Fiddler on the Road-1972

A lovely documentary made by Ulster Television in 1972 about the legendary fiddler and tinsmith from Ardara in County Donegal, Johnny Doherty where he travels to Carrick, Kilcar and Ardara.
The film is a real gem, describing the lives of the traveling families of Donegal in the early part of the century, their trade, their music, and particularly the Doherty family's place in the musical traditions of the countryside. It describes Doherty's life as a young man earning money playing traditional Irish music and American jazz until forced to return to his occupation of tinsmith as the music of the big bands grew in popularity. Not only does the film shine a welcome spotlight on a great fiddler and fascinating character, but offers a glimpse into a world that has all but disappeared in the four decades since it was made, and shows aspects of Donegal life that are all but memories. We see Doherty at his trade, working a sheet of tin as he talks of his occupation and his music; there are great

[@applemanuk]

What a wonderful social and musical history. The warmth of the people comes across in leaps and bounds.

[@gabrielkeown4620]

Very interesting branch of lrish history and lrish music too Brilliant

[@DrFrunJungler]

Love this documentary, have it on in the background when I’m having a few jars. The train between derry and Killybegs is like watching something from the future

[@dleetr]

nice document of living history whilst it was still living.

[@banjodeano2202]

brilliant video, thanks

[@sarahbyrne8501]

Lovely. Good job!

[@thornwarbler]

Thanks for this ..............Fantastic .............Cheers

[@mikekavanagh8952]

Excellent.

[@JohnHillEU]

Great content, can really learn a lot from this! Pity about the stabilisation artefacts while he's playing but I guess it has its charm as well. Will look forward to watching it through again

[@ianhester4527]

Johnny Doherty

[@ianhester4527]

The last tinker fiddler..

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

He doesn't sound like a traveller (no offence to him, nor to travellers in general).