Ireland’s biggest celebration of Trad & Folk Music which takes place in Dublin, TradFest! – announce their programme for 22-26 January 2025

The programme for TradFest 2025 was officially launched.  This year TradFest, running from 22-26 January, celebrates 20 years as Ireland’s leading trad and folk festival, with some of the biggest artists from home and abroad set to perform at iconic locations across Dublin city and county. Music lovers can enjoy performances throughout Dublin City Centre, Fingal, South Dublin and Temple Bar. Accessibility and inclusivity are at the heart of TradFest 2025 with new partnerships and new voices taking centre stage. 

TRADFEST 2025 AT A GLANCE:

Over 140 gigs.
Renowned artists from across the world and new faces make up this exciting programme. 
Beautiful iconic and historical venues to discover.
Many free performances to enjoy for all ages.
Extended for the first time into South County Dublin. 
New partnership with AbleFest to increase accessibility for everyone. 
An expanded community programme of community-led events in Fingal.
A 4-day celebration in The Lark of the work of Stephen Rea. 
Remembering the late Barney McKenna. 
Shining a spotlight on new voices from right across the community. 

Speaking of the programme, festival director, Martin Harte said, ‘This years festival is celebrating a number of important milestones including our 20th anniversary, our continued expansion across the city and county into South Dublin & Fingal, our new partnership with Ablefest, remembering legendary Dubliner, Barney McKenna & toasting cultural icon and TardFest Patron, Stephen Rea, this years programme is literally bursting at the seams,’

A WEALTH OF UNFORGETTABLE GIGS:

In a jam packed programme with events for all ages, artists include:

The Scratch, Stockton’s Wing Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Moya Brennan, Maura O’Connell, Julie Fowlis, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Frankie Gavin & De Dannan, Biird, Aoife Scott, Peggy Seeger, Carsie Blanton, Clare Sands, Ralph McTell, Eric Bibb, Muireann Bradley, Kíla, Wallis Bird, Lindisfarne, Martin Simpson, Scullion, Sean Keáne, Eleanor McEvoy, George Murphy & The Rising Sons, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Karan Casey, Niamh Dunne & Seán óg Graham, Phelim Drew, Sharyn Ward, Lisa Lambe, Mick Hanly, Steo Wall, Kieran Goss, Tara Breen, The Henry Girls, Toshín, The Pride Géilí Band, Louise Mulcahy, Michelle Mulcahy, Katie Theasby, Muireann Bradley, Declan Sinnott, Farah Elle, Macdara Yeates, Eleanor Shanley & Mike Hanrahan, Emma Langford,John Feely & Fran O’Rourke, Bernadette Nic Gabhann, String Sisters, Brídín, Cuas & Padraig Jack, Systir, Phelim Drew, Laoise Kelly, Daoirí Farrell,Liz and Yvonne Kane with John Blake, Macalla, Yankari & Ines Khai, Dug, Landless, Varo, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Edwina Guckian, Elaine Reilly, Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta.

For full programme go to Tradfest.com

STRONG FEMALE ARTIST LINE UP:

TradFest has worked over the last number of years to continue to increase the number of female artists in the festival. This year once again there is a very strong and exciting list of female artists taking part including a number of specially curated events: Women of Note at St. Patrick’s Cathedral curated by Aoife Scott who will be joined by a number of exciting female artists including folk legend Peggy Seeger. Transatlantic Women curated by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, featuring Maura O’Connell,  Julie Fowlis, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and String Sisters, Tríona Ni Dhomhnaill, Aisling Jarvis, Caoimhe Hopkins and Edwina Guckian. 

CELEBRATING STEPHEN REA:  

Now in its third year in Fingal the festival will return the many unique and historic venues across the region as well as new venues including The Lark where a four-day celebration of the work of the actor, local resident and TradFest patron Stephen Rea will take place from 22-25 January 2025.  Joining Stephen over the 4 nights will be poet Paul Muldoon and Felispeaks, award winning actress Sinead Cusack, musicians Neil Martin, Louise Mulcahy, Michelle Mulcahy, Matt Molloy, Maighread Ní Dhomnaill, Paddy Glackin and Derek Hickey.  There will also be a free newly commissioned photographic exhibition in The Lark celebrating Stephen’s life on stage and in film. 

REMEMBERING BARNEY MCKENNA: 

Across 2 days and nights in The Abbey Tavern, Howth in January 2025, TradFest will honour the late Barney McKenna through music and stories and craic. A well-deserved recognition for a very special musician. 

AND SO MUCH MORE!

BOOK TICKETS:  

tradfest.com