This was my second, and Tina’s 18th, visit to:
The Fiddler’s Green International Festival at Rostrevor. (click to learn more)
Nestled below the Mountains of Mourne, this picturesque town becomes a hive of musical activity at the end of July every year.
Even the name has a romance about it. “Ros” is Irish, and means ‘wooded headland,” and the Welsh family of Sir Edward Trevor settled there in the early 1600s.
This festival attracts folkies from all over the world. I met people from Scotland, England, Germany, Norway and America (as well as me, from South Africa) to mention a few.
You know that I have been singing folk songs from all over the UK most of my life, and, last year – 2024, I cannot tell you the thrill of singing “The Mountains of Mourne” in the actual Mountains of Mourne.
We came across on the ferry, and as we travelled from Belfast to Rostrevor every signpost conjured up a song, and these echo as I type!
“She is the Belle of Belfast City”
“The October winds lament around the castle of Drumore”
“Near to Banbridge town in the County Down one morning in July.”
“So fare thee well to Carlingford, and farewell to Greenore.”
During the Festival, various free concerts take place in the town square. Other wonderful well attended concerts take place in larger venues throughout the town.
There are art exhibitions, walks, children’s activities – not to mention the Duck Derby in the Faerie Glen!
Almost every pub has a singing session, and some have special guest hours. We managed to get around to many of the happenings. Tina has become a well known character at the festival and was warmly greeted wherever we went, especially being invited to sing a song or two in the singarounds.
The wonderful musical Sands Family live nearby and they have been associated with the Festival for so many decades now that their children and grandchildren are now taking part, and to see these young people singing, playing instruments, and enjoying their musical tradition is a joy for me.
We had to leave this wonderful family festival for another year – but – we’ll be back!
