Presented by The Dowling Family 2025
Nicholas Dowling was a native of Ardfert, Co Kerry on the shores of Banna strand where he was born in 1938. A passionate lover of music and singing all his life, he loved nothing more than to be asked to sing and his repertoire was extensive and varied. He was also a lover of the written word and penned several poems and recitations including ‘Take God’s Own Land’ which vividly describes the landmarks and hinterland around his beloved north Kerry birthplace.
He had an eclectic mix of musical tastes from the songs of Count John McCormack to Liam Clancy, Plácido Domingo to Roy Orbison. He introduced his five daughters to classical composers like Shostakovich and Mantovani, and masters of Irish traditional music like Seán Ó Riada, Sean McGuire and Paddy Moloney. He amassed a huge music collection over his lifetime.
Nicholas or ‘Nicko’ as he was known to all his friends and family, took great delight in seeing his grandchildren develop their musical talents and was particularly proud to see his granddaughter Joely Coffey learn to play the fiddle from a young age and take part in the Dublin Fleadh competitions.
Nicholas’s wife Bridie and his daughters Mary, Geraldine, Tonyia, Nicola and Gina now wish to celebrate his love of music and his support for young musicians by presenting this trophy for u10 Fiddle in his memory.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.