Special show puts Donegal’s female fiddlers in the spotlight

An upcoming lunchtime concert will bring female musicians with local connections to the fore in a unique way.

The Regional Cultural Centre is set to host a unique celebration concert for female fiddlers on July 15th.

The fiddle has long been associated with County Donegal, but apart from a few relatively well-known players, a large cohort of the female fiddlers of the county have remained hidden in the background.

Thirteen female players, including Altan’s Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh, will come together for the first time for this extraordinary concert.

All women on the line-up are either from Donegal, associated with Donegal or residing in Donegal. The musicians in concert are: Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh, Brid Harper, Liz Doherty, Roisin McGrory (Harrigan), Clare Friel, Melanie Houton, Theresa Kavanagh, Aisling Drost-Byrne, Tara Connaghan, Denise Boyle, Claire Gallagher, Clodagh Warnock and Eimear McColgan.

Show organsiers said the line-up “represents a mere tip of the iceberg of a huge quantity of quality female fiddlers around the county and just the start of a Donegal female fiddle showcasing revolution!”