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Countdown On For Midlands TradFest

Wednesday, 22 March 2023 18:04

Photo Credit: @tmoretradfest Twitter

It will take place on the weekend of March 31st to April 2nd.

There are less than two weeks to go until a festival full of tradition music takes place in the midlands.

Tullamore's TradFest will be taking place on  the weekend of March 31st to April 2nd.

Traditional music enthusiasts from all over will gather to celebrate the rich and vibrant traditional music heritage of the midlands through a three-day extravaganza of jigs, reels, songs, dance.

There will be paid concerts as well as over 150 hours of free entertainment over the weekend.

According to festival committee member Brian McDaid, preparations are nearly complete and the midlands town is ready to come alive to the
sounds of traditional Irish music:

“We are grateful for the tremendous support we have received from the local business community in Tullamore. Their generosity and
dedication to our festival have been instrumental in making it a success year on year since its inception in 2019. Thanks to this support we are
able to bring together some of the traditions most talented musicians and performers to Tullamore and offer our patrons a range of events
and experiences that truly capture the essence of traditional Irish music. This year’s event sees a number of new inclusions and despite this
year’s festival almost being upon us, we may even have a further surprise or two up our sleeve. Watch this space!"

Main Concert - Friday 31st March
Frankie Gavin (fiddle), Diarmuid Ó Meachair (accordion/melodeon) and Catherine McHugh (piano). Support on the night is provided by the trio
of Alisha McMahon (harp) Aoibheann Queally (concertina) and Rebecca McCarthy-Kent (fiddle) assisted by Offaly's own Michaela Keenaghan
and Meath’s Jack Lynch (sean-nós dancing).
Venue: The Tullamore Court Hotel
Time:    7:30pm (sharp)
Cost:    €25

Early Concert - Saturday April 1st
Anne Conroy Burke (accordion), Eileen O' Brien (fiddle), Mary Conroy (guitar) and Deirdre McSherry (piano), who will feature much of the music
of the late great accordionists, Joe Burke and Paddy O' Brien.
Venue: The Bridge House Tullamore
Time:   Doors at 5:00pm
Cost:    €15

Festival Club - Saturday April 1st
Our Saturday night Festival Club, also in The Bridge House, features a double-bill headline of local legends Best Foot Forward followed by
Conor Moriarty (accordion), Rebecca McCarthy Kent (fiddle/piano) & Sean Kelliher (guitar).
Venue: The Bridge House Tullamore
Time:   Doors at 9:30pm
Cost:    €20

Hup! Offaly - Saturday April 2nd
This concert celebrates the traditional music of Offaly and those that have made an outstanding contribution to the traditional music scene
locally. This year there is a special tribute to the late Lelia Brady by members of her family, friends and Árd Escir Céilí Band. We will also see
performances from Frank and Mary Brennan and friends as they get inducted into our newly established Hall of Fame joining Ellen Comerford
Flanagan who was inducted last year.
Venue: The Tullamore Court Hotel
Time:    6:00pm (sharp)
Cost:    €10

There will also be free entry events all weekend such as, Session Trail throughout the weekend in various venues in Tullamore, 3
recitals (accordion @ 3pm Saturday in Coláiste Choilm, fiddle & flute both in Killeigh Teach Cheoil, Offaly St. @ 2pm and 3pm Sunday
respectively) and family friendly entertainment in the Bridge Shopping Centre (Saturday & Sunday) and a gig rig in O' Connor Square (Sunday).
Further details to follow as regards these closer to the time. 

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