Fergal Scahill

Fergal Scahill is a Galway based multi-instrumentalist and one of the most renowned fiddlers in Irish music today. Coming from a rich musical background Fergal was immersed in Irish music from the start. At the tender age of 5 he took to the stage with Galway folk theatre group, Siamsa, playing bodhran and tin whistle and even doing some Irish dancing! Soon after he turned his hand to the fiddle and this quickly became his main focus.

Throughout his youth he was awarded numerous musical accolades winning All-ireland titles on bodhran, drums and collectively as part of groups and ceili bands. In 2002 he won the much coveted Senior All-Ireland Fiddle competition. Fergal has performed and recorded with Kevin Crawford, Martin O’Connor, Sean Keane, The Brock McGuire Band, Michael Rooney & June McCormack, Enda Scahill, The David Munnelly Band, Ragus, Celtic Legends and Stockton’s Wing.

Fergal’s two solo albums The Dusty Bridge and Wayfaring are among the very best Irish fiddle albums available. With Sean McCarthy, and David Howley, he cofounded “Freewheel”, a Galway based trio who toured extensively throughout Germany and France and recorded two albums, “Freewheel”, and “Going Nowhere Fast”. Fergal is now a full time member of We Banjo 3 and enjoys his role as the “gentleman” of the band – a gentleman being defined as someone who is able to play the banjo, but has the good manners not to! “Fergal’s music reflects his personality; it’s full of innovation, enthusiasm and fun. It is intense, fiery and frenetic and at the same time playful” IKTradFolk