DONEGAL FIDDLE MUSIC - Key Persons
Bríd Harper, who's originally from Castlefin, has been described by the Irish Echo as "one of the finest fiddlers in traditional music". Her solo CD Brid Harper, released in 2015, was described by Trad-Connect.com as "solo fiddle of the most exquisite kind", and "one of this year's best traditional albums".
Bríd won the All-Ireland senior fiddle title in 1988, and has been much in demand for performances at home and abroad. She is also an exceptional teacher, guiding lots of talented players in her adopted Tyrone and also in masterclasses far and wide.
Her sisters are also talented musicians. Her grandfather, Stephen Harper, is remembered in East Donegal as an exceptional player.
The CD ‘Bríd Harper' is available from Copperplate Distribution online, http://www.copperplatemailorder.com/shop/accordion/bridharper/
Dr. Conor Caldwell is a lecturer and researcher in traditional Irish music.
There was music on both sides of Eithne's family.
Her father Harry Carey was born in Edinburgh and brought up in Glasgow. When he was still a boy he moved to live with an unmarried aunt in Corlea outside Ballyshannon, on the border with Fermanagh.
There he took his first steps on the fiddle. His cousin was a noted fiddler, Eddie Moore, and his uncles John and James Slevin also played.
Ellie Nic Fionnghaile is an Administration Officer with a traditional arts organisation.
Job Titles:
- Master Crowley 's / Roscommon Reels
Frank Kelly is one of Donegal's leading fiddlers and during a lifetime of playing he has rubbed shoulders with some of the greatest names in the Irish tradition.
Born the youngest of 12 in 1936 in the townland of Mullaghaneary near Killygordon, he grew up with neighbours and visitors calling to the house for chat, music and dancing. He started to play at eight or nine on a tin fiddle made by Mickey Mór Doherty, patriarch of the Doherty clan of fiddlers. His next fiddle was made by his grandfather from a shoe polish box.
Frank learned from the local players and also from the 78s of the renowned US-based Irish fiddlers like Michael Coleman and Hugh Gillespie. Hugh was of particular interest because he was originally from nearby Ballybofeyand a relation. Hugh's brothers Mickey and Jim were also good fiddle players.
Hugh and Frank's first meeting was when Frank was around 12 and Hugh was home from New York on holiday. In 1964 Hugh returned to live at Carrickmagrath, Ballybofey. The two men played together several times a week until Hugh's death in October 1986.
Frank won an All-Ireland senior fiddle title in Buncrana in 1979 and took part in the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann tour of North America that year. He has been active in CCÉ for many years, and was a driving force behind the regular CCÉ session in Crossroads, Killygordon also.
Frank's son Bernard is a well-known accordionist.
‘Memories of Hughie Gillespie' is Frank Kelly's album with the late Liam Deery from Ballybofey on guitar. It was first released on cassette in 1996 and then on CD in 2019. It is available at frosses56@gmail.com
Martin McGinley had two chats with Frank Kelly about his life in Irish traditional music. The first was on Saturday 12 th September 2020, and the second on Monday 21 st September 2020.