Sligo Town Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann supported by Sligo County Council host The Fiddler of Dooney Competition. It is always held over the October Bank Holiday weekend.
The 2023 Fiddler of Dooney is Ademar O Connor, from Edenderry, Co. Offaly. This was the fourth title Ademar won this year. In April he won the Fiddler of London. In August he became the Senior Fiddle Champion at Fleadh Cheoil na h-Éireann in Mullingar and last month he won the Ed Reavy Fiddle Competition in Cavan. For a young fiddle player to carry off four major titles in the one year is an extraordinary and unparalleled success in the annals of Irish fiddle playing.
The Ashling Muphy Memorial Scholarship to the week-long Scoil Éigse at Fleadh Cheoil na h-Éireann 2024 in Wexford was awarded to Ciara O Donnell, Rosslea, Co. Fermanagh.
Sligo Town CCE members, friends and an enthusiastic audience were once again treated to a wonderful display of excellent fiddle playing from many of Ireland’s talented young fiddle players at the 2023 Fiddler of Dooney. The standard of competition is always excellent with musicians travelling from far and wide to attend. The role of previous winners reads like a who's who of traditional fiddling and includes Matt Cranitch, Cathal Hayden, Bríd Harper, Liz Kane, Paddy Glacken, Seamus and Manus McGuire.
Winners of The Fiddler of Dooney Competition 2023
Junior Competition Winners
1st Place: Sarah Kelly, Co. Cork.
2nd Place: Seánna Donohoe, Co. Longford.
3rd Place: Senan Doyle, Co. Tyrone.
Senior Competition Winners
1st Place: Ademar O'Connor, Co. Offaly.
2nd Place: Aodh Mac Murchaidh, Co. Armagh.
3rd Place: Danú Mc Kinney, Co. Armagh.
