Irish Traditional Music Festivals in Ireland

Ireland’s traditional music is one of the world’s most vibrant and enduring folk traditions, stretching back to the ancient bards and blind harpists who roamed the countryside, entertaining the Irish in cottages, castles, or pop-up ceilis at the crossroads. The music retains its vitality and relevance year after year, producing new generations of musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers.

Start your musical journal this summer by visiting any of these five traditional music festivals. You’ll also find live Irish music in pubs and cafes, street corners and town squares and concert halls across the island of Ireland.

The 53rd Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy Summer School on July 5-13 in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, honors Ireland’s uilleann piping tradition, exemplified by Clare’s own Willie Clancy. A highlight this year is a program on a legendary Clare musician entitled, “Tommy McCarthy and the London Connections: A Celebration of Traditional Music and Musicians in the City, 1950s–1980s.” The McCarthy family and friends will perform, including McCarthy’s son Tommy, a fiddle player now living in Boston.

The 7th Annual Belfast Trad Fest and Summer School on July 27-August 3 in Northern Ireland’s capital city, offers outdoor and indoor concerts, fiery pub sessions & Ireland’s fastest growing summer school of traditional music. This year’s performers include traditional ensemble Dervish, duo John Doyle and Mick McAuley – formerly of Solas, flute legend Matt Molloy, fiddler John Carty and guitarist Brian McGrath, and the amazing trad band Allt, performing with the Ulster Orchestra.

The 48th Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival on July 31-August 3 features some of Ireland’s most notable traditional performers, including the David Munnelly Band, NoCrows Folk Orchestra, Donegal’s own Rockhill Ramblers, plus a special tribute to the late Ronnie Drew, a founding member of The Dubliners. The Festival presents a Showcase stage for new and emerging bands and solo performers and expect plenty of street entertainment and pub sessions throughout the weekend.

The world’s biggest Irish traditional music gathering is the annual Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, on August 3-10 in Wexford Town. Launched in the 1950s, the Fleadh attracts musicians, singers, dancers, and music lovers from around the world to compete as individuals and bands, share tunes and be inspired by Ireland’s storied musical traditions. Special performers this year include Shaskeen, the National Folk Orchestra and Frankie Gavin and De Dannan. For festival goers, there’s amazing music everywhere – in street sessions, pubs and hotel lobbies.

The Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds on September 4-7 in Ballinasloe, Galway is named for fiddle legend Larry Reynolds, a Ballinasloe native who emigrated to Boston as a young man and started the local Comhaltas chapter, sparking an Irish music revival in New England. This year’s performers include accordionist Conor Connolly, banjoist Angelina Carberry, concertina player Clara Mannion, fiddler Dylan Carlos and Set Dancing led by Michael Cusack.

Find more traditional Irish music festivals by visiting ireland.com.