Fiddler's Green International Festival
The Fiddler's Green International Festival is an annual folk music and cultural festival held in Rostrevor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Established in 1987, the festival has become one of the longest-running and most respected folk festivals on the island of Ireland. It typically takes place over the course of a week in late July.
Overview
The festival features a wide variety of events including concerts, workshops, art exhibitions, storytelling sessions, poetry readings, céilís, and outdoor performances. Programming ranges from traditional Irish music to contemporary folk and world music, with performances taking place in venues throughout Rostrevor, including churches, schools, pubs, An Cuan, and open-air stages. In addition to music, the festival places a strong emphasis on community involvement, culture, and the arts. Family-friendly activities and events for all ages are a core part of the festival ethos. Fiddler's Green has become a major cultural event in the calendar of Rostrevor and the surrounding area, drawing thousands of visitors annually.Signature events of the festival include an open-air performance in the Fiddler's Green meadow in Kilbroney Park, the "20 Singers, 20 Songs" variety show, the nightly Festival Folk Club in St. Bronagh’s Social Club, and the "Music of Healing" event curated by Tommy Sands featuring music and dialogue among guest speakers with diverse political and religious views.
History
The festival was founded in 1987 by a group of local musicians and community members who wanted to celebrate the region's rich folk traditions and the musical heritage of Rostrevor. Named after the mythical “Fiddler’s Green,” a sailor’s paradise of eternal music and merriment, the festival was inspired by the spirit of traditional Irish music and the storytelling culture of the Mourne region. Over the years, the festival has grown significantly in scale. It has hosted prominent local and international artists, as well as serving as a platform for emerging local talent.Notable artists and contributors
Local singer-songwriter Tommy Sands, known for his music and peace activism, has been a recurring presence and a key figure in the festival's development alongside other members of his family band, The Sands Family. The festival has welcomed a range of celebrated artists over the years, including musicians such as Sean McGuire, Tommy Makem, The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, De Dannan, Paul Brady, Clannad, Seán Keane, Dana, and Cara Dillon, as well as other creators such as the poet Seamus Heaney and Irish language advocate Linda Ervine.Annual awards
The festival presents two annual awards. The Fiddler's Green Festival Hall of Fame Award is awarded to "an individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution to Irish Music and Tradition". The Fiddler’s Green Festival Creative Arts Award "acknowledges achievement in the Arts & Literacy field".| Year | Recipient |
| 1987 | Seán Maguire |
| 1988 | David Hammond |
| 1989 | Tommy Makem |
| 1990 | Joe Burke |
| 1991 | Mick Moloney |
| 1992 | Moya Brennan |
| 1993 | Liam O'Flynn |
| 1994 | The Clancy Brothers & Robbie O'Connell |
| 1995 | Dolores Keane |
| 1996 | The Dubliners |
| 1997 | De Dannan |
| 1998 | Altan |
| 1999 | Finbar Furey |
| 2000 | The Sands Family |
| 2001 | Andy Irvine |
| 2002 | Ronnie Drew |
| 2003 | Boys of the Lough |
| 2004 | Paddy Moloney |
| 2005 | Dónal Lunny |
| 2006 | Cathal Hayden |
| 2007 | Sweeney's Men; The McPeakes |
| 2008 | Mary Black |
| 2009 | Máirtín O'Connor |
| 2010 | Matt Molloy |
| 2011 | Paddy Glackin |
| 2012 | The MacConnell Brothers |
| 2013 | Sharon Shannon |
| 2014 | Joanie Madden & Cherish the Ladies |
| 2015 | Steve Cooney & Séamus Begley |
| 2016 | Brian & Eithne Vallely |
| 2017 | Martin Hayes |
| 2018 | Na Píobairí Uilleann |
| 2019 | Clannad |
| 2022 | Flook |
| 2023 | Dervish |
| 2024 | Paul Brady |
| 2025 | Seán Keane |