Ireland

all photos © copyright of Grace-Notez

Grace-Notez -

                  for Unique photos of Fiddles created into cards,
                   posters, prints,2015 calendar &
                   information on Sessions, festivals &
                  Events for Celtic Musicians

Festivals in Ireland-   page a work in progress

NZ Easybook Tours
Contact us for your travel needs to any destination worldwide.
Our staff's special areas of interest include New Zealand, Scotland
& Musical Tours!
Email: anne-marie@easybooktours.co.nz

Irish festivals

Checkout this amazing website with all the Irish festivals & all the information
relating to them!!
Also live streaming promotions
www.livetrad.com/festivals

2019

Shannonside Winter Music Festival
January 17th – 22nd, 2019
www.wmw.ie
Planning on hibernating this winter? Set your alarm for January 17th and the twentieth Shannonside Winter Music Festival in Sixmilebridge and Bunratty, Co. Clare.
From January 17th to 22nd, a hectic schedule of over 80 events across 17 locations brings an eclectic mix of music styles worth waking up for!
While much of the roster is filled with Festival alumni, 2019 sees the debut visit from the legendary Matt Molloy, playing the Saturday night concert with multi-instrumentalist John Carty and Arty Glynn on guitar. Mick Hanly legendary singer/songwriter opens the concert.
From the US, the Cintron Brothers bring Flamenco sounds, and a capella group Purely Vocals are back after a successful visit in 2012, while award-winning Bluegrass bands The Special Consensus and the Petersens both from the US are also making returns to Sixmilebridge.
The Golden Star Morris dancers from the UK make their fourth trip to Clare, and the Munich String band bring bluegrass from Germany. Perennial favourite Frankie Lane is back, while the Spancil Hillbillies, Ukealadies, and Jazzlite swing by to keep toes tapping.
Local boy Brendan Walsh returns from Switzerland with two bands - the Led Farmers to trad-rock the place, and the Diversus Guitar Quartet to soothe the soul! Folk and trad acts include Kate Purcell, the Doyle Family (UK), Randal’s Folly, Ger O’Donnell and Kate Theasby, MegaTrad and many more visiting and local names.
A full Saturday of concerts on five stages at Bunratty Folk Park is a serious musical treat. The set dancing in Bunratty Castle Hotel with Johnny Reidy is always well-supported, and the gigs, sessions, and concerts throughout both villages will feature the best of music and song!
Check out the Facebook page or www.wmw.ie

This year’s Gathering Traditional Festival is one of the most richly diverse programmes we have had in years, and features everything from Altan, Mike McGoldrick, JOhn Doyle & John McCusker, Dordán, Paddy Keenan, Frankie Gavin & Dermot Byrne and a whole lot more
Now in its 20th year, The Gathering Traditional Festival is one of most loved festivals amongst traditional enthusiasts and is ideal for everyone from the hard core fans to the culturally curious. From fireside seisiúns to heart-pounding céilís, The Gathering Traditional Festival returns to Killarney for its from February 27 to March 3rd.

The Gathering features concerts, céilís, sessions and storytelling as well as set dancing, singing and instrument masterclasses. Headquartered at The Gleneagle Hotel, this five-day festival attracts trad fans from the US, Britain, France, Germany and all over Ireland.

May

June

July

Belfast TradFest tagged Lúnasa, Ríoghnach Connolly + Ulaid - Sat 27th July - Lyric Theatre, Belfast.
We have rebranded from the Belfast Summer School of Traditional Music to Belfast TradFest incorporating the Belfast Summer School of Traditional Music and will run from 27th July - 2nd August. - https://www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com
We will be holding a week long series of concerts, masterclasses, workshops, talks and sessions, and will be a hosting renowned bands and traditional musicians such as Lúnasa, Ríoghnach Connolly & Ulaid. Tutors at the summer school will include BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner Jarlath Henderson, Scottish piping legend Finlay McDonald, five former winners of the prestigious TG4 Gradam Ceoil awards - Harry Bradley, Edel Fox, John Carty, Mary Bergin & Conor Connolly alongside Kevin Crawford of Lúnasa, John Joe Kelly of Flook, Oisín Mac Diarmada of Téada & Ríoghnach Connolly of the Afro Celt Sound System amongst many others.
For five days, hundreds of budding traditional musicians, of all ages, will get the chance to learn from traditional music royalty at the Ulster University, York Street, in a series of masterclasses across 18 instruments. In addition the school will bring jigs and reels to all four corners of Belfast with concerts, demos and talks taking place at The Strand Arts Centre in East Belfast, Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich in West Belfast, The Duncairn Centre in North Belfast and An Droichead in South Belfast- with the heart of the summer school and a packed programme of free sessions and events located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

Belfast TradFest
July 27th – August 2nd, 2019 www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com
This week-long event is the only one of its kind in the North and brings together both the Irish and the Ulster-Scots musical traditions, in a shared celebration of culture & heritage.
Descending upon the city, in a series of concerts, masterclasses, workshops, talks and sessions, will be a host of world renowned traditional musicians, including BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner Jarlath Henderson, Scottish piping legend Finlay McDonald, six former winners of the prestigious TG4 Gradam Ceoil awards - Harry Bradley, Edel Fox, John Carty, Mary Bergin, Michelle Mulcahy & Conor Connolly alongside Niamh Dunne & Eamon Murray of Beoga who recently co-wrote Ed Sheeran’s massive hit Galway Girl, Kevin Crawford of Lúnasa, Ulster Lambeg & Fife legend Willie Drennan, John Joe Kelly of Flook, Oisín MacDiarmada of Téada & Ríoghnach Connolly of the Afro Celt Sound System, amongst many others.
After two hugely successful years, Belfast Summer School of Traditional Music is re-branding as Belfast TradFest and will incorporate the summer school into its packed programme of events this year.
In addition, this year Belfast TradFest will hold a very special opening concert on Saturday 27th July when three of the hottest acoustic acts on the planet play Belfast for one night only.
In what will surely kick off the festival in style, Lúnasa, Ulaid & Ríoghnach Connolly will come together for what promises to be a spectacular night of traditional music and song in one of the most beautiful theatres in Ireland - The Lyric Theatre, Belfast.
For five days, hundreds of budding traditional musicians, of all ages, will get the chance to learn from traditional music royalty at the Ulster University, York Street, in a series of masterclasses across 18 instruments.
In addition, the school will bring jigs and reels to all four corners of Belfast with concerts, demos and talks taking place at The Strand Arts Centre in East Belfast, Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich in West Belfast, The Duncairn Centre in North Belfast and An Droichead in South Belfast - with the heart of the summer school and a packed programme of free sessions and events located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.
Find out more at: www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com,
https://www.facebook.com/belfastTradFest1 and https://twitter.com/bssotm

2018

Pan Celtic Festival April 3rd - 8th
Letterkenny
We would like to invite you all to join us at the Official Opening of the International Pan Celtic Festival tomorrow night at 7.30pm in the Mount Errigal Hotel.
We hope to see you for music, dancing and craic!
Celebrate the Celtic Cultures of Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, Isle of Man and Brittany in music, song, dance and language

http://www.panceltic.ie

The Annapolis Irish Festival
1 & 2, June 2018
Anne Arundel County Fair Grounds
http://www.annapolisirishfestival.com/irish-music-festival/

FRIDAY – June 1st
Greene Turtle Stage
3:45 – 4:15 Chesapeake Caledonian Pipes and Drums
4:15 – 5:15 EJ Jones
5:30 – 7:00 Scythian
7:15 – 8:00 Salute to Military and First Responders
8:00 – 10:00 Gaelic Storm

Galway Stage
4:30 – 5:45 Seamus Murphy
6:15 – 7:30 Gothard Sisters

SATURDAY – June 2nd
Greene Turtle Stage
11:00 – 11:30 Chesapeake Caledonian Pipes and Drums
12:00 – 1:30 The 19th Street Band
2:00 – 3:30 Gothard Sisters
4:00 – 5:30 Barleyjuice
6:00 – 7:30 Gaelic Storm
8:00 – 10:00 Carbon Leaf

Galway Stage
11:30 – 12:00 Irish Dancers
12:30 – 1:30 Seamus Kennedy including Kids Show
2:00 – 3:00 Poor Mans Gambit
3:15 – 3:45 Irish Dancers
4:15 – 5:15 Seamus Kennedy with Limerick Winner
5:45 – 6:45 EJ Jones
7:15 – 8:30 Gothard Sisters

Cup of Tae Traditional Festival
Donegal fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
Ardara from Fri May 4th to Mon May 7th 2018 (May bank holiday weekend).

The Cup of Tae Festival Committee will honour the famous
Donegal fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh at the 2018 Cup of Tae FestivalThis year’s Schools of Music – a unique opportunity to be in the presence of greatness.
Join the Classes and be taught by one of the world’s greatest musicians.
Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh will be joined by her brother, the very talented Ciaráin Ní Mhaonaigh.
The Schools are currently filling up and it is vital to book a place to avoid disappointment.
Contact Stephen: 087 2424590 or email glenardfish@eircom.net

Full details on website: http://cupoftaefestival.com/

All Star Opening Concert in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel
Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh
Special Event to honour one of Donegal’s most famous and popular musicians, fiddle player Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh.
Mairead is one of the most famous musicians in Ireland, and of course a key member of the world famous group Altan. Tickets limited – contact committee.
Doors open 8.00 p.m. (Performance starts 8.30 p.m.)

Traditional Music free in all Pubs every night
Contact Stephen: 087 2424590 or email glenardfish@eircom.net
Full details on website: http://cupoftaefestival.com/

Jim Dowling Uilleann Pipe and Trad Festival, Glengarriff West Cork

IThe 2018 Le Cheile Festival
line up includes Kíla, John Spillane, Morrissey & Marshall,Rhythm & Sticks and lots more.

We're taking a slightly different direction this year... For the past 20 years we've been wrapped up in the comfort of our traditional home of Oldcastle, but now that we're turning 21 we thought we'd just take a little peek out of the nest and see what the world looks like on the outside... but not too far.

For 2018 we're going to take a short hop up the road to Ballinlough, to an intimate, purpose built venue that will easily bring us back to our manic youth... surrounded by open space where we can stage all sorts of Le Cheile entertainment.

We've lots more to tell you over the coming weeks... but in the meantime - Some of the more important questions..
"Will there be transport to and from the festival ? " - Yes absolutely !
"Will there be a family day ? Arts, drama, kids entertainment ?" ... Yes of course, full details will be posted here when we have everything rubber stamped.
"Are tickets on sale yet ?" - Yes, at www.LeCheile.Com and in the next few days they'll also be available at the Halfway House.

Keep an open eye on this page, we'll be posting more details very shortly...

The Le Cheile Crew

Fusion Dance Fest by Fusion Fighters
AUGUST 9TH-16TH 2018
MILLENIUM THEATRE
LIMERICK, IRELAND
This eight day dance camp in 2018 is going to be jam packed with workshops of various styles of dance and seminars taught by show stars, world champions and renowned choreographers, along with members of the ‘Fusion Fighters Crew’. We have purposefully made the festival as inclusive as possible so it suitable for a range of levels and ages, all cast members will have the opportunity to feature in fusion fighters video projects and several performances which include a full scale production on the final evening and other opportunities!
http://www.fusiondancefest.com/

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018 takes place in Drogheda 12th to 19th August 2018.
www.fleadhcheoil.ie

Cork Folk Festival - Cork, Ireland 4th-7th October 2018 |Folk Music Festival in Cork City, Ireland
12 APR 2018 Concert to Honour Timmy MacCarthy aka Timmy the Brit. Filed Under: Concerts Concert to Honour Timmy McCarthy aka Timmy the Brit. Timmy “The…
CORKFOLKFESTIVAL.COM

Galway Bay Music Feis
will herald the 15th year of the Galway Bay Celtic Music Feis! Celebrating Irish songs, ballads, players and bands that will be flooding Ocean Shores, WA with music and fun this October. We hope to see you there.
October 15th - 21st
Young Dubliners
Celtica Pipes
Molly's Revenge
Such three from Many more . . . . . .

http://celticmusicfeis.com/

William Kennedy Piping Festival
November 15th – 18th, 2018
www.wkpf.org

Armagh’s international festival celebrating the music of all kinds of bagpipes marks its 25th anniversary this November, making it the longest-running event of its kind anywhere in the world.
Armagh Pipers Club, the traditional music educational charity that created the William Kennedy Piping Festival in 1994, has announced details of the line-up for the 25th edition.
The 2018 Festival, running from the 15th to 18th November, features many of the Armagh audience’s favourite performers from over the years, as well as a few new faces.

2018 is coincidentally the 250th anniversary of the birth of William Kennedy, the blind master

pipemaker after whom the Festival is named.
This year the Festival has guest musicians from all over Europe and North America, as well as the cream of the crop from much closer to home in Scotland and Ireland.
The Club is especially delighted to host a special one-off reunion performance from two legends of Irish music – Paddy Keenan and Paddy Glackin. Both former members of the Bothy Band, they recorded a seminal album, Doublin, in 1979 which became one of the most influential Irish traditional music albums.
Other highlights include a return from globetrotting Lúnasa, who have just released their latest album Cas. Festival favourites Ulaid will perform with Armagh’s singing legend Ríoghnach Connolly;

while Gàidhlig-language supergroup Dàimh will also be making another highly anticipated foray across the Straits of Moyle.
The Festival again features a Piping Academy, with a stellar line-up of tutors including Seán Óg Potts, Mick O’Brien, Seán McKeon, Louise Mulcahy and Síle Friel.
There is also a full range of workshops in all instruments, plus sessions, lectures, performances for children, a special ‘Day of Song’, and much more.
Full details of the 2018 Festival are available from www.wkpf.org or email: info@wkpf.org.