Downpatrick tin whistler Patrick Cassidy has released a new CD to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Fiddler’s Green Folk Festival in Rostrevor.
Patrick said: “I’m just following my musical passion in Irish music and the tin whistle and decided to make a CD of Irish and Scottish airs, to mark this great milestone in our local folk history. I’ve attended the Fiddler’s Green Folk Festival for many years and think it is one of the most exciting events in our annual calendar.
“After my first album called ‘Whistles at the Glen Colmcille in Donegal) I felt that I had to follow up with another CD so I’ve put together my latest rendition of folk airs.
“I have a real affinity with the tunes in the latest CD. And after months of sessions throughout Ireland and beyond, with a pinnacle performance at the Folk Festival at Portsoy in North Scotland in 2015. It was then that I decided it was time to go for my second album.
“Having met some wonderful Scottish folk musicians such as Paul Anderson on fiddle and Kenny Hadden on flute and whistles), I thought that it would be a good idea to incorporate both traditions of airs together into the one album.
“I’ve been lucky to have received advice from world famous Mary Bergin (whistles) and Joannie Madden (whistles and flute), but on a local note, I’ve managed to bring on board musicians such as Adrian Doyle from Downpatrick who plays mandolin and bodhran, and Liam Cooper from Rostrevor on fiddle, to bring out this second album called:
Click link to watch You Tube video: The String and Whistle at Fiddlers Green.
“Rostrevor is a wonderful place for music especially this year for its 30th year of the Fiddler’s Green Festival. I have enjoyed many wonderful music sessions there. The festival has attracted many to the top names from around the world.
“With the latest social media applications such as Facebook and Twitter, it is great to be able to showcase the increasingly vibrant traditional and folk music scene. I would like to thank all my friends and fellow musicians for helping me to make this fantastic journey possible.
“I play at music events such as pre-weddings, funerals, private special occasions, corporate events, etc. Please check out my Facebook page for further details,” added Patrick.
Patrick’s CD can be purchased at the Down County Museum and in the St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick.
He will be performing at the launch of the Irish and European Food Festival in the Museum in Downpatrick on Friday 24th June.
