Tag Archives: River McGann

Talented Clare musician, River McGann, will be the focus on this Friday evenings episode of Nationwide on RTÉ 1 television at 7pm. Indeed, the programme will be very Ennis dominated, as Ennis presenter Zainab Boladale has been sent to speak to her fellow townie as he prepares to perform at this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford. Earlier this year, River won the title of The Fiddler of London, a hugely prestigious award in the fiddling world. “I have never been as happy as I am now,” he said after winning. “There were a couple of names I was expecting him [the judge] to say when he was calling the winner, and mine was definitely not one of those names. Everybody was so incredibly good. “I have never been as happy as I am. It’s very surreal. It’s a legend of trad music to win Fiddler of London so this is just crazy. It still hasn’t set in and …

“I HAVE never been as happy as I am now,” talented 17-year-old River McGann tells us as he celebrates being crowned ‘Fiddler of London 2024’ at the weekend. There was success on the double for Clare in the prestigious international competition with Doora-Barefield teenager Jack Dilleen also being named ‘Up and Coming Fiddler of London’. The musicians both travelled to London at the weekend where they showcased their talents at the Fiddler of London Festival taking place across two days at the London Irish Centre. River was among 12 finalists who took to the stage at the festival’s grand final on Saturday night. Judge Donál O’Connor praised River for demonstrating “a uniquely individualistic, creative, stylistic and confident demonstration of fiddling beyond his young years.” Speaking to The Clare Champion River says he was stunned to take the overall title of ‘Fiddler of London’. “There were a couple of names I was expecting him to say when he was calling the …

An Ennis teenage musician is to be honoured with an international award in one of the world’s most prestigious fiddle competitions, the Fiddler of London. Seventeen year old River McGann struck the right chord with the judges and has been named ‘Up and Coming Fiddler of London 2024’. He is set to travel to the awards ceremony in London this April where he will perform at the gala final during the Fiddler of London festival. Speaking to The Clare Champion, River tells us he was in shock when he received the email telling him he had scooped the major award. “I had sent in my entry and I didn’t know how long I’d have to wait to get an email back, he said. “It was midterm and my Mam had dropped the kids to school and I was at home minding the baby. I just checked my phone, I’d got into the habit of checking my email just in case, …