Ireland’s favourite feast of trad ready to lift off in Kilkenny

Kilkenny Tradfest has launched its full programme for this year's festival - an irresistible feast of traditional Irish music, song and dance.

It has grown to become one of the biggest and best traditional music events in the country and a highlight of the musical calendar in Kilkenny. This year’s line-up features 13 headline concerts, nine free trail headline gigs, over 100 sessions on the Bulmers music trail and a number of excellent workshops and masterclasses.

Festivities will kick off on Friday, March 14 as Abbeyfolk & Kevin Morrin bring their ‘Spirit of Luke’ show, featuring the songs of Luke Kelly, to Cleere’s at 7pm. From there, trad fans can make their way through Irishtown to St Canice’s Cathedral, where Sharon Shannon is set to raise the roof and transport you to another world under the spectacular Museum of the Moon at 8pm.
READ MORE: ST PATRICK'S FESTIVAL PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

On Saturday, the festival picks up the pace with a host of exciting Irish acts. Aoife Scott will enchant her audience in the intimate setting of The Pembroke Hotel at 5pm.

Arthur Drohan, Ryan’s Bar, Anthony Morrissey Christy’s /Chair of Kilkenny City Vintners, Ronan Maher, Business Development Manager, Bulmers, Molly Byrne, Bulmers, Declan Ryan, Regional Sales Manager, Bulmers, Rachel Crotty, Paris Texas, Nigel Leydon, Bulmers, Gerry Rafter, Rafter Gastro Pub and Aidan Carroll, Pat Carroll's Bar and Beer Garden
Dublin-based powerhouse, The Bonny Men, are sure to light up The Kilford Arms Theatre at 7pm, before Pádraig Jack, an undeniably talented bilingual songwriter from the Aran Islands, returns to the festival with a 9pm show at Cleere’s Theatre.

Sunday is set to be a day of non-stop action
Festival favourites The Tulla Céilí Band return to the Rivercourt Hotel at 3pm – sure to get everyone moving – for An Céilí Mór. At the same time, across town on Parliament Street, the critically acclaimed Connemara siblings, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta will grace Cleere’s Theatre with their delicate harmonies.
Later on Sunday evening, a special event will take place at St Canice’s Cathedral. Ticket-holders will share the once in a lifetime experience of a three-course, wine-paired meal and full concert by Trad supergroup The Half Room, illuminated by Luke Jerram’s spectacular touring artwork, ‘The Museum of The Moon’.

Renowned multi-instrumentalist (and Kíla member) Dee Armstrong will perform her solo show at Cleere’s at 8.30pm and Local Legends Drops of Green are set to draw the night to a thundering close at Kyteler’s Inn at 9pm.
Monday is no time to take your foot off the gas, it’s St Patrick’s Day after all! Brace for one last hurrah with trad, rock, folk and fusion legends Kíla on The Festival Stage at 5pm.

Meanwhile, the heart and soul of Kilkenny Tradfest is The Bulmers Music Trail: Over 100 free sessions taking place in venues around the city as well as seven free trail headline gigs.

These include Burnchurch, Macdara Yeates, Sarah Jane Scouten, Kilkenny Pipers Club, Two-Time Polka, Trad Hits (a late-night trad-infused disco) and The French Pogues.
Please see the brochure or visit the website at kilkennytradfest.com.

For those of you who like to get hands-on, there are a number of excellent workshops and masterclasses happening during the weekend. Starting bright and early on Friday, March 14at 10am in The Pembroke Hotel, ‘AI:OK – The Future of music: Keeping it fAIr’, is an immersive and interactive event exploring how AI is shaping the landscape of creativity. Featuring Dr. Martin Clancy and Mayo-based folk/pop artist Sarah Keane, this is not to be missed.

The importance of nurturing a passion for music in the next generation cannot be understated. To this end, Kilkenny Tradfest is hosting two workshops tailored specifically for young people. Kilkenny Uilleann Pipers Club have been running their youth sessions for over a decade now, offering budding musicians the opportunity to learn, practice and play in a real session environment amongst peers. 

This year the session takes place on Friday, March 14 at 7pm in The Home Rule Club, and on Saturday 15th Renowned fiddler Áine McGrath will host a ‘Youth Fiddle Workshop’ at 12pm in the historical Parade Tower of Kilkenny Castle. 

And finally, world-renowned bodhrán player, songwriter and performer, Rónán Ó Snodaigh of Kíla, takes you on a journey to deepen your understanding of the iconic and ancient Irish instrument on Monday, March 17 at 10am in The Parade Tower. Open to beginners, improvers and masters! 

Two concerts will take place in St Canice’s Cathedral, in collaboration with St Patrick’s Festival. Those attending both will be elevated to cosmic heights by Luke Jerram’s spectacular ‘Museum of the Moon’ installation. Two excellent concerts will take place at The Watergate Theatre this St Patrick’s weekend. Fabulous folk trio Breen, Rynne & Murray will perform on Friday at 8pm, while the invincible Kilfenora Céilí Band are set to raise the roof once again on Monday at 8pm. Tickets are available via www.kilkennytradfest.com and www.watergatetheatre.com. 

Kilkenny Tradfest is made possible by our wonderful sponsors, partners, venues, artists, musicians, volunteers and staff; and supported by Kilkenny County Council. 

Be sure to plan your festival weekend now and secure tickets to your favourite acts while you still can at www.kilkennytradfest.com. 

"Bulmers has been the proud headline sponsor of Kilkenny Tradfest since its inception, and as we enter the festival’s twelfth year, we’re delighted to continue our support," said Declan Ryan of Bulmers Ireland. "Tradfest is a celebration of incredible music, culture, and community, and it’s an event we look forward to being a part of every year. In conjunction with the Kilkenny St. Patrick’s Festival, it brings the city to life, and we’re thrilled to play a role in making that happen.”

Follow on social media for more updates and announcements!

Instagram @kilkennytradfest

Facebook @Kilkenny Tradfest

TikTok @kilkennytradfest