The 2017 Masters of Tradition festival, curated by Martin Hayes, starts next week on Wednesday 23 August and runs until Sunday 27 August in Bantry. 

Opening with Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, the duo will be joined by Kate Ellis (cello) and dancer Colin Dunne. Hayes and Cahill will also close the festival in a concert that will see them joined by players from across the festival.  

Other performers in the evening concerts include Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh (fiddle), Mick O’Brien (uilleann pipes), Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin (piano), Iarla Ó Lionáird (voice), John Carty (fiddle), Mary MacNamara (concertina) and Máire Ni Cheíleachair (voice). Two late-night performances are dedicated to crossover/contemporary bands: Slow Moving Clouds, a minimalist Nordic-Irish trio, and Cuar, an improvising band with classical and contemporary influences. 

The full programme is below and at https://goo.gl/7XkpJM.

Programme
7.30pm, 23 August, Maritime Hotel, Bantry:
Martin Hayes (fiddle), Dennis Cahill (guitar), Kate Ellis (cello), Colin Dunne (dancer)

7.30pm, 24 August, St Brendan’s Church, Bantry:
John Flanagan (singer), John Carty (fiddle), Mary MacNamara (concertina), Sorcha Costello (fiddle) 

7.30pm, 25 August, Bantry House:
Steve Cooney (guitar)
Mick O’Brien (uilleann pipes), Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh (fiddle, hardanger), Iarla Ó Lionáird (singer), Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin (piano)

10.30pm, 25 August, Bantry House:
Slow Moving Couds 

7.30pm, 26 August, Bantry House:
Máire Ní Chíleachair (singer
Len Graham (singer), Jack Lynch (storyteller)
Cathal Hayden (fiddle, banjo), Stephen Hayden (fiddle), Seamie O’Dowd (guitar)

10.30pm, 26 August, Bantry House:
Neil Ó Loclainn’s Cuar 

7.30pm, 27 August, Bantry House:
Martin Hayes (fiddle), Dennis Cahill (guitar) & friends