Sean Maguire Ómós 

Celebrating a musician whose dazzling virtuosity and restless musical imagination both captivated audiences and, on occasion, nettled the fundamentalists, this concert pays tribute to the Belfast fiddle master who refused to be confined, an artist whose style was as sophisticated as it was unmistakable, rooted in tradition yet never bound by it. 

 This year’s line-up brings together some of the finest musicians in traditional music, Dezi Donnelly, Bríd Harper, Cathal Hayden, Nollaig Casey, Brian Conway, Kathleen Boyle, Seamie O’Dowd, & The Northern Counties Fiddle Society, artists who share Maguire’s appetite for nuance, risk and musical possibility. 

Expect an evening of fiery fiddling that moves effortlessly between precision and abandon, lyricism and lift, music that honours the tradition while quietly stretching its boundaries, just as Maguire himself did. 

A highlight of the Belfast TradFest, this concert is not simply a remembrance, but a reaffirmation: that the tradition is at its most alive when it is questioned, shaped and reimagined. 

Dezi Donnelly 

A Manchester-based fiddle player, Dezi Donnelly is one of the most dynamic performers of his generation and a former All-Ireland Young Traditional Musician of the Year. A founding member of Toss the Feathers, he has collaborated with artists including Sharon Shannon and Michael McGoldrick. His acclaimed album Familiar Footsteps is widely regarded as a modern classic. 

Bríd Harper 

Bríd Harper is one of the leading fiddle players of her generation, from near Castlefinn, Co. Donegal. An All-Ireland champion, she won Senior All-Ireland, Fiddler of Dooney and Oireachtas na Gaeilge titles in 1988. Renowned for her deeply expressive Donegal style, she has toured internationally and is highly respected as a performer and teacher. 

Cathal Hayden 

Cathal Hayden is a fiddle and banjo player from Co. Tyrone, widely regarded as one of the foremost musicians of his generation. An All-Ireland champion on both instruments, he is a long-time member of Four Men and a Dog. He has toured globally and recorded extensively, bringing Irish traditional music to international audiences. 

Nollaig Casey 

Nollaig Casey is one of Ireland’s most gifted and versatile musicians, equally at home in traditional and classical music. A founder member of Coolfin and long-time collaborator with Dónal Lunny, she has performed worldwide and featured on major recordings and film scores. Known for her distinctive tone, she has worked with artists including Enya, Van Morrison and Sinéad O’Connor. 

Brian Conway 

Brian Conway is one of the leading Irish-American fiddlers of his generation, renowned for his masterful Sligo-style playing. An All-Ireland champion, his music combines technical brilliance with deep-rooted tradition. Based in New York, he performs widely and is highly regarded as both a performer and teacher. 

Kathleen Boyle 

Kathleen Boyle is a Glasgow-born musician from a family steeped in the Donegal tradition, and an All-Ireland champion on piano accordion. She was the first graduate to earn a degree in traditional music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. A member of Cherish the Ladies since 2005, she has performed worldwide at major venues and events. 

Seamie O’Dowd 

Seamie O’Dowd is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer from Co. Sligo, known for his work across traditional, folk and contemporary music. A former member of Dervish, he has collaborated with artists including Christy Moore and The Chieftains. His career spans over four decades in performance, recording and teaching. 

Johnny Murphy Fiddle Group / Northern Counties Fiddle Society 

The Northern Counties Fiddle Society, based in Ballymena, is a community-led group dedicated to the teaching and performance of Irish and Scottish fiddle music. Led by renowned teacher and violin maker Johnny Murphy, a pupil of Seán Maguire, the group emphasises the distinctive fiddle tradition of North Antrim. With a strong cross-community ethos, it brings together players of all ages to sustain and develop the region’s musical heritage.