TradFest 2024
Ireland’s largest gathering of trad and folk music is back running from 24-28 January 2024
Ireland’s largest gathering of trad and folk music is back bigger and better than ever, with a hugely extended lineup up of nationally and internationally renowned artists.
The full programme will be officially launched on 5 January and TradFest 2024 will run from 24-28 January 2024 at venues across Dublin city as well as an extended programme of events in Fingal.
In keeping with the festival’s commitment to equity, diversity & inclusivity, TradFest 24 will again see a strong showing of women headline artists. It will also feature an extended programme of artists for National Stadium concerts as well as a new musical commission to commemorate the tragic sinking of The RMS Tayleur, Dublin’s Victorian Titanic and much more.
Among the artists taking part will be:
An evening with Janis Ian featuring Mary Black, Wallis Bird, Nuala Kennedy, Eric & Ulrika Bibb, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, Toshín ; Ralph McTell, with Lúnasa , Declan O’Rourke & Camile O’Sullivan , Transatlantic Women featuring; Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Alison Brown, Aoife O’ Donovan, Eileen Ivers, The Friel Sisters, Edwina Guckian & Airc Damhsa, Women of Note with Aoife Scott & Friends, Julie Fowlis, Carlos Nunez, Lumiere, Mairtin ‘Connor, Cathal Hayen, Seamie O’Dowd, Allison Russell, Stocktons Wing, Altan, Stephen Rea, Neil Martin& The West Ocean String Quartet, Louise & Michele Mulcahy, Phelim Drew & The Songs of Ronnie & The Dubliners, Kíla with Paul Frost Brass Band & Yankari, Paddy Keenan, Steo Wall , Niamh Dunne, Sharyn Ward, Liam O’Maonlaí, Freddie White, Brian Kennedy, Cathy Jordan & Feargal Murray, Gerry O’Connor, Maurice Lennon Trio, Laoise Kelly, Zoe Conway & John McEntyre, Strangeboy, Niamh Farrell & Varo, Cuas & Padraig Jack, The Raines, The Remedy Club, Niwel Tsumbu, Indeceltic featuring Anna Tanvir & Maninder Singh, Tara Breen, Padraig Rynne, & Jim Murray, Tony Byrne, Sive, Bríd Harper, Farah Elle, Síle Denver, Aisling Lyons, Niamh Bury, Shane Hennessy, Brenda Castles, The Deadlians, Bridgit Mae Power, Emma Corbett, Angelina Carbury, Tara Howely, Alanah Thornburgh, Oisin Morrisson, David Howley, Dublin Pride Trad Geili, Wearegriot, I could read the Sky with Timothy O Grady
TradFest will celebrate "Janis Ian - A Life Between the Lines" where legendary folk artist Janis Ian will talk about her life in a special evening event. And while the event will not showcase a performance by Ian due to vocal fold scarring, it will feature a rich program celebrating her vast contributions to music with performances of her work by Mary Black, Wallis Bird, Aoife Scott, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Altan), Nuala Kennedy, Eric & Ulrika Bibb and rising stars Toshín and Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta.
TradFest will also honour another folk stalwart Ralph McTell, with a very special 80th birthday celebration concert. Ralph will be accompanied on the night by several well-known Irish traditional & folk artists including acclaimed and award-winning Irish music band Lúnasa, as well as actor/musician Camille O’Sullivan and singer songwriter Declan O’Rourke. This promises to be a night to remember with more big names due to be announced over the coming weeks.
Following on from a very successful debut in Fingal this year, 2024 will see TradFest greatly expand its musical footprint across the region with 28 concerts across historic Fingal. Performances will be held in a variety of intriguing venues including Malahide Castle, Swords Castle Chapel, The Millbank Theatre, Skerries Mill, Draíocht Theatre and the iconic The Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, all featuring in the 2024 programme.
As part of this, TradFest will present a new commission, Ocean Child. Composed by Neil Martin this new suite of music is inspired by the tragic sinking of the RMS Tayleur off Lambay Island on January 21st, 1854, the composition seamlessly weaves a spoken narrative, derived from newspaper reports and witness accounts, with an original score featuring an ensemble of instruments including string quartet, uilleann pipes, harp, flute, and concertina. The stellar lineup of performers includes acclaimed actor Stephen Rea, The West Ocean String Quartet, Louise, and Michelle Mulcahy and promises an emotionally charged and unforgettable experience.
As ever, the first trad and folk music festival of the year lights up the dark winter evenings, with an expansive programme celebrating old favorites returning for 2024 as well as some exciting rising stars making their TradFest debut.
Tickets start from €14.99. There are also family tickets (admit 2 adults and up to 4 children under 16) available for the National Stadium shows. Go to www.tradfest.com for full details.
Follow TradFest on Social Media:
Instagram @tradfestdublin
Twitter @trad_fest
Facebook TradFest
Tik Tok @tradfest
TradFest is produced by TASCQ (Traders in the area supporting the cultural quarter CLG) with support from Fingal County Council, The Arts Council, Diageo, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Dublin City Council, Culture Ireland, The OPW and RTE Supporting the Arts.