Pictured above: Kate Rusby, one of the impressive array of artists appearing in Tradfest.
TradFest returns to Dublin for five days in January (26-30) with an impressive programme combining many rising stars with veterans of the traditional and folk music scene in Ireland and Britain. Gradam winners, Thomas McCarthy, Séamus Begley, Laoise Kelly and Frankie Gavin feature alongside veterans of British folk, Martin Carthy (with daughter Eliza), Kate Rusby, Peggy Seeger, Ralph McTell and Fairport Convention.
Long established Irish artists like Altan, Four Men and A Dog, The Dublin Legends, Seán Ó Sé, Kíla, Anúna, Karan Casey, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Stockton’s Wing will be joined on the festival bill by former All-Ireland champions, Oisín Mac Diarmada, Brenda Castles and BBC Folk Award winners, Dervish. and recent Scots Trad award winner, Tim Edey. Among the younger generation of Irish performers are siblings, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, Aoife Scott, Brídín and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O’Brien. The schedule for the major concerts is outlined below.
In addition to the headline concerts, a number of free events are also on offer featuring performers like the Henry Girls, Paddy Casey, Phelim Drew, The Kilkennys and George Murphy.
Tradfest will also include a seminar entitled The Futures of Irish Music which aims to discuss how Irish music can centre equality, diversity and inclusion moving forward both as an artform and as an industry. The panellists for the seminar include Niamh Ní Charra and Jack Talty along with Ola Majekodunmi, Enda Gallery and Mamobo Ogoro.
In an effort to anticipate any ongoing concerns about the Covid-19 virus, Tradfest is partnering with Novaerus to equip all of the festival venues with air disinfection devices to eliminate any harmful airborne pollutants including Covid-19.
Tickets may be booked at https://tradfest.tickets.ie/

Niamh Ní Charra
with Kevin Corbett
January 26 1.00pm
Collins Barracks

The Remedy Club
–
January 26 6.30pm
Lost Lane

The Dublin Legends
Stockton's Wing & Raplh McTell
January 27 6.00pm
National Stadium

Kíla
–
January 28 6.00pm
National Stadium

Boxing Banjo
–
January 28 6.30pm
Lost Lane

Martin & Eliza Carthy
–
January 29 3.00pm
Pepper Canister Church

Fairport Convention
–
January 29 6.30pm
St. Patrick's Cathedral

Seán Ó Sé & Cór Cúil Aodha
–
January 30 2.30pm
Pepper Canister Church

Tribute to Joe Burke
Frankie Gavin and friends
January 26 6.30pm
Pepper Canister Church

Women of Note
with Aoife Scott & Peggy Seeger
January 26 6.30pm
St. Patrick's Cathedral

Anúna
M'anam
January 27 6.30pm
St. Patrick's Cathedral

Laoise Kelly
–
January 28 6.00pm
Castle Hall

Tim Edey
–
January 29 1.00pm
Pepper Canister Church

Dervish
Four Men & A Dog, Altan
January 29 5.00pm
National Stadium

The Lost Brothers
–
January 29 6.30pm
Pepper Canister Church

Karan Casey & Band
–
January 30 6.30pm
Pepper Canister Church

Thomas McCarthy
–
January 26 6.30pm
Castle Hall

Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta
–
January 27 1.00pm
Collins Barracks

Séamus Begley & Oisín Mac Diarmada with Samantha Harvey
–
January 27 6.00pm
Castle Hall

Kate Rusby Band
–
January 28 6.30pm
St. Patrick's Cathedral

Brenda Castles
–
January 29 1.00pm
Collins Barracks

Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh
–
January 29 6.30pm
Castle Hall

Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin & Ultan O'Brien
–
January 30 1.00pm
Collins Barracks