Iceland and the Northern Lights, has inspirational roots in Donegal.

Commenting on the approach of Glackin in amassing the collection, Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí Chairman, Aidan O’Donnell, said:

“Dónal comes from a family steeped in fiddle playing and is a fiddler himself. His portraits capture the nature and personalities of the fiddlers in a brilliant manner, but even more so was his ability to find a personality in each of their fiddles.

"Matching the fiddle portraits and its owner can be interesting and informative. Dónal Glackin is certainly a photographer of extraordinary abilities and this is clearly evident in this important collection.”

The launch of the exhibition will take place at 7pm in the Abbey Arts Centre, Ballyshannon on Friday, February 13. The exhibition will be launched by local artist and musician, Barry Sweeney.

Live music will be provided by traditional Donegal fiddlers and complimentary wine and finger food will be served.

The Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí Donegal Fiddlers’ Portrait Collection exhibition will be open from the launch on February 13 until February 28. For further information contact:info@abbeycentre.ie.