Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fiddler-of-oriel-the-elders-of-fiddling-tickets-852224134327

The Mullan Fiddle of Oriel is the centre-piece of the weekend events. This fiddle competition which started in 1969 has seen three revivals. We look forward to celebrating the cream of Irish trad fiddling among our young people at this event.

The Comhaltas Elders of Fiddling Awards has attracted much interest and great acclaim since its inauguration at Feile Oriel 2023. We welcome the six recipients to Monaghan to celebrate their life time achievements as gatekeepers of the Irish fiddle tradition.

Capercaillie

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/capercaillie-40-years-celebration-launch-tickets-850741860807

Feile Oriel are over the moon to have Capercaillie choose Monaghan as thier first concert in their forty year celebration tour. Having been part of Feile Oriel 2023 Donald Shaw was imensely impressed by this Monaghan fiddle festival and was delighted to return with Capercaillie to headline the festival. Capercaillie have never played a trad fest in the Republic of Ireland before only appearing once many years ago in National concert hall.

We expect this to be a sellout event. Tickets will go on sale end of Febuary. Follow our social medias for updates!

Capercaillie is a Scottish folk band, founded in 1984 by Donald Shaw and led by Karen Matheson, and which performs traditional Gaelic and contemporary songs in English. The group adapts traditional Gaelic music and traditional lyrics with modern production techniques and instruments such as electric guitar and bass guitar, though rarely synthesizers or drum machines. Capercaillie demonstrate "astonishing musical dexterity" and feature "the peerless voice of co-founder Karen Matheson. Universally recognised as one of the finest Gaelic singers alive today".

Despite their roots in traditional Scottish music, Capercaillie have explored musical terrains from electronica and sampling to jazz and global music influences. Later this year they will have full realised thir dream of creating full symphonic arrangements for their music.. an apt and rewarding moment for their 40th anniversary year. They have sold over a million albums world-wide, including "three silver and one gold album in the UK". The BBC notes that the band has "achieved enormous global success both as a group and as individual musicians."

Karen Matheson, Charlie McKerron, Michael McGoldrick, Manus Lunny, Donald Shaw, Ewen Vernal, Che Beresford, David Robertson will all make the trip to Monaghan.

More information will follow this on the 19th of April

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blackwater-ceili-band-tickets-852215809427

The Blackwater Céilí Band hails from the Clogher Valley region of County Tyrone, in the heart of Ulster’s musical landscape. Since their formation in 2015, the band have risen to prominence and are widely recognised as one of the finest exponents of Irish Traditional Music. They bring boundless energy and passion to every performance, creating fresh musical interpretations with distinctive character and detail, firmly rooted in the Ulster tradition.

In 2018, the Blackwater made history, claiming the prestigious Senior All-Ireland Céilí Band title at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Drogheda. Consequently, they became one of only three Ulster bands to accomplish this feat, cementing their place in the annals of céilí band folklore.

Building upon their landmark success, the band have toured extensively across Ireland and Britain, bringing their signature sound and rhythmical musical style to many captivated audiences. They subsequently released their debut album ‘Music In The Valley’, to critical acclaim in 2019. The recording has been described as “one to savour, showcasing a versatile and orchestrated band at the top of their game”. The Blackwater Céilí Band are now proud to present their long-awaited second studio recording, ‘Northern Landscape’.

Northern Landscape is a unique collection of music and songs showcasing the rich, cultural tapestry found within the heartlands of the northern counties. This seminal recording incorporates both traditional and contemporary themes, carefully crafted by a band on a musical journey across their native cultural landscape. Joined by a stellar cast of guest singers, the Blackwater Céilí Band demonstrate a deep respect and understanding of the tunes and songs of their Northern Landscape.

THE BAND 

Ryan Hackett (Band Leader), Eskra, Co. Tyrone - Piano Accordion

Michael Curran, Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone - Button Accordion 

James McCaffrey, Dromore, Co. Tyrone - Flute

Michael Coney, Coalisland, Co. Tyrone - Flute

Rosie Ferguson, Newry, Co. Down - Fiddle

Lydia Warnock, Kinlough, Co. Leitrim - Fiddle

Eugene McKenna, Augher, Co. Tyrone - Fiddle

Ursula McAdam, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan - Fiddle 

George McAdam, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan - Drums

Mark McCrystall, Omagh, Co. Tyrone - Piano

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tim-edey-donald-shaw-tickets-852210694127

For those of you who have not yet heard the music of Tim Edey, you are in for some shock! and we mean that sincerely... a genuine shock to the system in the most fantastic way!! Tim Edey is a fireball, a tour-de-force, a musical dynamo and a pure musical genius. There is no one on this planet to compare to Tim Edey.

Tim’s first appearance in Monaghan was at Feile Oriel 2023 as the opening act in St. Joseph’s church he left the audience stunned and speechless. Equally proficient on guitar and box he also enjoys playing jazz and blues on piano. Of the many influences on young Tim, he of Kent UK, it was his trip in Dingle, meeting with the legend that was Seamus Begley (RIP) that spurned his thirst and devotion for Irish music, and in particular box playing. Tim was also part of the SUPERBAND which perfomed to critical acclaim on the Saturday night.

Bringing Tim back this year for a special collaboration with Donald Shaw on Saturday May 5th will be another jaw-dropping experience.

It is a huge honour and privilege for Feile Oriel to have Donald Shaw appearing not once, but twice at our festival this year. Last April Donald came to Monaghan for the very first time ever as part of the hand-picked SUPERBAND that Feile Oriel requested.

Along with Mike McGoldrick, Dezi Donnelly and Tim Edey this bunch of gifted musicians wowed the audience as the headline gig for the festival weekend. Along with Steve Cooney who was the guest artist on stage with them they each agreed that this was a truly unique and memorable night as performers… given the rapturous reception and attentivness they were given by the audience.

Donald was blown away by Monaghan. This will be another first for Donald Shaw as he and Tim Edey prepare a brand new musical experience for them and the audience in Monaghan on Friday May the 3rd. Feile Oriel has made it a goal of the festival to bring new collaborations to the weekend. It will be a much-eagerly anticapated event.

Support act to Tim Edey and Donald Shaw - Cuan

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sinead-mckenna-album-launch-faoi-lan-ceoil-tickets-852221767247

One of seven siblings, multi-instrumentalist, and singer Sinéad McKenna from Augher, Co. Tyrone hails from a family steeped in Irish traditional music. Her music clearly signals her North Monaghan roots and draws its inspiration from her granduncles, fiddle players Pete and Pat McKenna. Echoes from master Ulster fiddle exponents Tommy Peoples and Ed Reavy resonate throughout this collection of fiery, raw traditional fiddle music and song.

Sinéad has performed extensively throughout Ireland, Europe, the USA, Dubai, and beyond. Recent highlights in her career include performing alongside a star-studded line-up of artists at the Tommy People’s Tribute Concert in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, at headline events at Belfast Tradfest and at The Pádraig O’Keefe festival.

As an established, young, up-and-coming artist, Sinéad has performed on various TV and radio platforms, including RTÉ, TG4 and on the landmark BBC documentary, "The Northern Fiddler." She has multiple all-Ireland medals from Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, and also won the prestigious Ed Reavy International Fiddle Competition in 2019.

Since moving to Belfast to study, Sinéad has built a strong following in the traditional music community there, collaborating with the Duncairn Collective, and regular performances on Belfast’s trad trail and Ceol na mBan at Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich. In 2022, she was one of the inaugural recipients of The Belfast City Council’s Gradam Ceoil Bursary Award; this has given her the time and space to perform, collaborate, compose and record with highly respected musicians throughout Ireland and abroad.

Releasing in March 2024, Sinéad’s debut album ‘Faoi Lán Ceoil’ illustrates her authenticity, skill, and mastery of the fiddle. Her singing in both Irish and English marries haunting melodic lines with sensitive and colourful arrangements of traditional songs. Is ceannródaí í Sinéad a bhfuil mianach an cheoil inti, a saothar nua-chumtha den scoth fite fuaite lena sárthuiscint ar cheoil traidisiúnta agus ar amhráin mealltacha a sinsir.

Accompanied by Micky Fearon (Guitar) and Rachael Masterson (Piano), with guest appearances from her brother Peter McKenna (Uilleann Pipes), Oisín Murphy (Banjo) and Brendy Loughran (Concertina) this album breaks new ground and celebrates an emerging generation of dynamic McKenna fiddle players.

Sinead will be performing on here bespoke made Paul Bradley fiddle. Paul will be exhibiting in the market house his fiddles and his craft from 1pm on Saturday prior to Sinead McKenna’s album launch.

Paul Bradley - Fiddle Maker

Exhibition; 1pm Market House. Saturday May 4th

Paul Bradley graduated from Newark School of Violin Making thirty years ago. His instruments are played by outstanding traditional fiddle-players Declan Folan, Sinéad McKenna and Rory Healey. Rachel Rynne-Lyons, (First Violinist with City of Dublin Chamber Orchestra) plays a violin by Paul as her primary instrument.

Paul is a well known fiddle player, a tutor at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy and Armagh Piper's Club. 

He lives and works in Armagh City. 

Get you tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brid-harper-ryan-molloy-tickets-842737489517

Bríd Harper

Féile Oriel is delighted to celebrate Bríd Harper who has long been regarded as one of Ireland's leading traditional fiddle players. Recognised for her precise, articulate and highly ornamented style, her contemporary interpretation of the Donegal tradition is considered one of the most unique and creative voices in the genre. Originally from Castlefinn, Co. Donegal but based in Co. Tyrone, she started learning the fiddle at 9 years of age and won all the underage competitions at All-Ireland level. In 1988 she was the recipient of Senior All-Ireland, Fiddler of Dooney and Oireachtas na Gaeilge titles. She is in demand nationally and internationally as a performer and teacher and was nominated for best folk instrumentalist in the RTE Radio 1 Folk Awards 2022. Bríd is highly respected and much sought after as a teacher. She has tutored at Summer Schools and workshops throughout Ireland, The UK, The USA, Canada, many parts of mainland Europe, New Zealand and Australia. She is a visiting tutor and performer at The Irish World Academy in Limerick University. Belfast tradfest hosted a special concert in her honour in Febuary as recognition to her massive contribution as teacher, mentor and fiddler.

Ryan Molloy

As a composer and performer, Ryan Molloy’s work has been performed to international audiences on four continents for over fifteen years. He has recorded as accompanist on over twenty albums and his repertoire spans numerous genres from traditional Irish music to contemporary classical music. He has worked with a host of internationally renowned artists such as Fergal Scahill, Seán Óg Graham, Paddy Glackin, Iarla Ó Lionáird, North Cregg, Barry Kerr, the Ulster Orchestra, and Irish Chamber Orchestra, amongst others. Ryan’s work has won several prizes and is broadcast regularly both nationally and internationally on BBC Radio 3, Radio Ulster, RTÉ Lyric FM, Radio 1 and Ráidió na Gaeltachta as well as on BBC 2, UTV and TG4. Ryan’s compositional work was recently supported by a BBC Performing Arts Fund Fellowship and he is currently Associate Professor of composition at Maynooth University. Described as a ‘milestone’ in traditional piano performance, Ryan’s critically acclaimed first solo recording pianophony was released in 2019 and is available at ryanmolloy.bandcamp.com. Ryan is also a viruoso fiddle player.

Visit www.ryanmolloy.ie for information on other works, performances and recordings.