'Inishowen Uncovered: Further Strands of the Donegal Fiddle Tradition'

The Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal has a rich tradition of msuic, song and dance that is often forgotten and neglected while the so-called 'Donegal style' of the south and west of the county is highly promoted. This paper uncovers the richness of the instrumental tradition in Inishowen including the connections between the fiddle and the melodeon, the impact of Scottish style and repertoire on the local tradition and performance contexts for both music and dance. The Inihsowne style, as represented in the playing of prominent figures such as Dinny McLaughlin, Seamus Grant and Pat Mulhern, is examined and particular attention paid to the issue of labeling traditional music and the implications of this within the Inishowen/Donegal context.