Fiddlers wanted at Rory Dolan's. Source: Google Images

William Butler Yeats first made us aware of the Fiddler of Dooney in his imaginative poem, but for aficionados of Irish music it has also been associated with being one of the top recognitions that can be bestowed on a fiddler since 1965.

The competition to proclaim a winner has been renewed in recent years under the ramped up Sligo Live program (www.sligolive.ie), and in this year of The Gathering they have reached over to New York to seek a candidate from the Big Apple to compete in Sligo town at the end of October.

A New York heat will be held at Rory Dolan’s on McLean Avenue in Yonkers on Sunday, September 29 at 3 p.m. for a senior representative (over 16) to contend this year.

The lucky winner will be given a round-trip ticket to Ireland to participate in the Fiddler of Dooney competition donated by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann which administers the Sligo Fiddler of Dooney affair.

Contestants will be asked for a $20 entrance fee, and the competition will be open to the general public and free but a raffle will be held onsite to help defray further expenses for the traveling hopeful.

Next year it is hoped that both a senior and junior (under 16) contestant can be chosen for participation.

No prior registration is necessary.