The Fiddler’s Green Festival - A Rostrevor Success Story Since 1987

Believed to be name after Edward Trevor’s wife Rose, the village of Rostrevor is known for its sights and sounds, which is apt with the Fiddler’s Green Festival taking place this week. The festival is in its 37th year and continues to grow in numbers and events and this year runs to Sunday 20 July.

It began as a one-night event in 1987 and has grown to several days and nights of entertainment with over two hundred artists performing, drawing audience members from as far as Canada, Australia and Denmark. The festival is named after the Fiddler’s Green area in Rostrevor (in legend the Fiddler’s Green is considered a place in the afterlife where sailors can rest in peace while a violin plays for their amusement) which is where the performers and audience gather to mark the opening of the festival. The event encompasses musical performances, art, nature, wellness, musical workshops and Ceili dancing. Another highlight is the Duck Derby which has been held at the Fairy Glen since the 1980s.

Aside from the events held, the festival also highlights the contributions made by artists in music, literature and art. There are two awards given each year. The Hall of Fame Award for an individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution to Irish Music and Tradition and the Creative Arts Award (established in the year 2000) which acknowledges achievement in the Arts & Literacy field. The Hall of Fame Award was hand carved by local artist Jim Sherry and was first awarded to legendary fiddle player Sean Maguire before being given to acts such as The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, The Sands Family, De Dannan and Clannad. The Creative Arts Award trophy was crafted by Irish Sculptor Carolyn Mulholland and was first awarded to the late Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney.

One of the famous groups associated with the festival is the Sands family. Also known as the Sands Family Folk Group, the band consists of Tommy, Anne, Colum and Ben Sands who lived just outside of Mayobridge. The band went from performing in their home to playing in New York in 1971 as well performing on a St Patrick's Day in Carnegie Hall. The Sands family continue to support the festival to this day.    

The festival has had many highlights over the years including the 1989 festival when renowned Irish Folk Musician Tommy Makem flew in from America to join in the events. The 1995 festival saw Dolores Keane winning the Hall of Fame Award and part of the festival appearing on the BBC for an episode of “Anderson on the Road” hosted by popular presenter Gerry Anderson. Dolores’ brother Seán Keane will be receiving the Hall of Fame Award this year.

Newry Museum is currently offering free tours of the main exhibition galleries on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling their Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.

Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.

Visit their website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk