TradFest, Ireland’s premier trad and folk music festival which celebrates 20 years in 2025, kicked off today with a host of exciting events across the capital, including right here in Fingal.
First held in 2005, TradFest aims to celebrate the “sacred texts and songs of the tradition” while bringing brand new musical talent to the fore. Countless artists, both homegrown and on the world stage, have appeared over the years including The number of international artists who have the made the January journey has grown over the years, including acts like Declan O’Rourke, Eleanor McEvoy, The Hothouse Flowers, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Damien Dempsey, Stockton’s Wing, Lisa O’Neill, Sharon Shannon and many more.
This year, TradFest have partnered with the National Transport Authority to encourage attendees to use public transport to get to the events, and to make them more accessible to all. For more information on the free shuttles, click here.
We have compiled the highlights of this week’s programming in Fingal, with a wide variety of new and established talent performing across the county. Don’t forget that there are even more events on offer in Dublin City and South Dublin; for more information, please visit their website at tradfest.ie.
To view the full list of events on offer and for more details on the featured events, please click here.
What’s on
Folk singer Karan Casey and director Tom Creed present their “theatrical song cycle” ‘The Women: We Will Rise’ here in Dublin 15 at Draíocht tomorrow evening. The show celebrates women from the revolutionary period including her own great grandmother Agnes Ryan of the hotel, a mother of 12 children and a Cumann na mBan member and other figures from the era, such as Kathleen Clarke from Limerick and Countess Markievicz as well as addressing women in contemporary Ireland. Get your tickets at draiocht.ie.
The legendary Moya Brennan hosts a now-sold out singing session at The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre this evening, kicking off the Fingal programming. Don’t worry if you missed out however as TSEAC will be livestreaming this event and all singing sessions on their social media channels. TSEAC also hosts acclaimed singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy in conversation, where she will speak about her career including writing the iconic “A Woman’s Heart”, the title track of the best-selling Irish album. Grab your tickets here.
The Lark Theatre in Balbriggan celebrates actor Stephen Rea with a special event this evening, with guests including renowned poet Paul Muldoon, Irish-Nigerian poet and performer FELISPEAKS and poet and harpist Emily Cullen. Limited tickets available here; doors open at 7pm.
Dublin fiddle player Jacqui Martin and Limerick’s Derek Hickey come together for a performace at The Chapel at Swords Castle tomorrow afternoon for what promises to be a memorable event. Tickets available at tradfest.ie. Also at The Chapel on Friday afternoon is Guadeloupean singer-songwriter Ines Khai who brings her blend of Gwoka, soul and blues to TradFest; tickets available here.
Stockton’s Wing perform their greatest hits with support from local Fingal choirs at the Donabate Portrane Community Centre on Friday evening. Tickets are still available for this special evening via tradfest.ie.
The Lark Theatre in Balbriggan hosts a free exhibition celebrating the life and work of actor Stephen Rea, open until January 31. The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, alongside its TradFest events, is hosting an exhibition by painter and musician J.B. Vallely which is open until March 11.
TradFest Dublin launched today, January 22, and runs until January 26. Visit tradfest.ie for more information.