From this far in the depth of the bleak mid winter, the month of May may seem far, far away. But it will come, with all its blooming beauty, hurtling towards us with every cock-step lengthening of the days between us.
It’s with that in mind that P.J. Teahan is sending a reminder to those who have enquired about dates for this year’s World Fiddle Day celebrations in Scartaglen.
This year will mark the 50th anniversary of Denis Murphy’s death and patrons, of the annual Scart wing of the worldwide celebration of the fiddle and its family if instruments, will want to be booking flights and accommodation around the timing of the event.
Bring Your Fiddle
“Make 2024 the year you bring your fiddle and join in. The details may change slightly but the dye of the dates is cast,” said P.J.
On Saturday, May 11th there will be a Handed Down presentation on Denis Murphy and Johnny O’Leary’s musical partnership presented by Johnny’s grandson, Bryan O’Leary.
On Wednesday, May 15th there will be a ‘special international event’ on which details will be furnished later. On Thursday, May 16th there will be an ‘Open Sliabh Luachra Session’ in Castleisland involving all the local musicians.
Handed Down Special
This will be followed on Friday May 17th by a ‘Handed Down Special Presentation.’
Aoife Nic Cormaic, presenter of RTÉ One Rolling Wave programme will discuss Denis Murphy with a panel including: Peter Browne, Billy Clifford and Pádraic Mac Mathúna.
This will be accompanied by a concert featuring: Jackie Daly and Matt Cranitch’s tribute to Denis Murphy
A young Sliabh Luachra musicians tribute and a special Gneeveguilla fiddle tribute to Denis Murphy from native, Con Moynihan and his nephew the Dublin born Aidan Connolly.
Stories of Friendships
On Saturday, May 18th at noon, Pádraic Mac Mathúna will recall stories from the friendship which grew between his father his father, Ciarán and Denis Murphy.
This will be followed by the opening World Fiddle Day sessions. At 2:15pm the annual ceremonial photographs and tunes at the Patrick O’Keeffe monument on the square in Scart will be led by a guest, young fiddle player.
Then at 2:30pm the annual fiddle recital will be hosted by Aidan Connolly with the set-list chosen by him from Denis Murphy’s repertoire in the archives.
Session with Bryan O’Leary
At 4pm there’s a session with Bryan O’Leary featuring tunes that Denis Murphy and Johnny O’ Leary played in Knocknagree.
You’d feel like taking a half day after all that but, needless to say, there’s more to be added as the time goes on.
The above layout of events serves its purpose in providing a time-frame for those who travel long distances to be in Scartaglen for this great event every year since its initiation in May 2013.
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