BERNIE McNulty, chairwoman of Belleek CCE, is looking forward to the 10th and final John Joe Gordon Traditional Music festival this weekend, taking place from tomorrow (Friday) until Sunday.

This event continues to recognise the legacy left behind by the master fiddle player.

John Joe Gordon was born in 1928 and passed away in 2002 – he was the youngest of seven children, born to Mary and John James Gordon, who worked a small farm in the townland of Drumcully, which lies halfway between Belleek and Belcoo.

This year will see many musical legends in Belleek including Ben Lennon, Dessie O Halloran, Danny Meehan, John Daly, Kevin Abeyta to name but a few.

The fiddle recital at 8.30pm in the Black Cat Pub on Friday night will open the weekend in style.

All musicians welcome to the open session afterwards to what is guaranteed to be a great start to the weekend.

Saturday is a busy day starting with a lunchtime session and fiddle workshop in the Fiddlestone.

Anthony Gordon and friends will entertain downstairs in the Fiddlestone while John Daly will take the fiddle masterclass upstairs at 2pm.

Born in Burnfort, County Cork in 1963, John Daly learned the fiddle at age 12 from Limerick music teacher, Sean O’Carroll.

He was introduced to Kerry fiddle player Johnny Cronin by his father in the 80s, and became interested in the playing of Andy McGann from New York and Longford man Paddy Reynolds.

In the late 80s, he became aware of Shetland fiddle master, Willie Hunter, who became his strongest influence in the playing of Scottish and Shetland slow airs.

John has performed in concerts and conducted workshops in Iceland, Scotland, the Shetland Islands, the UK, France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

He lived in Chicago for several years, where he made his first solo recording.

Anthony is one of the Belleek branch weekly music class teachers and the youngest son of John Joe – a great musician and singer.

At 5pm the singing session will see the launch of the McKeaney sisters CD in the cosy surroundings of the Thatch coffee shop. Come along and enjoy a real treat.

There will be informal sessions in all venues throughout the weekend with Saturday night seeing a host of local and visiting musicians playing in all venues in the town.

The Sunday lunchtime session led by Kevin Abeyta in the Fiddlestone will get things warmed up for another day. Kevin, from Inishbofin, is no stranger to Belleek having been at every JJ festival weekend since it began in 2007.

At 5pm there is a youth session in the Black Cat Cove with Gary Curley as special guest.

The Fiddlestone Finale and Festival Raffle will kick off about 9pm for those that still have energy left to play - it may not finish until Monday!

All in all, a weekend second to none has been planned by Bernie and other Belleek CCE committee members.

All events are free except a small charge for the fiddle masterclass.

Come along and enjoy the wealth of high profile musicians and local legends that will be in town.

What better way to keep away the winter blues!