Leading players gearing up for fourth annual Dunkineely Fiddle Weekend

Several of Donegal’s leading fiddle players are expected for the fourth annual Dunkineely fiddle weekend, which starts on Friday week, October 31, and will feature workshops, a concert and informal pub sessions.

The fiddle weekend is organised by the Donegal fiddle organisation Cairdeas na bhFidiliéirí. The line-up at the concert on Saturday night week, November 1, will include Inishowen fiddler Melanie Houton. Melanie, who lives in Belfast, is originally from Portaleen in the Glengad area, not far from Malin Head. She is a former winner of the prestigious senior fiddle title at the Oireachtas.

Also on the concert programme is Martin McGinley, well-known locally from his time running the Sail Inn bar in Killybegs some years ago. Martin, now living in Ramelton, was back in Dunkineely over a weekend in May for the visit of a fiddle group from Glasgow.

Young fiddlers from the local Kevin O’Donnell School of Traditional School will feature in the concert, which takes place in the Dunkineely Community Centre on Saturday week at 8pm. Admission €10. The O’Donnell School is one of the most significant organisations in traditional music in Donegal and has been developing some highly talented musicians.

Melanie Houton and Martin McGinley will be among the teachers at the fiddle workshops in the Community Centre on Saturday. Another teacher on the day will be local man Aidan O’Donnell, who’s now managing Music Generation in Tipperary. Aidan is a former winner of TG4 Young Traditional Music of the Year and is a member of celebrated Donegal fiddle trio Fidil.

All levels are welcome at the workshops, with registration at 10am. The workshops run from 10.30am to 4pm, with a break for lunch. The fee is €15. Booking in advance is advised, at donegalfiddlemusic@gmail.ie or by phoning Rab on 086 340 9019.

The weekend programme also includes informal pub sessions in McIntyre’s on Friday and Saturday nights.

Rab Cherry of Cairdeas said fiddlers and fiddle fans in the area are looking forward to the weekend. “Kevin O'Donnell is doing a marvellous job of encouraging young people in this part of south Donegal to take an interest in traditional music and fiddling. Some great young players are coming through as a result.

“The workshops on Saturday at Dunkineely are a chance for people learning the fiddle from all areas to come along and pick up tunes and tips. Cairdeas has been delighted to see the turnout in previous years and we hope that continues in 2025.”