Fingal is delighted to welcome TradFest, Ireland’s largest trad and folk music festival into our historic sites and picturesque locations in the Fingal region to celebrate and experience extraordinary live Irish music and culture.
Every January, Tradfest showcases the best of established and emerging musical talents to the growing audience in Ireland and internationally with over 50 events taking place over five days from Wednesday, 25 to Sunday, 29 of January 2023.
The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony said: “This really is an exciting opportunity for Fingal to be an integral part of the much-admired TradFest calendar, a cornerstone of the traditional music scene.
“It gives us the chance to celebrate and showcase the wonderful and rich musical heritage we have here in Ireland, and to do so in some of our most iconic locations, from the majestic Malahide Castle and the beautiful chapel in the heart of Swords Castle to the beauty of Shackleton Gardens in Clonsilla. It also allows us to bring the Séamus Ennis Arts Centre in the Naul back into focus, a place dedicated to a man who set about collecting songs, tunes and folklore that would otherwise have been lost forever.
“I would encourage everyone – be it Fingal residents or visitors to the County – to come along and experience some great sessions of music & song.”
Frankie Gavin and Catherine McHugh will be hosting a traditional music concert in The Chapel, Swords Castle on Saturday, 28 January followed by the Saíocht featuring Stephen Rea, Louise and Michelle Mulcahy, Felispeaks and Neil Martin.
The Dublin Legends will be performing on the grounds of Shackleton Garden on the same day with a promise to play all the classic songs and favourites, along with The Akano Rhythm Brothers performing elements of Nigerian folk, afrobeat with funk, soul and jazz, an act not to be missed.
The critically acclaimed songwriter from County Galway, Niamh Regan, will be performing in The Great Hall at Malahide Castle on Sunday, 29 January, and the Saíocht with Stephen Rea, Louise and Michelle Mulcahy, Felispeaks and Neil Martin will finish off all the events that will be taking place in Fingal.
Chief Executive of Fingal County Council AnnMarie Farrelly said: “This is the first time that Tradfest has ventured beyond its traditional base in Dublin City Centre and we see it as an opportunity to highlight the magnificent heritage properties we have in Fingal in addition to meeting the strong demand for cultural activities across the County. We look forward to working with the Temple Bar Company in expanding Tradfest Fingal in the years ahead.”
For more information and tickets to events please see:https://tradfesttemplebar.com/
See schedule for Fingal line-up here