Fiddle

Date: Saturday 3rd February 2024.
Location: Newport National School.
Registration: 9.30am
Workshop: 10am

Diarmuid Gielty

Diarmuid began playing fiddle as one of the first students of the Scoil Acla Summer School revival in 1985. He has been long term member of the Dooagh Pipe Band for and was the chairperson and driving force of Scoil Acla from 2006 until 2017. He was heavily involved in the re-establishment of the Dooagh Fie & Drum Band in 2018. He was an executive producer of a short film entitled ‘Casadh na Taoide’ for the Achill International Harp festival which celebrated the strong links Achill has with Inishboffin, Inisturk, Clare Island and Árainn Mhór off Donegal.

During his time away from Achill Diarmuid played regularly with well-known musicians such as Francie Mooney, Dermot Byrne, Maireád Ní Mhaonaigh, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh. Diarmuid has performed at the Achill International Harp Festival collaboration concerts in 2016, 2017 and 2018 playing alongside world class artists including Allan McDonald, Mary MacMaster and Donald Hay (Scotland), Jean-Michel Veillon and Erwan Menguy (Brittany), Anxo Lorenzo, Xabier Diaz (Gallica) and Steve Cooney, (Ireland). Over the years Diarmuid has become an anchor musician and guide for the Wild Atlantic Music tours when they visit Achill, to date he has welcomed Eileen Ivers, John Whelan and Kevin Burke to Achill, organised and joined in sessions with them. He has made numerous appearances playing music and contributing regularly on TG4, RnaG and RTÉ radio and television.”

John McHugh

John comes from the village of Rinnaney near Foxford, Co. Mayo. Fiddle playing has been in the family for generations and many distinctive local tunes have been passed down to John mostly from his late father Kevin McHugh. John plays with Céide, the Swallow’s Tail Céilí Band and in sessions far and near. John has featured on a number of CD’s; Music at Matt Molloys, Suas Leat, In Full Flight, Ceolaras Coleman Sessions, Ceol Mhaigh Eo, Currinara Tea Break and Fidiléirí. John is much in demand as a tutor and he has taught at many Summer Schools in Ireland and abroad over the years.

Marie McHugh

Marie began learning the fiddle at 8 years from John Hoban from Castlebar followed by John Murphy a Dublin fiddle player living in Westport. Her playing in later years became greatly influenced by attending summer schools and festivals around the country as well as playing with and listening to older musicians in the Mayo area.