A Little History

It is with the greatest pleasure that after a lapse of eleven years before 2023, we welcome back Féile Oriel and the prestigious Fiddler of Oriel Competition.

The first Féile Oriel was in 1969 following in the footsteps of the Fiddler of Dooney in Sligo 1965.

This is the third revival of the festival. It was Elizabeth McGuinness (Mad About Monaghan) and Colm Herron who brought back the first revival in 1995. That weekend in May 1995 saw Monaghan Town buzzing with over 20 simultaneous acts on the go over the 3 days. Galway's finest Liz Kane was the adult recipient of the Fiddler Of Oriel prize in 1995. The festival then continued for the next 2 years with Brendan Ó’Dufaigh at the helm.

In 2009, the celebrated uilleann piper Tiarnan Dinkin, along with Elizabeth's brother Charlie took up the reigns once more and 4 fantastic annual féilí were held until 2012. 

2023 saw the invigorated, much anticipated return of the Fiddler of Oriel and Féile Oriel. It is an absolute honour and delight to be affiliated with the Fiddler of London. Eilish Byrne and her team have made the FOL an international success story and have established an event with a truly global reach. 

Over the course of the festival's history many of Ireland’s finest fiddlers descended on Monaghan town in hope of attaining the coveted "Fiddler of Oriel". All of the winners and many other competitors each brought with them a deep commitment to their art and to the Irish music tradition.

See our previous winners pictured below…