One of the largest traditional music festivals in the country, The Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival begins next Thursday the 26th of October and will run through until Monday the 30th October. Tickets for the various events can be purchased here
The biggest ‘session tail’ in the country begins at 5pm on Thursday with some of Ireland’s finest traditionals musicians such as Tare Breen, Damien Mullane, Derek Hickey, Jackie Daly, Aidan Connolly, Paudie O’Connor, Órlaith McAulliffe all featuring. The legendary trail runs until Monday night with over 120 traditional music sessions taking place from morning to night in Castleisland and the surrounding villages of Scartaglen, Cordal and Ballymacelligot.
Friday night brings the ‘Opening Concert.’ This takes place in The River Island Hotel at 8pm and the line up includes Frankie Gavin, Tara Breen and Jessie Smith amongst a host of other well known traditional musicians.
Saturday’s highlights include the ‘Sliabh Luacra Fiddle Recital’ at 2pm in ‘The Ivy Leaf Arts Centre’ presented by Aidan Connolly will present and the line up includes special guest Kevin Burke.
Saturday at 3.30pm in Hartnetts Bar is the ‘Singing Concert’ with Cathy Jordan (Dervish). Niall Hanna (2021 TG4 Traditional Singer of the Year) Méabh Begley, Mickey MacConnell and Tim Dennehy.
Saturday night is the showpiece ‘Sliabh Luachra All Star Concert’ at 8pm in The River Island Hotel. The line up includes the Begley Family and a host of others.
Dedication to the Music of Sliabh Luachra Award presented to PJ TEEHAN. He will perform alongside Mick Culloty, Seán Abeyta and Rhona O’Driscoll. The festival will honour the memory of Jimmy Doyle and Séamus Begley, two departed heroes of traditional music in this concert.
Altan will headline the Sunday night concert at 8pm in the River Island Hotel. They will be supported by The Mulcahy Family (Louise, Michelle, and Mick Mulcahy) as well as Megan McGinley, Nia Byrne and Cathal Ó’Curráin
Sunday night at 11pm in Niteowls nightclub the Festival Club will take place. This will be headilined Pólca 4, Damien Mullane & Seán O’Meara and DJ Paddy Callaghan will close out the night with a trad disco.
Other events over the weekend include kids and teenage trad sessions, workshops and classes, pop-up Gaeltachts and more concerts.
