The Fiddler's Green International Festival is an annual folk music and cultural festival held in Rostrevor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Established in 1987, the festival has become one of the longest-running and most respected folk festivals on the island of Ireland. It typically takes place over the course of a week in late July.
Overview The festival features a wide variety of events including concerts, workshops, art exhibitions, storytelling sessions, poetry readings, céilís, and outdoor performances. Programming ranges from traditional Irish music to contemporary folk and world music, with performances taking place in venues throughout Rostrevor, including churches, schools, pubs, An Cuan, and open-air stages. In addition to music, the festival places a strong emphasis on community involvement, culture, and the arts. Family-friendly activities and events for all ages are a core part of the festival ethos. Fiddler's Green has become a major cultural event in the calendar of Rostrevor and the surrounding area, drawing thousands of visitors annually.
Signature events of the festival include an open-air performance in the Fiddler's Green meadow in Kilbroney Park, the "20 Singers, 20 Songs" variety show, the nightly Festival Folk Club in St. Bronagh’s Social Club, and the "Music of Healing" event curated by Tommy Sands featuring music and dialogue among guest speakers with diverse political and religious views.
History The festival was founded in 1987 by a group of local musicians and community members who wanted to celebrate the region's rich folk traditions and the musical heritage of Rostrevor. Named after the mythical “Fiddler’s Green,” a sailor’s paradise of eternal music and merriment, the festival was inspired by the spirit of traditional Irish music and the storytelling culture of the Mourne region. Over the years, the festival has grown significantly in scale. It has hosted prominent local and international artists, as well as serving as a platform for emerging local talent.
Notable artists and contributors Local singer-songwriter Tommy Sands, known for his music and peace activism, has been a recurring presence and a key figure in the festival's development alongside other members of his family band, The Sands Family. The festival has welcomed a range of celebrated artists over the years, including musicians such as Sean McGuire, Tommy Makem, The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, De Dannan, Paul Brady, Clannad, Seán Keane, Dana, and Cara Dillon, as well as other creators such as the poet Seamus Heaney and Irish language advocate Linda Ervine.
Annual awards The festival presents two annual awards. The Fiddler's Green Festival Hall of Fame Award is awarded to "an individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution to Irish Music and Tradition". The Fiddler’s Green Festival Creative Arts Award "acknowledges achievement in the Arts & Literacy field".
+ Fiddler's Green Festival Hall of Fame Award Recipients Year Recipient 1987 Seán Maguire 1988 David Hammond 1989 Tommy Makem 1990 Joe Burke 1991 Mick Moloney 1992 Moya Brennan 1993 Liam O'Flynn 1994 The Clancy Brothers & Robbie O'Connell 1995 Dolores Keane 1996 The Dubliners 1997 De Dannan 1998 Altan 1999 Finbar Furey 2000 The Sands Family 2001 Andy Irvine 2002 Ronnie Drew 2003 Boys of the Lough 2004 Paddy Moloney 2005 Dónal Lunny 2006 Cathal Hayden 2007 Sweeney's Men; The McPeakes 2008 Mary Black 2009 Máirtín O'Connor 2010 Matt Molloy 2011 Paddy Glackin 2012 The MacConnell Brothers 2013 Sharon Shannon 2014 Joanie Madden & Cherish the Ladies 2015 Steve Cooney & Séamus Begley 2016 Brian & Eithne Vallely 2017 Martin Hayes 2018 Na Píobairí Uilleann 2019 Clannad 2022 Flook 2023 Dervish 2024 Paul Brady 2025 Seán Keane 2026 Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh + Fiddler's Green Festival Creative Arts Award Recipients Year Recipient 2000 Seamus Heaney 2001 John B. Vallely 2002 Tony McAuley 2003 Liam Clancy 2004 Tom Newman 2005 Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin 2006 Ralph McTell 2007 Steve Cooney 2008 Pete Seeger 2009 Suibhan O’Dubhain 2010 Tom Paxton 2011 Liam Ó Maonlaí 2012 John Sheahan 2013 Bill Whelan 2014 Martin Lynch 2015 The Quiet Meadow Makers 2016 Mickey MacConnell 2017 Shay Healy 2018 Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin 2019 Peggy Seeger 2022 Iarla Ó Lionáird 2023 Archie Fisher 2024 Linda Ervine 2025 Pat Jennings 2026 Luka Bloom
References
External links Official website