Music of Healing

“The music of healing”, which now also has a prelude event happening earlier in the day, takes its inspiration and title from a song of that name, written by Tommy Sands, and the late Pete Seeger. It has been at the heart of Fiddlers Green for 30 years and is always one of the highlights of the Festival.

Tommy, in the company of singers and musicians, welcomes guests, often with very diverse political or religious views to pursue a higher quality of disagreement, in the furthering of better understanding and reconciliation. This special event, born at a time when it was often unsafe to publicise the names of invited guests, has continued with the tradition of privacy, so we all look forward to finding out who will be here. 

Rumours might suggest that one of the best-known icons associated with change in our Northern/North of Ireland world may be in attendance but the definite clue is… it will be night to remember.

The Creative Arts Award was established at the turning of the century and acknowledges noted achievements in the field of arts, literacy and culture, all of which are an integral part of the Fiddlers Green festival. The coveted trophy was crafted by leading Irish sculptor Carolyn Mulholland and was first awarded to the late Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney in the year 2000. 

This year of 2024, our very special recipient is Linda Ervine MBE, Manager of Turas, an Irish Language project in East Belfast and co-founder of Scoil na Seolta, an integrated, Irish-medium primary and nursery school.

Often in the past our cultural traditions and languages have become blockages between our Communities. Linda’s research and life’s work, however, would suggest that our indigenous language can provide the building blocks for a shared future, not only within this island but between these islands.

We will speak to Linda about her life’s journey towards these conclusions and perhaps get a song from her talented husband, playwright and former head of the Progressive Unionist Party, Mr Brian Ervine.

Previous recipients of the Creative Arts Award 

2023 – Archie Fisher

2022 – Iarla Ó Lionaird

2019 –  Peggy Seeger 

2018 – Pádraigin Ní Uallacháin

2017 – Shay Healy 

2016 – Mickey McConnell 

2015 – Quiet Meadow Makers

2014 – Martin Lynch 

2013 – Bill Whelan 

2012 – John Sheehan 

2011 – Liam Ó Maonlaí 

2010 – Tom Paxton 

2000 – Siubhan Ó Duibhain

2008 – Pete Seeger 

2007 – Steve Cooney 

2006 – Ralph McTell 

2005 – Micheál Ó Suilleabhain

2004 – Tom Newman 

2003 – Liam Clancy 

2002 – Tony McCauley 

2001 – John B Vallely 

2000 – Seamus Heaney