welcome
Hello and welcome to the website of Fiddle Fair 2007.
Preparations are moving up a gear here in Baltimore where the weather is still pretty tough but the thoughts of the Fiddle Fair are sustaining us all.
We have decided to use the same format as last year which was so enjoyable for all concerned so once again the Fiddle Fair will take place all around the village over the 4 days.
We’re very excited about our line-up for this year where we continue our policy of bringing ‘new’ music from around the world, as well as the best of Irish acts, to our beautiful corner of West Cork.
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Bruce Molsky |
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Cathal Hayden, Mairtin O’Connor and Seamie O’Dowd |
He will be followed by three of the very best talents from the world of traditional Irish music: Cathal Hayden, Mairtin O’Connor and Seamie O’Dowd. These lads are some of the most popular musicians that ever played for us in Baltimore and have given us many special memories. I’m sure tonight will be another one.
Friday at the hotel is a very special night because we will be honouring the great Arty McGlynn. Down all the years at the Fiddle Fair Arty has probably played more gigs than anyone. He has played with many fine fiddle players and we decided it would be nice to ask him to choose 4 of his favourites to join him for this special show.
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Arty McGlynn |
He will be joined by his lovely wife Nollaig Casey from Bandon, Cathal Hayden and Shane McAleer from his native Co. Tyrone and Sean Regan from Manchester. We are delighted to have Gilles Apap appearing at our festival for the first time. Someone put a cd in my hand at last year’s festival and said I should check this guy out and ever since I have been a huge fan. From the classical world but plays and obviously loves all traditional music, Gilles will be here for the whole weekend.
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Gilles Apap |
He will play a slot before Arty on Friday night and will then play his main show on Saturday afternoon at the beautiful Amphitheatre at Glebe Gardens where he’ll be joined by accordionist Myriam Lafar, from his group ‘The Colours of Invention’. Definitely not to be missed.
This year sees us return to the amazing Dun na Seid Castle in the square for the first of two acoustic shows. As anyone who was there last year will testify, this is a truly magical venue which was probably hosting live music 800 years ago.
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Dun na Sead |
Saturday’s lunchtime concert shall feature the music of Sliabh Luachra performed by the fiddle and flute duo from Macroom, Connie O’Connell and Eibhlin de Paor.
On Saturday afternoon we are delighted to return to another unique and beautiful location, Glebe Gardens Amphitheatre. This concert will feature old timey fiddler from USA Stefanie Coleman and Cork's own Mick Daly.
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Glebe Gardens |
We have always wanted to bring an African band to the Fiddle Fair so we are especially excited to have Afel Bocoum & Alkibar from Mali performing at the hotel on the Saturday night. A long time member of Ali Farka Toure’s band, Afel plays the wonderful rich traditional music of his country and the band contains a one stringed fiddle called a njarke.
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Afel Bocoum |
Liam O'Maonlai has recently returned from playing at a festival in Mali with Paddy Keenan where he met with Afel amongst other local musicians and we were only too happy to get them to meet up again, only this time in West Cork.
Liam shall be accompanied by Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh, and this promises to be a very special evening with music from vastly different culture’s yet with lots of similarities.
On Sunday we start off back at Dun na Seid Castle with a great traditional Irish gig by Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh and Mick O’Brien. Their album is one of the very best to come out of Ireland this century and their beautiful ‘mellow’ arrangements of fiddle and pipes should particularly suit the Castle. Caoimhin will also perform on the Norweigan Hardanger Fiddle.
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Dermot Byrne |
Sunday afternoon at 3pm sees the Fiddle Fair host a world premiere when 3 great musicians take to the stage for a very special show. Dermot Byrne, Derek Hickey and Michael McGoldrick are all known for their brilliant mastery of other instruments but today they’re going to play the fiddle. They’re all pretty nervous but believe me they have no reason to be.
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Mick Flannery |
Corkman Mick Flannery’s debut album ‘Evening Train’ made a large impression on us here in Baltimore this past year and has received rave reviews. We are delighted to offer you the opportunity to catch a very rare live performance of this remarkable album.
Our final show of Fiddle Fair 2007 promises to be another humdinger.
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Michael McGoldrick |
Paying a flying visit to the Fiddle Fair from the middle of their 3 week UK tour, John McCusker, John Doyle and Michael McGoldrick are three of the most exciting musicians anywhere. John and John were here last year with Tim O’Brien and are hoping to win the contract for the festival band.
To finish we are delighted to present Crooked Still. This young band from Boston (with a strong West Cork connection), have been whooping up a storm at festivals around the world.
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Crooked Still |
Their live performances are amazing and they are guaranteed to bring Fiddle Fair 07 to a memorable finale.
I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s a very exciting line-up and I look forward to seeing you here in May.
Declan
