Upcoming Traditional Irish Music Festivals

In Ireland, you never have to walk for long in any country village, seaside town or bustling city before coming across a pint of plain, a welcoming bar stool and a lively band belting out traditional tunes from some cosy pub corner. Ireland’s heart seems to beat to the sounds of the bodhrán. Bands bring raucous sessions to many a pub, buskers put a spring in the step of passers-by and festivals dedicated to traditional music attract flocks of musicians, trad fans and tourists from all over the world throughout the year. Even if you’re not a fan of the fiddle, don’t miss out on the lively atmosphere of a good session, which is always sure to show you what the Irish hospitality and craic is all about. For a bit of friendly banter and toe-tapping tunes, check out what traditional music festivals are coming up across the country.

The Gathering Traditional Music Festival in Killarney

Killarney’s annual ‘trad’ festival, the Gathering, is back this year from February 22nd to 26th. Regarded as one of the best traditional events in Ireland, The Gathering attracts visitors to Killarney from all over the world, and is popular among locals as well. The festival offers five days of live concerts, several live music sessions, céilís, instrument masterclasses, set dance workshops, lectures, a full education programme and much more. Concerts feature the very best of local and international traditional performers. Past performers include Altan, Dervish, Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill, Jackie Daly, Seamus Creagh, Joe Burke & Anne Conroy, Teada and many more. Events are held at the Gleneagle Hotel and INEC, one of Ireland’s leading entertainment venues. Visit the festival WEBSITE for a full programme of events.

Russell Memorial Weekend Festival in Clare

The village of Doolin in County Clare is considered the traditional music capital of Ireland. While you can catch great live sessions in the village pubs all year round, the last full weekend in February is a particularly good time to stop on by. This is the Russell Memorial Weekend, a traditional festival held annually in remembrance of Micho Russell, the world-famous traditional musician who died in 1994. Now in its 18th year, festival runs in 2012 from Friday, February 24th to Monday night, February 27th. In addition to numerous live sessions, the festival hosts exhibitions, lectures, poetry readings, stage performances and workshops. The highlight of the festival is the concert on Saturday afternoon, which often includes surprise guest appearances. Past performers have included Liam Óg O Flynn, Joe Burke, Seamus Tansey, Bobby Gardiner, John Carty and Kieran Hanrahan. The weekend’s events take place in the Russell Cultural Centre. For more information, visit the festival WEBSITE.

Corofin Traditional Festival in Clare

The annual Corofin Traditional Festival, held in County Clare, runs from February 27th to March 4th. The festival features various music sessions held in the local pubs, a number of workshops and a nightly concert at Corofin’s Teach Ceoil, a 300-year-old thatched cottage on the edge of the Burren that has hosted many a trad session. This year’s festival will feature Dessie O’Halloran, Johnny O’Halloran, Ronan O’Flaherty, Colm & Seamus O’Donnell with Shane McGowan, Jack Talty & Cormac Begley, Kevin Crawford, James Culinan & John Doyle and many more. The full programme is to be posted on the festival WEBSITE.