Antrim Fiddlers Causeway Dulcimer Festival

North Antrim Fiddlers

Dick Glasgow, Kathleen Smith & John Hughes at Fiddle Talk ~ CDF05

[Photo ~ Jenny Coxon]

The Causeway Dulcimer Festival promotes the Fiddle playing of North Antrim too. North Antrim fiddling is interesting in that the fiddlers of the area received as much, if not more, inspiration from Scottish traditional musicians than they did from Irish fiddlers. This is evident in their reportoire and style, e.g. Scottish marches and flings would be far more popular here than in most other areas of Ireland and the style of playing is a slower, plainer, less flamboyant approach to the music. A style which is also reflected in the traditional singing of the North.

This page is dedicated to some well known, & some not so well known, local worthies, who deserve our recognition, for these colourful characters made, & thankfully in some cases still continue to make, our little corner a richer & more interesting place to live.
I mention around 40 local fiddle players, who were active in living memory, which indicates just how popular traditional music was in North Antrim.

In the days before the TV, traditional dances were very popular, and fiddle and accordion players would play in all manner of Parish & Orange Halls throughout North Antrim, back in those halcyon days when traditional music was not the property of one community alone, but was rightly enjoyed and practiced by all, as a shared legacy and heritage as part of everyone’s culture.

Perhaps this page will encourage more musicians to take an interest in the fiddle playing of North Antrim, and our new festival help everyone in North Antrim to appreciate and embrace their musical traditions.

Dick Glasgow Fiddling in The Smugglers Inn, Bushmills

[Photo Art Ward]

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If you can add any interesting information to my limited knowledge of those Fiddlers listed below, I would be delighted to recieve it. Also, if you can recommend anyone else for inclusion in this local hall of fame, please feel free to e-mail the information to me, including photographs, if possible, & I will happily add their story.
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John McLaughlin

John, or Sean as he preferred to be called in later life, was easily the most famous fiddler to come from North Antrim. He was from Armoy, and was known far and wide for his many recordings and even won the All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Competition on at least one occasion.
When he was nine he acquired his first violin and was soon in demand for playing at local Ceilidhs. He learned much of his early music from Ballymoney Fiddler James Kealy.
During the 2nd World War Sean fought with the 1st Battallion of Royal Ulster Rifles.
After the war he came home to Armoy but had to head to England again, looking for work.
In 1957, back home, he won the All-Ireland Senior Fiddle competition, which was in Longford that year. His opponents that year were Sean Gallagher from Donegal and Sean O’Laughlin from Clare. He was last to play and after playing, was asked to stand at the back of the stage while the other two competitors were asked to play again. The audience assumed that Sean had been placed third and that the other two competitors were being asked to play again to decide first & second place, but in fact Sean McLaughlin was the Champion, much to the delight of the crowd.
He was from Armoy and was a great friend of that other legendary Antrim fiddler Sean McGuire R. I. P. As well as being an excellent Fiddler he also composed a number of lovely tunes like ‘McLaughlin’s Dream’, ‘Golden Shadows’ and McLaughlin’s Lament’. He was a fine painter too and most local folk remember him by his nickname ~ 'The Shadow'.

Joe Holmes

Joe holmes was one of Antrim’s finest ever Fiddlers, Singers and Lilters, who’s brother Harry, brought him a Fiddle home from France, after the First War, and many’s a good night they had round the fire at their Killyrammer home, before Harry sailed for Canada.
FAREWELL TO BALLYMONEY AND COUNTY ANTRIM TOO,
LIKEWISE FAREWELL DEAR MOLLY I BID YOU A FOND ADIEU,
AMERIKAY LIES FAR AWAY ACROSS THE OCEAN BLUE,
I AM BOUND FOR THERE DEAR MOLLY AND AGAIN I’LL NE’ER SEE YOU.
Apparently a regular visitor with Joe was an Armoy man by the name of John McAfee, who was a singer, and a Fiddler too?
Joe’s house was a ‘Ceili-house’ and they regularly had a four hand reel, or a set of lancers stepped out nicely on their kitchen floor. Joe had two neighbour girls too, who sang a duet about a rich girl who fell in love with a sailor-boy.
MY LOVE HE IS A SAILOR BOLD HIS AGE IS SCARCE SIXTEEN,
HE IS THE FINEST YOUNG MAN THAT EVER YOU HAVE SEEN,
MY FATHER HE HAS RICHES GREAT, BUT REILLY HE IS POOR,
AND BECAUSE I LOVE MY SAILOR LAD HE CANNOT ME ENDURE.
Were you one of those Killyrammer girls, or does anyone remember who the two were, who sang this duet?
In those far off days, they had lots of special occasions, which were good excuses for a good Ceili of songs, music and dancing. Events like Lint-pullings, Country-dances, Churns etc. Can anyone remember those? I’d love to hear what actually went on at a Lint-pulling or a Churn.
Another special event was the Christmas Rhymers, when a group went round the houses performing a little play. Joe usually played the Doctor, but there were other characters too, like Saint George of England, St. Patrick and the Turkey Champion (now that sounds like an ideal role for Dunloy’s Damian McKee! ).
Does anyone remember being part of one of those groups, or even just being visited by them?
HERE COMES I ST. PATRICK IN SHINING ARMOUR BRIGHT,
A FAMOUS CHAMPION AND WORTHY NIGHT,
WHAT WAS ST. GEORGE BUT ST PATRICKS BOY,
WHO FED HIS HORSE ON OATS AND HAY,
AND AFTERWARDS HE RAN AWAY.
On leaving school at 14, Joe’s first job was to carry the red flag in front of the steam-roller, and he would follow it around the countryside all week in a caravan, and take his Fiddle too. Some of his old Fiddle favourites included The Boys of Ballycastle, The Blackberry Blossom, Royal Charlie, Wellington’s Medal and Rodney’s Glory. I’m sure many
Fiddle and Fife men out there will recognise those tune names.
Joe left the roads and went to Flax-scutching, first for a wee mill beside Killyrammer, and then into Milltown Mill, in Ballymoney. However, as anyone who has been involved in that work will tell you, it is not very healthy, and Joe’s last job was out in the fresh air again, as a green-keeper for Ballymoney Bowling club.
Joe latterly lived at Chestnut Grove in the town, but sadly he died on January 5th, 1978, at the age of 71.

I received a lovely letter from a neighbour and close friend of Joe’s, a man who was born only 100 yards from Joe’s house, in 1938. In his early years, this gentleman was a regular visitor to Joe’s house, and he tells me there were always Fiddlers calling in ‘for a tune’. He particularly remembers one fine Fiddler by the name of Adam Elliott from Kilraughts. He also remembers them talking of a Fiddler by the name of McAfee, who would have been John McAfee from Armoy, but unfortunately he has no memory of the Killyrammer girls, who apparently regularly sang at Joe’s house.
This man, like Joe, did his own fair share of ‘Lint Pulling’, and he also worked for a time at ‘Henrys Mill’, and he remembers Joe’s brothers Davy and Jonnie, whom he described as being like Joe, “all fine men”. However, it seems he could never understand how Joe’s household could be bothered by so many folk calling round each night, for the music and crack. {Crack ~ from N E England, means fun}

Stumpy McCloskey

Stumpy McLuskey of Cloughmills was a wonderful character who was obviously out of the same mould that produced Joe Holmes, for he was a delightful singer and great Fiddle player too. There is a school of thought that says the surname Glasgow {my own} comes originally from McLoskey, which is not surprising when you consider how many words have been clearly anglicised over the years in this area. I must say though, I have heard a tape recording of Stumpy playing and singing and I would be delighted to be associated with his family name.

Jim McGill

Jim McGill was born in the townland of Ballinlea, which lies half way between Ballycastle and Bushmills, in the Causeway Coast region of north Antrim. He was a fine country Fiddler, and realising that no one was passing on the skills of Traditional Music to the younger generation locally, he decided to set about the task himself. For many
years he taught kids from all around Ballinlea, Ballintoy & Ballycastle, visiting them in their own homes and passing on the music he loved so much, in order that others would still be playing, when he was not around to Fiddle for the local Ceili, concert or Pub Session.

Sadly, Jim is no longer with us, but many of the kids Jim taught still play, and all are the richer for having had the the privilage of his tutoring, and the pleasure of his company. Because of all his great work with the local youngsters, I had no hesitation in naming my Music School in his honour.
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Another rare local character was Michael McIlhatten, yes, he was the man Christy Moore sang about, a legend around the Glens of Antrim, for more than just Fiddling too - 'Still' that's another story!
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Frank McCollam

[ I wrote this piece for the Irish Music Magazine. ]
That wonderful Hornpipe, ‘The Home Ruler’ is played & loved wherever there is Irish Music, which means everywhere. But, was it written by a Kerry man, composed in Clare, dreamed up in Sligo, or whittled out of bog oak in Donegal, any guesses? Well no, none of the above are true, it was in fact composed by a fine Fiddler, Frank
McCollam, of Ballycastle, Co Antrim.
Frank, who also had a passion for gardening, Bees, restoring old clocks, and ‘going to the Moss’, was a member of the local Ballinlea Pipe Band, but in later years, put the pipes aside to concentrate on the Fiddle. He also played the Accordion, but it’s his Fiddle playing most folk speak of around here, and musicians used to come from all over
the place to ‘hae a tune wi’ Frank’. Indeed, that well known connoisseur of good tunes, Cathal McConnell was a regular visitor. It’s a fair old cycle from Fermanagh, so Frank, & his music, must have been well worth the jaunt.
Frank himself, was well known all over Ireland, but two men whom he visited on a regular basis were Liam Donnelly, and Sean Ryan. Sean Ryan, a kindred spirit, and brilliant Fiddler himself, and Liam, who could read and write the music down, skills which Frank did not possess. Frank however had all the music he needed in his head, and if he was ever short of a tune, all he had to do was sit down and write a new one.
When I first learned the tune, The Home Ruler, I quite naturally assumed, like many, that it was named with politics in mind. However, some years ago, I was chatting to Len Graham, another good friend of Franks, who put me straight. Frank in fact named the tune after his wife, Sally, and Frank’s daughter Catherine, later confirmed
this by telling me how all the men then, used to refer to their wives as ‘The Home Ruler’.
The version I have for you here, I learned from another Ballycastle man, Franks star pupil, Chris McCormick. Chris learned his Fiddle playing, and of course this tune, from Frank, so this is the way Frank would have played it. A little different perhaps, from the very fine version recorded by Noel Hill & Tony Linnane some years ago, on their
brilliant LP. I’m sure there are many people who learned the tune from that recording, and no doubt they will be interested to see how it differs from the original concept.
Frank often played The Home Ruler in a set with ‘The Hangman’s Noose’, another of his own hornpipes. Frank had John McNaughton in mind when he named this tune, for John, a Bushmills man, was found guilty in 1761, of murdering his lover, and sentenced to hang. However, when they carried out the sentence the rope snapped, so they had to hang him again. Legend has it that he was offered a pardon, but refused it, saying he could not go through life being known as ‘Half hanged McNaughton’. Personally speaking you can call me anything
you like, just don’t stretch my neck!
Another of Frank’s excellent compositions, the reel ‘Catherine Marie’, now often called ‘Kate Marie’, can also be heard wherever good tunes are played. This tune Frank named after his daughter, who now lives in Dublin, so if you happen to meet up with Catherine in one of Dublin’s fine hostelries, I recommend you buy her a drink, and toast
the life of a great composer, and fine musician from Ballycastle, Co.Antrim, - Frank McCollam.
by
Dick Glasgow
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Dusty Rhodes

James Stoddard Moore, the local Poet 'Dusty Rhodes', was born in Cushendall in 1844, the son of an Edinburgh man (well all the best people are!) and a local lass. His parents died before he was fifteen, and soon after, he became a sailor and travelled the seven seas, worked as a Goldminer in California and was a soldier in India, Afghanistan and Malta. When he returned to Ireland however, he worked as a farm labourer around Cushendall & Ballintoy but as he grew older he became a tramp, which was very common in those days.
Most of his poetry was written during the years he wandered the local roads, and he would give the poems to local farmers in return for board and lodgings, or for a few shillings. Some were published in the Northern Constitution, the local publication which printed so much of Sam Henry's collected songs.
He lived with his second wife, for a number of years in Dunlop Street, Coleraine, but settled, after many years on the road, in Mill Street, Ballycastle, with his third wife, and died in 1939 at the ripe old age of 96.
He clearly had plenty to write poetry about, what with his foreign travels and romantic lifestyle, not to mention his long healthy life, and of course, his three wives.
Thanks to Sean Traynor, who wrote to tell me the following tale about Dusty:
"My Great Aunt was born in Prolusk in 1905. My Dad was born at Carnsampson in 1931, Ballycastle. When I was young he was always telling me off for playing my music too loud, saying that I would get the same treatment as what I thought was "Dusty Roads". One day when he was talking about his childhood I asked what the saying was
about and he told me that Dusty wouldn't stop playing his fiddle in a neighbours house ( I think at a wake) and he got chased from the house with a broom. I don't know if anybody else has mentioned the tale? "
If you would like to read one of Dusty's Poems, then visit my Rhymes page.
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Sam Stevenson

Sam was born, lived, worked, married, reared his family and died within sight of Slemish Mountain, and he was
intensely proud of his Braid Valley. A County Antrim man through & through, he loved the violin with a passion, & as
a Fiddle player was a founder member of the 'Antrim & Derry Fiddlers Association'. He was also a lifelong friend, &
playing companion, of such other local greats as Sean McGuire, Jim McKillop, Dennis Sweeney, & perhaps his
closest musical friend in his latter years, Meave McKeon.
Sam's love of the Violin went further than most, for he wasn't content just to play beautiful music on the
instrument, he also went on to make Fiddles himself, & in fact his fiddles, Violas & Cellos are played all over Ireland, England & on the continent. Sam was so well known that enthusiasts from all over the world came to see him in his garden workshop, & when Terry Wogan went looking for a fiddle maker to feature on his series on Ireland, he came to Sam Stevenson.
Sam enjoyed entertaining with the Antrim & Derry Fiddlers, & although he really enjoyed playing Irish Music, he also
loved Scottish Music with a passion. He had great respect for the skill & technique of players like McGuire & McKillop, but there was a certain twinkle in his eye when he talked of Shetland's own Willie Hunter, who was indeed a master of the Slow Air. Sam also loved to quote Fritz Kriesler, the great violinist, who once said 'Tone is in the man, a great instrument simply makes it easier'.
He came to Ballycastle for me on one occasion, to demonstrate to my students the art of Fiddle making, & his
enthusiasm was infactious. Over the last few years of his life, he repaired dozens of local Fiddles & Bows for me.
At his service of thanksgiving, his son-in-law, John Dooris, was the organist and Jim McKillop played some of Sam's favourite music on Fiddle. A fine tribute to Sam was read out by his friend Michael Sayers, & even the minister, the Rev. W. Dickie, had a Fiddle tale to tell about Sam, & produced his own Family Fiddle, which Sam had skilfully reconstructed.
He was a great man who is sadly missed.
Dick Glasgow
This is an extract from 'A Tribute to Sam Stevenson', an article I wrote for my regular 'Moyle Tradition' column, for the 'Moyle Newsletter'.
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John McGill

John McGill lived at 71 Ann Street, Ballycastle, above the famous 'Hell's Kitchen' venue, and right across the road from another great Ballycastle musician, Frank McCollam. He was a coachbuilder to trade, and served his time in the early 1900's with Mr. Harry Porter of John Street, Ballymoney, but his hobby was making Violins. While
attending a cinema, he saw, in a news reel, (remember them! Pathe etc!) a Fiddle made of Perspex and decided to have a go himself. He took celluloid as his medium and built a Fiddle made almost entirely of it, salvaged from the wreckage of a Canadian plane, which crashed in Glenshesk in Dec. 1943, with only the neck, strings and belly rib being made of other materials. John also made Fiddles from Irish Lancewood, aircraft wreckage, tin and mahogany from old landaulets. He also built Banjos.
In his youth, John was a well kent figure with his Fiddle, at local country dances.
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Dan O'Loan

Dan O'Loan, a Glensman, was a famous Fiddler in his day. He was not only a fine musician, but he had other strings to his bow, like being a Carpenter and excellent Fiddle maker, who also made Boats and Furniture. At the height of his musical career he also made a radio programme, which is now, unfortunately, lost in the archives.
Dan had nine of a family and most of his sons were musical, playing Fiddles and Banjos, however, as so often happens, the musical genes skipped the next generation, and as Angela Bonnar, Dan's granddaughter so eloquently put it, " ..the most musical thing in our house was a Singer sewing machine! Thankfully, the music emerged again with a vengeance, in the present generation, through the wonderful musical talents of Jayne & Riona Bonnar, great granddaughters of Dan. The girls were encouraged by their parents, especially Dad Danny, who, as a youth, was a member of a local Folk Group 'Fadge', who played the Pub Scene around Ballycastle & the
Glens.
Younger daughter Jayne's musical career began at the age of seven when she asked, out of the blue, for a Fiddle. It didn't take Riona long to follow suit, and thankfully Jim McGill was on hand to guide the girls carefully onto the first rungs of their musical ladder. After Jim passed on, the girls had a number of Tutors including Dennis Sweeney, myself, local classical tutors Kate Keenan and Mrs Darling, and finally the one and only Sean McGuire recognised their talents, and took the girls under his wing.

It's a pity Dan hadn't been around to witness the girls musical development, especially as they both now proudly play Fiddles made by Dan himself.
This is another extract from an article I wrote for my regular 'Moyle Tradition' piece, for the 'Moyle Newsletter'.
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Other Local Fiddle Players
{ My special thanks to Ballycastle Historian, Danny Morgan, for the following information: }

Jamie Benson

Wee Jamie, as he was known, lived in a small house at Islandmacallion, and often visited Ballycastle.
Jamie was a full time fiddler, playing at fairs and in people's houses.
He was married, and his wife bred Pomeranians as a source of income.
Jamie also gave Fiddle lessonsin his home, but this wasn't easy, with the barking of the dogs!
The couple had no children.
Jamie is recalled as a well dressed man, who was hard to understand, given his accent.
A photo of Jamie appears in "Irish Traditional Music" p 55.
He is shown playing in Ann Street, Ballycastle, 1904.

Johnny Crawford (Senior)

Johnny lived at the Brig-End, on the Bushmills line, and was a well known fiddler, who also made a number of fiddles.
Johnny gave fiddle lessons, and the late Frank McCollam received his first lessons from Johnny.

Frank Simpson

Frank was a Mosside postman, a former soldier, and a keen angler.
Frank regularly played the fiddle in the Laydside Tavern, Mosside, and his favoured music on the Fiddle was Country and Western music. It was also fascinating to learn that 'Essie’s' was a popular place for folk to hear music and Scots and Irish Ballads being sung around the open fire.

Jack McDuff

Jack was a native of Ballymoney and worked as a fireman on the Narrow Guage, but retired in June 1950, when the line closed.
He lived on Rathlin Road and was a good fiddler, who is believed to have composed some tunes.
He was also a gifted craftsman who could make a dresser and repair boots.

Barry Limerick

Barry was a driver on the Narrow Guage line and lived in Ballycastle for about five years.
When the line closed in June 1950, Barry transferred to the main line.
He was a noted fiddler and gave lessons on the instrument.
Three of his pupils were Dominic McNabb, Mary & Annie Clarke.
The Clarkes had a bar in Anne Street, O'Connors.

Dan Blue

Dan lived at Gortconny, before he emigrated to America, possibly Chicago.
Before leaving, he sold his fiddle to Dan Wilkinson.

Dan Wilkinson

Dan was a Ballintoy fiddler, who is said to have played the instrument behind his back on occasion.

Pat Gillan

Pat had a small holding at Lem-nagh. It was a good ceilidh house.
His nephew, Pat McMullan has his fiddle.

Johnny McAleese

Johnny was a traditional singer and fiddler, who used to accompany a Melodeon player at the cross road
dances at Croagh in the 1920's.
Johnny was a thatcher who worked for some time in the gas works at Port Glasgow, before returning home.
The late Frank Kane, Islandranny, got many of his songs from Johnny.

Daniel McGowan

Daniel, a fiddler from Broughgammon, was known as The Poet.
His son Daniel, also called The Poet, was also a fiddler and played at dances in Cloughcorr School.

Alex Morgan

Alex (1877 - 1964) was born in Maghera. He was a fisherman and married May McKillen in 1910.
He was a fiddler, was the grandfather of Danny Morgan, and died, Leyland Road, Ballycastle.

Willie Morgan

Willie was born in 1900, in Port Glasgow, and his parents returned to Magheracastle, about three years later.
Willie was a fiddler who played at dances in Cloughcorr School.
He emigrated to Los Angeles.

Willie McGill

Willie, of Prolusk, died at the age of 32 (C 1912) after a botched appendix opperation, in an American hospital.
He was a well known fiddler, who had been home on holidays just 6 months previously.

Willie Weir

Willie stayed at Tenaghs, Glenshesk, where he died unmarried.
Willie was a fiddler and a singer, who could imitate bird song.
He was also a good actor who acted in a number of local productions.

Randal McDonnell

Randal was a brother of Jamie McDonnell the contractor.
He used to perform at dances held in Greenans School, Glenshesk.
He played the pipes, melodeon, fiddle and mouth organ.

Cassie McHenry

Cassie, and her brother Mick McHenry who played the accordion, lived at Torr.
They used to play at the dances on the night of the Torr Regatta, which ceased in the early 1930's.
Lawrence McHenry is a nephew.

Johnny McAfee

Johnny was an Armoy fiddler, who used to play in Fisher's Pub in Castle Street, now B. Curry's.
Johnny used to play "The Cargan Lammas Fair".
One night, a drunk who was critical of his playing, took the fiddle from him and smashed it.

You can see a photo of John McAfee fiddling at the 'Dervock Fair' on page xxxiii of Sam Henry’s 'Songs of the People'.

Andy McGoogan

Andy lived at the old Coastguard Station in Ballintoy.
He worked a small quarry and burned Lime at Ballintoy for a period.
He was a fiddler who also made fiddles, and was a native of the Ballyclagh area.

Dan Morgan

Dan (1892 - 1947), who was born at Magheraboy, later farmed at Knockagarvan.
He was a fiddler who died single at the Fall Farm and was buried in Ballycastle.

Bob Morgan

Bob was a brother of the 'Rascal Magee', and lived at Goukstown, Drumnagessan.
He used to play the fiddle at fairs in Ballycastle, and may also have played the accordion.

Sam McFarlane

Sam was a Ballinlea shoemaker who lived at Straid for a time, but moved back to Ballinlea after he got married.
He was a fiddler and also gave lessons.

John ?

John was a keen fiddler who played at many country dances in his younger days.
He died at Ann Street, Ballycastle, in April 1962, aged 81. {Can anyone remember his surname}

Other Fiddlers of the area, for whom I have no details:

Henry Glass ~ Ballintoy
Mathew Johnston ~ Ballintoy
Simon Donnelly ~ Ballintoy
Daniel Orr ~ Ballintoy
Felix Lynn ~ Ballinlea
Charlie McLaughlin ~ Ballycastle (late C19th)
Peter Dallat ~ Ballycastle
Ned Dornan ~ Greenans
Hugh McSheaffery ~ Dervock or Novally
Adam Elliott ~ Kilraughts

North Antrim Fiddlers mentioned in Sam Henry’s ‘Songs of the People’ include:

Mathew Quinn ~ Ballymoney
James Wilkinson ~ Dunseverick
Michael McBride ~ Ballycastle
Sam Dunlop ~ Bushmills
John Elliot ~ Bushmills
James Kealey ~ Ballymoney ~ A great friend of Sean McLaughlin

If you can add any interesting information to my limited knowledge of those listed above,
Danny & myself would be delighted to recieve it.

Michael Costello has put together a fascinating website on ‘The legendary County Antrim fiddle maker Hugh Gordon’.

“His love of music led him to show a great interest in the strong tradition of Ulster Scots fiddle music in the South Antrim area which was frequently performed in the open air, particularly at fairs, markets and other social gatherings in neighbouring towns and villages such as Antrim, Crumlin, Glenavy, Lisburn, Ballyclare, Moira, Lurgan and of course, Belfast.”

Michael Costello playing on a Gordon violin.

Please visit ‘Michael Costello’s’ excellent site & learn much more about this extraordinary family, including some fascinating photographs:

A local hero who is still very much with us, up here in North Antrim, is Dominic McNabb

CD available at Glensmusic

Dominic McNabb is an Irish man with Scottish roots and his traditional fiddling has a unique lilting style which is typical of North Antrim.
He recently produced a CD & is accompanied on piano by Rose Murray and also by Sean Quinn on guitar and
keyboards, for a sparkling selection of Jigs,Reels, Hornpipes and Airs.

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Johnny Murphy

CD available at Glensmusic

Young Johnny Murphy is one of the up & coming stars of the local Fiddle scene, with a recently released CD under his belt, 'Tuned In', he plays with fire & passion & a degree of skill which reflects some of the excellent tutors he has had the sense to take advantage of as he has matured as a Fiddle player.

Johnny is more of a Mid-Antrim player, but he plays a lot of his Fiddle music these days in North Antrim so certainly deserves a mention here.
His teachers over the years have included Cahal Kerr, Maebh McKeown & Sean McGuire, while local players who have influenced & inspired him include Dominic McNabb, Ciaran Mulholland, Denis Sweeney & Walter Hutchinson.

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Causeway Music Home Page

2nd Causeway Dulcimer Festival
Bushmills, Co. Antrim, Ulster
2nd to 4th June - 2006

[Nat Magee's copy of John Rea's Dulcimer]
[Photo by Rick Davis]

Patron - Hector MacDonnell Glenarm Castle Co. Antrim


North Antrim Fiddlers Dick Glasgow, Kathleen Smith & John Hughes at Fiddle Talk ~ CDF05 [Photo ~ Jenny Coxon] The Causeway Dulcimer Festival promotes the Fiddle playing of North Antrim too. North Antrim fiddling is interesting in that the fiddlers of the area received as much, if not more, inspiration from Scottish traditional musicians than they did from Irish fiddlers. This is evident in their reportoire and style, e.g. Scottish marches and flings would be far more popular here than in most other areas of Ireland and the style of playing is a slower, plainer, less flamboyant approach to the music. A style which is also reflected in the traditional singing of the North. This page is dedicated to some well known, & some not so well known, local worthies, who deserve our recognition, for these colourful characters made, & thankfully in some cases still continue to make, our little corner a richer & more interesting place to live. I mention around 40 local fiddle players, who were active in living memory, which indicates just how popular traditional music was in North Antrim. In the days before the TV, traditional dances were very popular, and fiddle and accordion players would play in all manner of Parish & Orange Halls throughout North Antrim, back in those halcyon days when traditional music was not the property of one community alone, but was rightly enjoyed and practiced by all, as a shared legacy and heritage as part of everyone’s culture. Perhaps this page will encourage more musicians to take an interest in the fiddle playing of North Antrim, and our new festival help everyone in North Antrim to appreciate and embrace their musical traditions. Dick Glasgow Fiddling in The Smugglers Inn, Bushmills [Photo Art Ward] *** * * * * * * * *** If you can add any interesting information to my limited knowledge of those Fiddlers listed below, I would be delighted to recieve it. Also, if you can recommend anyone else for inclusion in this local hall of fame, please feel free to e-mail the information to me, including photographs, if possible, & I will happily add their story. * * * * * * * * * John McLaughlin John, or Sean as he preferred to be called in later life, was easily the most famous fiddler to come from North Antrim. He was from Armoy, and was known far and wide for his many recordings and even won the All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Competition on at least one occasion. When he was nine he acquired his first violin and was soon in demand for playing at local Ceilidhs. He learned much of his early music from Ballymoney Fiddler James Kealy. During the 2nd World War Sean fought with the 1st Battallion of Royal Ulster Rifles. After the war he came home to Armoy but had to head to England again, looking for work. In 1957, back home, he won the All-Ireland Senior Fiddle competition, which was in Longford that year. His opponents that year were Sean Gallagher from Donegal and Sean O’Laughlin from Clare. He was last to play and after playing, was asked to stand at the back of the stage while the other two competitors were asked to play again. The audience assumed that Sean had been placed third and that the other two competitors were being asked to play again to decide first & second place, but in fact Sean McLaughlin was the Champion, much to the delight of the crowd. He was from Armoy and was a great friend of that other legendary Antrim fiddler Sean McGuire R. I. P. As well as being an excellent Fiddler he also composed a number of lovely tunes like ‘McLaughlin’s Dream’, ‘Golden Shadows’ and McLaughlin’s Lament’. He was a fine painter too and most local folk remember him by his nickname ~ 'The Shadow'. Joe Holmes Joe holmes was one of Antrim’s finest ever Fiddlers, Singers and Lilters, who’s brother Harry, brought him a Fiddle home from France, after the First War, and many’s a good night they had round the fire at their Killyrammer home, before Harry sailed for Canada. FAREWELL TO BALLYMONEY AND COUNTY ANTRIM TOO, LIKEWISE FAREWELL DEAR MOLLY I BID YOU A FOND ADIEU, AMERIKAY LIES FAR AWAY ACROSS THE OCEAN BLUE, I AM BOUND FOR THERE DEAR MOLLY AND AGAIN I’LL NE’ER SEE YOU. Apparently a regular visitor with Joe was an Armoy man by the name of John McAfee, who was a singer, and a Fiddler too? Joe’s house was a ‘Ceili-house’ and they regularly had a four hand reel, or a set of lancers stepped out nicely on their kitchen floor. Joe had two neighbour girls too, who sang a duet about a rich girl who fell in love with a sailor-boy. MY LOVE HE IS A SAILOR BOLD HIS AGE IS SCARCE SIXTEEN, HE IS THE FINEST YOUNG MAN THAT EVER YOU HAVE SEEN, MY FATHER HE HAS RICHES GREAT, BUT REILLY HE IS POOR, AND BECAUSE I LOVE MY SAILOR LAD HE CANNOT ME ENDURE. Were you one of those Killyrammer girls, or does anyone remember who the two were, who sang this duet? In those far off days, they had lots of special occasions, which were good excuses for a good Ceili of songs, music and dancing. Events like Lint-pullings, Country-dances, Churns etc. Can anyone remember those? I’d love to hear what actually went on at a Lint-pulling or a Churn. Another special event was the Christmas Rhymers, when a group went round the houses performing a little play. Joe usually played the Doctor, but there were other characters too, like Saint George of England, St. Patrick and the Turkey Champion (now that sounds like an ideal role for Dunloy’s Damian McKee! ). Does anyone remember being part of one of those groups, or even just being visited by them? HERE COMES I ST. PATRICK IN SHINING ARMOUR BRIGHT, A FAMOUS CHAMPION AND WORTHY NIGHT, WHAT WAS ST. GEORGE BUT ST PATRICKS BOY, WHO FED HIS HORSE ON OATS AND HAY, AND AFTERWARDS HE RAN AWAY. On leaving school at 14, Joe’s first job was to carry the red flag in front of the steam-roller, and he would follow it around the countryside all week in a caravan, and take his Fiddle too. Some of his old Fiddle favourites included The Boys of Ballycastle, The Blackberry Blossom, Royal Charlie, Wellington’s Medal and Rodney’s Glory. I’m sure many Fiddle and Fife men out there will recognise those tune names. Joe left the roads and went to Flax-scutching, first for a wee mill beside Killyrammer, and then into Milltown Mill, in Ballymoney. However, as anyone who has been involved in that work will tell you, it is not very healthy, and Joe’s last job was out in the fresh air again, as a green-keeper for Ballymoney Bowling club. Joe latterly lived at Chestnut Grove in the town, but sadly he died on January 5th, 1978, at the age of 71. I received a lovely letter from a neighbour and close friend of Joe’s, a man who was born only 100 yards from Joe’s house, in 1938. In his early years, this gentleman was a regular visitor to Joe’s house, and he tells me there were always Fiddlers calling in ‘for a tune’. He particularly remembers one fine Fiddler by the name of Adam Elliott from Kilraughts. He also remembers them talking of a Fiddler by the name of McAfee, who would have been John McAfee from Armoy, but unfortunately he has no memory of the Killyrammer girls, who apparently regularly sang at Joe’s house. This man, like Joe, did his own fair share of ‘Lint Pulling’, and he also worked for a time at ‘Henrys Mill’, and he remembers Joe’s brothers Davy and Jonnie, whom he described as being like Joe, “all fine men”. However, it seems he could never understand how Joe’s household could be bothered by so many folk calling round each night, for the music and crack. {Crack ~ from N E England, means fun} Stumpy McCloskey Stumpy McLuskey of Cloughmills was a wonderful character who was obviously out of the same mould that produced Joe Holmes, for he was a delightful singer and great Fiddle player too. There is a school of thought that says the surname Glasgow {my own} comes originally from McLoskey, which is not surprising when you consider how many words have been clearly anglicised over the years in this area. I must say though, I have heard a tape recording of Stumpy playing and singing and I would be delighted to be associated with his family name. Jim McGill Jim McGill was born in the townland of Ballinlea, which lies half way between Ballycastle and Bushmills, in the Causeway Coast region of north Antrim. He was a fine country Fiddler, and realising that no one was passing on the skills of Traditional Music to the younger generation locally, he decided to set about the task himself. For many years he taught kids from all around Ballinlea, Ballintoy & Ballycastle, visiting them in their own homes and passing on the music he loved so much, in order that others would still be playing, when he was not around to Fiddle for the local Ceili, concert or Pub Session. Sadly, Jim is no longer with us, but many of the kids Jim taught still play, and all are the richer for having had the the privilage of his tutoring, and the pleasure of his company. Because of all his great work with the local youngsters, I had no hesitation in naming my Music School in his honour. --------------------------------------------------------- Another rare local character was Michael McIlhatten, yes, he was the man Christy Moore sang about, a legend around the Glens of Antrim, for more than just Fiddling too - 'Still' that's another story! -------------------------------------------------------- Frank McCollam [ I wrote this piece for the Irish Music Magazine. ] That wonderful Hornpipe, ‘The Home Ruler’ is played & loved wherever there is Irish Music, which means everywhere. But, was it written by a Kerry man, composed in Clare, dreamed up in Sligo, or whittled out of bog oak in Donegal, any guesses? Well no, none of the above are true, it was in fact composed by a fine Fiddler, Frank McCollam, of Ballycastle, Co Antrim. Frank, who also had a passion for gardening, Bees, restoring old clocks, and ‘going to the Moss’, was a member of the local Ballinlea Pipe Band, but in later years, put the pipes aside to concentrate on the Fiddle. He also played the Accordion, but it’s his Fiddle playing most folk speak of around here, and musicians used to come from all over the place to ‘hae a tune wi’ Frank’. Indeed, that well known connoisseur of good tunes, Cathal McConnell was a regular visitor. It’s a fair old cycle from Fermanagh, so Frank, & his music, must have been well worth the jaunt. Frank himself, was well known all over Ireland, but two men whom he visited on a regular basis were Liam Donnelly, and Sean Ryan. Sean Ryan, a kindred spirit, and brilliant Fiddler himself, and Liam, who could read and write the music down, skills which Frank did not possess. Frank however had all the music he needed in his head, and if he was ever short of a tune, all he had to do was sit down and write a new one. When I first learned the tune, The Home Ruler, I quite naturally assumed, like many, that it was named with politics in mind. However, some years ago, I was chatting to Len Graham, another good friend of Franks, who put me straight. Frank in fact named the tune after his wife, Sally, and Frank’s daughter Catherine, later confirmed this by telling me how all the men then, used to refer to their wives as ‘The Home Ruler’. The version I have for you here, I learned from another Ballycastle man, Franks star pupil, Chris McCormick. Chris learned his Fiddle playing, and of course this tune, from Frank, so this is the way Frank would have played it. A little different perhaps, from the very fine version recorded by Noel Hill & Tony Linnane some years ago, on their brilliant LP. I’m sure there are many people who learned the tune from that recording, and no doubt they will be interested to see how it differs from the original concept. Frank often played The Home Ruler in a set with ‘The Hangman’s Noose’, another of his own hornpipes. Frank had John McNaughton in mind when he named this tune, for John, a Bushmills man, was found guilty in 1761, of murdering his lover, and sentenced to hang. However, when they carried out the sentence the rope snapped, so they had to hang him again. Legend has it that he was offered a pardon, but refused it, saying he could not go through life being known as ‘Half hanged McNaughton’. Personally speaking you can call me anything you like, just don’t stretch my neck! Another of Frank’s excellent compositions, the reel ‘Catherine Marie’, now often called ‘Kate Marie’, can also be heard wherever good tunes are played. This tune Frank named after his daughter, who now lives in Dublin, so if you happen to meet up with Catherine in one of Dublin’s fine hostelries, I recommend you buy her a drink, and toast the life of a great composer, and fine musician from Ballycastle, Co.Antrim, - Frank McCollam. by Dick Glasgow . ---------------------------------------- Dusty Rhodes James Stoddard Moore, the local Poet 'Dusty Rhodes', was born in Cushendall in 1844, the son of an Edinburgh man (well all the best people are!) and a local lass. His parents died before he was fifteen, and soon after, he became a sailor and travelled the seven seas, worked as a Goldminer in California and was a soldier in India, Afghanistan and Malta. When he returned to Ireland however, he worked as a farm labourer around Cushendall & Ballintoy but as he grew older he became a tramp, which was very common in those days. Most of his poetry was written during the years he wandered the local roads, and he would give the poems to local farmers in return for board and lodgings, or for a few shillings. Some were published in the Northern Constitution, the local publication which printed so much of Sam Henry's collected songs. He lived with his second wife, for a number of years in Dunlop Street, Coleraine, but settled, after many years on the road, in Mill Street, Ballycastle, with his third wife, and died in 1939 at the ripe old age of 96. He clearly had plenty to write poetry about, what with his foreign travels and romantic lifestyle, not to mention his long healthy life, and of course, his three wives. Thanks to Sean Traynor, who wrote to tell me the following tale about Dusty: "My Great Aunt was born in Prolusk in 1905. My Dad was born at Carnsampson in 1931, Ballycastle. When I was young he was always telling me off for playing my music too loud, saying that I would get the same treatment as what I thought was "Dusty Roads". One day when he was talking about his childhood I asked what the saying was about and he told me that Dusty wouldn't stop playing his fiddle in a neighbours house ( I think at a wake) and he got chased from the house with a broom. I don't know if anybody else has mentioned the tale? " If you would like to read one of Dusty's Poems, then visit my Rhymes page. ----------------------------------- Sam Stevenson Sam was born, lived, worked, married, reared his family and died within sight of Slemish Mountain, and he was intensely proud of his Braid Valley. A County Antrim man through & through, he loved the violin with a passion, & as a Fiddle player was a founder member of the 'Antrim & Derry Fiddlers Association'. He was also a lifelong friend, & playing companion, of such other local greats as Sean McGuire, Jim McKillop, Dennis Sweeney, & perhaps his closest musical friend in his latter years, Meave McKeon. Sam's love of the Violin went further than most, for he wasn't content just to play beautiful music on the instrument, he also went on to make Fiddles himself, & in fact his fiddles, Violas & Cellos are played all over Ireland, England & on the continent. Sam was so well known that enthusiasts from all over the world came to see him in his garden workshop, & when Terry Wogan went looking for a fiddle maker to feature on his series on Ireland, he came to Sam Stevenson. Sam enjoyed entertaining with the Antrim & Derry Fiddlers, & although he really enjoyed playing Irish Music, he also loved Scottish Music with a passion. He had great respect for the skill & technique of players like McGuire & McKillop, but there was a certain twinkle in his eye when he talked of Shetland's own Willie Hunter, who was indeed a master of the Slow Air. Sam also loved to quote Fritz Kriesler, the great violinist, who once said 'Tone is in the man, a great instrument simply makes it easier'. He came to Ballycastle for me on one occasion, to demonstrate to my students the art of Fiddle making, & his enthusiasm was infactious. Over the last few years of his life, he repaired dozens of local Fiddles & Bows for me. At his service of thanksgiving, his son-in-law, John Dooris, was the organist and Jim McKillop played some of Sam's favourite music on Fiddle. A fine tribute to Sam was read out by his friend Michael Sayers, & even the minister, the Rev. W. Dickie, had a Fiddle tale to tell about Sam, & produced his own Family Fiddle, which Sam had skilfully reconstructed. He was a great man who is sadly missed. Dick Glasgow This is an extract from 'A Tribute to Sam Stevenson', an article I wrote for my regular 'Moyle Tradition' column, for the 'Moyle Newsletter'. ---------------------------------- John McGill John McGill lived at 71 Ann Street, Ballycastle, above the famous 'Hell's Kitchen' venue, and right across the road from another great Ballycastle musician, Frank McCollam. He was a coachbuilder to trade, and served his time in the early 1900's with Mr. Harry Porter of John Street, Ballymoney, but his hobby was making Violins. While attending a cinema, he saw, in a news reel, (remember them! Pathe etc!) a Fiddle made of Perspex and decided to have a go himself. He took celluloid as his medium and built a Fiddle made almost entirely of it, salvaged from the wreckage of a Canadian plane, which crashed in Glenshesk in Dec. 1943, with only the neck, strings and belly rib being made of other materials. John also made Fiddles from Irish Lancewood, aircraft wreckage, tin and mahogany from old landaulets. He also built Banjos. In his youth, John was a well kent figure with his Fiddle, at local country dances. ---------------------------------- Dan O'Loan Dan O'Loan, a Glensman, was a famous Fiddler in his day. He was not only a fine musician, but he had other strings to his bow, like being a Carpenter and excellent Fiddle maker, who also made Boats and Furniture. At the height of his musical career he also made a radio programme, which is now, unfortunately, lost in the archives. Dan had nine of a family and most of his sons were musical, playing Fiddles and Banjos, however, as so often happens, the musical genes skipped the next generation, and as Angela Bonnar, Dan's granddaughter so eloquently put it, " ..the most musical thing in our house was a Singer sewing machine! Thankfully, the music emerged again with a vengeance, in the present generation, through the wonderful musical talents of Jayne & Riona Bonnar, great granddaughters of Dan. The girls were encouraged by their parents, especially Dad Danny, who, as a youth, was a member of a local Folk Group 'Fadge', who played the Pub Scene around Ballycastle & the Glens. Younger daughter Jayne's musical career began at the age of seven when she asked, out of the blue, for a Fiddle. It didn't take Riona long to follow suit, and thankfully Jim McGill was on hand to guide the girls carefully onto the first rungs of their musical ladder. After Jim passed on, the girls had a number of Tutors including Dennis Sweeney, myself, local classical tutors Kate Keenan and Mrs Darling, and finally the one and only Sean McGuire recognised their talents, and took the girls under his wing. It's a pity Dan hadn't been around to witness the girls musical development, especially as they both now proudly play Fiddles made by Dan himself. This is another extract from an article I wrote for my regular 'Moyle Tradition' piece, for the 'Moyle Newsletter'. --------------------------------------------------------- Other Local Fiddle Players { My special thanks to Ballycastle Historian, Danny Morgan, for the following information: } Jamie Benson Wee Jamie, as he was known, lived in a small house at Islandmacallion, and often visited Ballycastle. Jamie was a full time fiddler, playing at fairs and in people's houses. He was married, and his wife bred Pomeranians as a source of income. Jamie also gave Fiddle lessonsin his home, but this wasn't easy, with the barking of the dogs! The couple had no children. Jamie is recalled as a well dressed man, who was hard to understand, given his accent. A photo of Jamie appears in "Irish Traditional Music" p 55. He is shown playing in Ann Street, Ballycastle, 1904. Johnny Crawford (Senior) Johnny lived at the Brig-End, on the Bushmills line, and was a well known fiddler, who also made a number of fiddles. Johnny gave fiddle lessons, and the late Frank McCollam received his first lessons from Johnny. Frank Simpson Frank was a Mosside postman, a former soldier, and a keen angler. Frank regularly played the fiddle in the Laydside Tavern, Mosside, and his favoured music on the Fiddle was Country and Western music. It was also fascinating to learn that 'Essie’s' was a popular place for folk to hear music and Scots and Irish Ballads being sung around the open fire. Jack McDuff Jack was a native of Ballymoney and worked as a fireman on the Narrow Guage, but retired in June 1950, when the line closed. He lived on Rathlin Road and was a good fiddler, who is believed to have composed some tunes. He was also a gifted craftsman who could make a dresser and repair boots. Barry Limerick Barry was a driver on the Narrow Guage line and lived in Ballycastle for about five years. When the line closed in June 1950, Barry transferred to the main line. He was a noted fiddler and gave lessons on the instrument. Three of his pupils were Dominic McNabb, Mary & Annie Clarke. The Clarkes had a bar in Anne Street, O'Connors. Dan Blue Dan lived at Gortconny, before he emigrated to America, possibly Chicago. Before leaving, he sold his fiddle to Dan Wilkinson. Dan Wilkinson Dan was a Ballintoy fiddler, who is said to have played the instrument behind his back on occasion. Pat Gillan Pat had a small holding at Lem-nagh. It was a good ceilidh house. His nephew, Pat McMullan has his fiddle. Johnny McAleese Johnny was a traditional singer and fiddler, who used to accompany a Melodeon player at the cross road dances at Croagh in the 1920's. Johnny was a thatcher who worked for some time in the gas works at Port Glasgow, before returning home. The late Frank Kane, Islandranny, got many of his songs from Johnny. Daniel McGowan Daniel, a fiddler from Broughgammon, was known as The Poet. His son Daniel, also called The Poet, was also a fiddler and played at dances in Cloughcorr School. Alex Morgan Alex (1877 - 1964) was born in Maghera. He was a fisherman and married May McKillen in 1910. He was a fiddler, was the grandfather of Danny Morgan, and died, Leyland Road, Ballycastle. Willie Morgan Willie was born in 1900, in Port Glasgow, and his parents returned to Magheracastle, about three years later. Willie was a fiddler who played at dances in Cloughcorr School. He emigrated to Los Angeles. Willie McGill Willie, of Prolusk, died at the age of 32 (C 1912) after a botched appendix opperation, in an American hospital. He was a well known fiddler, who had been home on holidays just 6 months previously. Willie Weir Willie stayed at Tenaghs, Glenshesk, where he died unmarried. Willie was a fiddler and a singer, who could imitate bird song. He was also a good actor who acted in a number of local productions. Randal McDonnell Randal was a brother of Jamie McDonnell the contractor. He used to perform at dances held in Greenans School, Glenshesk. He played the pipes, melodeon, fiddle and mouth organ. Cassie McHenry Cassie, and her brother Mick McHenry who played the accordion, lived at Torr. They used to play at the dances on the night of the Torr Regatta, which ceased in the early 1930's. Lawrence McHenry is a nephew. Johnny McAfee Johnny was an Armoy fiddler, who used to play in Fisher's Pub in Castle Street, now B. Curry's. Johnny used to play "The Cargan Lammas Fair". One night, a drunk who was critical of his playing, took the fiddle from him and smashed it. You can see a photo of John McAfee fiddling at the 'Dervock Fair' on page xxxiii of Sam Henry’s 'Songs of the People'. Andy McGoogan Andy lived at the old Coastguard Station in Ballintoy. He worked a small quarry and burned Lime at Ballintoy for a period. He was a fiddler who also made fiddles, and was a native of the Ballyclagh area. Dan Morgan Dan (1892 - 1947), who was born at Magheraboy, later farmed at Knockagarvan. He was a fiddler who died single at the Fall Farm and was buried in Ballycastle. Bob Morgan Bob was a brother of the 'Rascal Magee', and lived at Goukstown, Drumnagessan. He used to play the fiddle at fairs in Ballycastle, and may also have played the accordion. Sam McFarlane Sam was a Ballinlea shoemaker who lived at Straid for a time, but moved back to Ballinlea after he got married. He was a fiddler and also gave lessons. John ? John was a keen fiddler who played at many country dances in his younger days. He died at Ann Street, Ballycastle, in April 1962, aged 81. {Can anyone remember his surname} Other Fiddlers of the area, for whom I have no details: Henry Glass ~ Ballintoy Mathew Johnston ~ Ballintoy Simon Donnelly ~ Ballintoy Daniel Orr ~ Ballintoy Felix Lynn ~ Ballinlea Charlie McLaughlin ~ Ballycastle (late C19th) Peter Dallat ~ Ballycastle Ned Dornan ~ Greenans Hugh McSheaffery ~ Dervock or Novally Adam Elliott ~ Kilraughts North Antrim Fiddlers mentioned in Sam Henry’s ‘Songs of the People’ include: Mathew Quinn ~ Ballymoney James Wilkinson ~ Dunseverick Michael McBride ~ Ballycastle Sam Dunlop ~ Bushmills John Elliot ~ Bushmills James Kealey ~ Ballymoney ~ A great friend of Sean McLaughlin If you can add any interesting information to my limited knowledge of those listed above, Danny & myself would be delighted to recieve it. Michael Costello has put together a fascinating website on ‘The legendary County Antrim fiddle maker Hugh Gordon’. “His love of music led him to show a great interest in the strong tradition of Ulster Scots fiddle music in the South Antrim area which was frequently performed in the open air, particularly at fairs, markets and other social gatherings in neighbouring towns and villages such as Antrim, Crumlin, Glenavy, Lisburn, Ballyclare, Moira, Lurgan and of course, Belfast.” Michael Costello playing on a Gordon violin. Please visit ‘Michael Costello’s’ excellent site & learn much more about this extraordinary family, including some fascinating photographs: A local hero who is still very much with us, up here in North Antrim, is Dominic McNabb CD available at Glensmusic Dominic McNabb is an Irish man with Scottish roots and his traditional fiddling has a unique lilting style which is typical of North Antrim. He recently produced a CD & is accompanied on piano by Rose Murray and also by Sean Quinn on guitar and keyboards, for a sparkling selection of Jigs,Reels, Hornpipes and Airs. --------------------------------------------------------- Johnny Murphy CD available at Glensmusic Young Johnny Murphy is one of the up & coming stars of the local Fiddle scene, with a recently released CD under his belt, 'Tuned In', he plays with fire & passion & a degree of skill which reflects some of the excellent tutors he has had the sense to take advantage of as he has matured as a Fiddle player. Johnny is more of a Mid-Antrim player, but he plays a lot of his Fiddle music these days in North Antrim so certainly deserves a mention here. His teachers over the years have included Cahal Kerr, Maebh McKeown & Sean McGuire, while local players who have influenced & inspired him include Dominic McNabb, Ciaran Mulholland, Denis Sweeney & Walter Hutchinson. *** * * * * * * * * European Registration Form E-mail Dick Glasgow Back to C D F Home Causeway Music Home Page**