Counties Antrim and Derry Country Fiddlers Association

08/09/2026

ICYMI - Registration this Saturday! 🎻

To allow the Teaching Team to fit new players for their fiddle sizes, we ask if possible for returning players to attend from 10-11am, and for new players to attend from 11am-12pm.

Please do spread the word - looking forward to seeing everyone 😀🎻

📆2026/27 Registration🎻

Registration for the 2026/27 session of classes will take place on Saturday 12th September from 11am - 12noon in The Braid Hub, Broughshane.

In-person registration is an excellent opportunity to meet the Teaching Team, get measured for a fiddle, and kick-start a new hobby!!

At CADCFA, we pride ourselves on providing a supportive learning environment for all ages and abilities. A group class setting is an excellent way to learn from others and feel encouraged by those around you! 🎻

Please get in touch with any queries; either here on Facebook or via email at [email protected] 📩

Love Ballymena We Are Broughshane

23/08/2026

📆2026/27 Registration🎻

Registration for the 2026/27 session of classes will take place on Saturday 12th September from 11am - 12noon in The Braid Hub, Broughshane.

In-person registration is an excellent opportunity to meet the Teaching Team, get measured for a fiddle, and kick-start a new hobby!!

At CADCFA, we pride ourselves on providing a supportive learning environment for all ages and abilities. A group class setting is an excellent way to learn from others and feel encouraged by those around you! 🎻

Please get in touch with any queries; either here on Facebook or via email at [email protected] 📩

Love Ballymena We Are Broughshane

18/08/2026

🎻Did you see us at the Fleadh? Are you interested in learning the fiddle?🎻

Registration for the 2026/27 academic year of classes is in just a few weeks!
If your child (or yourself as their parent/guardian!) is interested in learning the fiddle, there’s no better time than the present!

CADCFA is a charity whose mission is to preserve the art of Traditional fiddle playing; across generations.

We’re headed up by Maebh Bird, our Head of Music, who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise; and supports our Teaching Team who instruct our weekly group lessons.

If you are interested, or would like more details, please get in touch with us here via Facebook, or via email at [email protected]!

📆Be sure to keep an eye here on Facebook for information about our in-person registration day!

11/08/2026

🧡🌈Maggie’s Call🧡🌈

At the Gig Rig on Sunday, CADCFA performed a very special piece.

Maggie Black joined CADCFA fiddle lessons alongside her big sister Eimear and her mum Sheenagh. She was a beautiful, keen and bright girl with the most wonderful smile.

When Maggie passed away suddenly in December 2021, her family began campaigning for “Maggie’s Call” - an initiative that would mean the Fire Service could respond to emergency calls; particularly in rural areas with long waits for ambulances.

This beautiful piece is called “Maggie’s Call” and was composed by Seán Óg Graham of Portglenone; a member of Beoga. We played the piece as both an air and a march; and if you close your eyes and listen, you can picture a wee fairy wandering and dancing through the Glens 🌈🧚🏼‍♂️

It was an honour and privilege to play this piece in memory of Maggie - for the first time on a public stage. It’s so important to keep her memory and legacy alive 🧡🌈

10/08/2026

Incase you missed us…

We had an AMAZING time at the Gig Rig yesterday, on the closing day of Fleadh Cheoil! The crowds were unbelievable and the atmosphere was so special!

As part of our set, we performed ‘The Blue Hills of Antrim’ - an air that reflects the beauty of the Glens 🗻

We’ll post more snippets of our day - if you were there we’d love to see your pictures and videos! Tag us in them or pop them in the comments 🫶🏻🎻

09/08/2026

Heading to Fleadh Cheoil today? Catch us at the Gig Rig, infront of City Hall, today at 5pm!🎻

The weather definitely won’t dampen spirits - bring your brolly & come and enjoy what’s sure to be an amazing final day of the 2026 Fleadh.

Remember - if you see us on stage please tag us in your pictures and videos!🤳🏼

07/08/2026

🎻CADCFA @ Fleadh 2026🎻

We couldn’t not share this AMAZING piece, performed on Wednesday night at the Ard Ollamh Award Ceremony.

Featuring Georgia, Sarah and Cameron; this year’s Performance Diploma students, alongside Maebh - please enjoy their flawless rendition of Sean Maguire’s variation of the Mason’s Apron.

Learning a piece like this off by heart is certainly no mean feat - and to perform it in a room full of musical greats and dignitaries is an incredible achievement.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we (and the President of Ireland) did!

🎻 Fleadh Cheoil

07/08/2026

🎻CADCFA @ Fleadh 2026🎻

On Wednesday, the Counties Antrim & Derry Country Fiddlers Association (CADCFA) were honoured to receive a special Gradam award and 75th Anniversary Award Medallions from Comhaltas at a Banquet celebration meal at Belfast City Hall, during the Belfast Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
The event was attended by the President of Comhaltas, Labhrás Ó Murchú and the President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly.

The Gradam was presented by the President of Comhaltas in recognition of the enduring friendship and mutual vision that has fostered the longstanding relationship between CADCFA and Comhaltas.

Maebh Bird, Musical Director of CADCFA, accepted the Gradam on our behalf, and stated that she was, “truly honoured to accept this award on behalf of the CADCFA,” adding that, “this recognition celebrates the shared vision and common purpose that has united our organisations through traditional music.”

The acceptance was followed by a short performance by CADCFA which was warmly received by our hosts. It was an honour and privilege to bring music to a room full of such esteemed guests and fellow talented individuals from the Traditional music sphere.

Congratulations also to Rev. Gary Hastings on his receipt of the prestigious Ard Ollamh award! We all thoroughly enjoyed a few tunes from Gary himself, as well as some tunes alongside a long-time friend of CADCFA, Len Graham.

We look forward to our performance at the Gig Rig, this Sunday the 9th at 5pm!

03/08/2026

A reminder that you can catch us at the Gig Rig, on Sunday 9th August at 5pm @ the Fleadh! 🎻

If you’re there & watching, be sure to give us a cheer, and please tag us in any of your pictures and videos! 🤳🏼We’d love to see them! 🎻

26/07/2026

CADCFA are overjoyed to be performing at the Gig on the Rig on Sunday 9th August, the closing day of the Fleadh.
You can catch us at this wonderful event - our slot begins at 5pm! Follow the link to see the full programme of events.

Hope to see you there ☀️🎻