Tradfest Kilkenny is ready to bring the craic agus ceol - with some new faces, as well as old favourites

The stage is set for the biggest weekend of the traditional music calendar: Kilkenny Tradfest, now in its 13th year, has established itself as among the premier music festivals in the country.

With past performers including Christy Moore, Damien Dempsey, Paul Brady and Ye Vagabonds; this year’s festival is no exception in terms of talent as we welcome Sharon Shannon, Aoife Scott, Pádraig Jack, The Bonny Men, Kíla and many more to the city for another packed programme of ceol, craic, damhsa agus spraoi!

Kilkenny Tradfest will welcome Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta for the very first time. Hailing from the Gaeltacht region of Connemara, they are noted for their sean nós singing and unique arrangements of both Irish and English language songs. Their performances benefit from the vocal tones that only families share. Their Late Late Show performance in 2022 of the soulful lament Anach Cuain went viral around the world.

They are also accomplished multi-instrumentalists who keep the Irish language and their heritage at the heart of all their musical endeavors. Séamus and Caoimhe will perform at Cleere’s Theatre on Sunday, March 16 at 3pm. Tickets are €18 and available now at www.kilkennytradfest.com.

Dee Armstrong is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, composer, and a vibrant presence in Irish music for over three decades. Best known as a member of the legendary band Kíla since 1991, Dee’s electrifying performances showcase her mastery of the fiddle, viola, hammered dulcimer, banjo, bodhrán, and tuned percussion.

Hailing from a deeply musical family, Dee’s legacy resonates across generations. Her children—Tiggy, Diarmuid, Lughaidh, and Rosie Armstrong—carry forward this tradition, with Diarmuid (five-string banjo) and Lughaidh (guitar) lending their talents to her upcoming solo album. You can catch Dee Armstrong in Cleere’s Theatre on Sunday, March 16 at 8.30pm. Tickets are €20 and available now at www.kilkennytradfest.com.

For those looking to incorporate a bit of a workout into your weekend, look no further than The Tulla Céilí Band, who make their return to the festival after a sell-out show last year. One of the country’s oldest, best known and most loved céilí bands, they formed in 1946 and have performed all over the world and inspired many long nights of dancing and craic in that time.

As the band approaches its 80th anniversary, it boasts a healthy mix of talented musicians both young and old, keeping the traditional East Clare style of music alive. ‘An Céilí Mór’, in association with Craobh Osraí and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éirinn, will take place on Sunday, March 16 at 3pm at the Rivercourt Hotel. Tickets are €15.

“We’re really excited for this year’s Tradfest,” said – Anthony Morrisson, Chairperson of Kilkenny City Vintners. “The programme looks fantastic and there is sure to be a huge buzz around the town with over 100 sessions and gigs on the music trail.”

Tickets are available now at www.kilkennytradfest.com. Tickets will also be available on the door for all gigs, however booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Follow the festival on social media for more updates and announcements!

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