Fingal will now be an integral part of Ireland’s largest trad and folk music festival, TradFest 2023, Fingal County Council have announced.
Every January, Tradfest showcases the best of established and emerging musical talents to the growing audience in Ireland and internationally. However, this is the first time that Tradfest ventures beyond its traditional base in Dublin City Centre. The festival will have over 50 events taking place over five days from Wednesday, 25 to Sunday, 29 January.
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.
Read more: Things to do in Dublin this January from illuminated forest walks to Lunar New Year celebrations
“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 and song.”
Here are the events that will be included:
Traditional music concert in The Chapel, Swords Castle on Saturday, 28 January. Frankie Gavin and Catherine McHugh will be hosting the concert, and it will be 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.
Critically acclaimed songwriter 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.
Tradfest Fingal might expand in the future. 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.”
And if you want to see all those other events in the city centre, you can go to the festival’s official website.
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