TradFest Temple Bar 2023 will take place this month, presenting a range of concerts, talks, workshops, family events and film screenings. Running from 25 to 29 January, the events will take place in venues across Dublin city centre including the National Stadium, National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin Castle, the Button Factory and the Grand Social. For the first time, the festival will extend to Fingal with concerts at Swords Castle Chapel and the Great Hall at Malahide Castle. 

The line-up this year includes a blend of traditional, folk and indie musicians including Dervish, who will perform a special concert of their 2018 album The Great Irish Song Book, joined on the night by guests Ralph McTell, Eddi Reader, Tim O’Brien and Cara Dillon (26 January); Frankie Gavin and Catherine McHugh, who will perform at Swords Castle (28 January); and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh performing at the Pepper Canister Church (29 January). 

On 25 January, the Women of Note event, curated by folk singer Aoife Scott, will be held at St Patrick’s Cathedral. The event is a celebration of female artists from a variety of backgrounds and will feature jazz singer Mary Coughlan, North Carolina musician Charly Lowry, and fiddle player and singer Doireann Ní Ghlacáin. On 28 January, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan will present a special concert celebrating the Celtic festival of Imbolg, with a line-up of artists including Mary Chapin Carpenter, T with the Maggies, the Sí Fiddlers, BRÍDÍN, Edwina Guckian and Caoimhe Hopkinson. 

At the Grand Social on 27 January, singer and fiddle player Clare Sands will present Freaṁacha – a musical tribute to the diversity in language, traditions and culture in Ireland. The event, which is curated by Sands, will feature guitarist Niwel Tsumbu and singer-songwriter Farah Elle.  

There will also be concerts with Matt Molloy and fiddle player Séan Keane (25 January); Conor Connolly (26 January); Dani Larkin (26 January); singer Eimear Quinn (26 January); singer-songwriter and spoken word artist Steo Wall (25 January); Iarla Ó Lionáird (28 January); Martin and Eliza Carthy (28 January); Moxie (28 January); and Niamh Regan (29 January). 

Talks, fringe and family 
On Tuesday 24 January, the festival will present a series of talks covering topics such as women in traditional and folk music with musician Emer Mayock, researcher Emma Grove and folk singers Karen Casey and Aoife Scott; Traveller culture and music with Steo Wall; people of colour in traditional music with Jk Onwumereh from Fingal; and creative arts in dementia care with Mike Hanrahan of Stockton’s Wing. 

The festival has also curated a series of fringe events including Are Ya Dancin’? – a céilí dance event; pop-up trad sessions at Collins Barracks and the GPO Museum; and a performance by the Clew Bay Pipe Band. There will also be screenings at the Irish Film Institute of Lila Schmitz’ film Job of Songs; Dennis Cahill – Litir ó Do Chara, a TG4 documentary by director Dónal O’Connor about the late traditional guitarist; and O’Donohue’s Opera, a film by Kevin Sheldon about The Dubliners. Family events are also included in the programme with traditional sessions for children and workshops.

Also performing as part of the festival are Navá, fiddle player Sorcha Costello, Lisa Lambe, Jig Jam, Aisling Lyons, Kate Theasby, Kíla, Lorcán Mac Mathúna, Kate Rusby, Bláth na hÓige with Síle Denvir and Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Aidan Connolly and more. 

For further information and tickets, visit: https://tradfesttemplebar.com/