Later this week, Belfast will become the world center of Irish traditional music when thousands of musicians and singers gather in the capital of Northern Ireland, a UNESCO City of Music, for the annual international Belfast TradFest.
Now in its 5th successful year and with funding from Belfast City Council, Arts Council NI, Tourism NI and in partnership with Ulster University, the hard-working team of organisers have created a cultural celebration from Saturday 23 July to Sunday 30 showcasing the very best of traditional music, song and dance.
From around 50 events and 2,000 attendees in in its inaugural year, the festival has grown to more than 200 events and more than 15,000 attendees in venues ranging from theatres and community centres to pubs and clubs throughout the city.
Dónal O’Connor, Artistic Director for Belfast TradFest, said: “Our 5th edition is a hugely significant occasion for the festival, especially considering the pandemic years and the challenges of recent cuts to arts funding. We will, of course, be paying homage to the musicians, bands and artists who have contributed, supported, and inspired the festival over the years, but importantly this is also a moment to look to the future.”
He added, “Belfast TradFest is showcasing some of the best music these islands have to offer. Established and emerging musicians come here to create and perform, and audiences are attracted to enjoy our cultural treasures at first hand. Sharing our music and our arts is a vital part of our human existence, connecting us and enriching lives, and we cherish that. We are so excited to bring this full programme of events to the people of Belfast and to invite many new visitors to our city from all over the world.”
Among the events later this week are Trans-Atlantic supergroup and RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Group of the year The Olllam, for what will be their biggest Irish show to date, in Belfast’s newly-refurbished Mandela Hall. Featuring Belfast’s John McSherry, an outstanding uilleann piper who founded groups such as Lúnasa, At First Light and Ulaid, the band also features Vulfpeck’s bass dynamo Joe Dart and US producer, Tyler Duncan. International group, Four Men and a Dog, will play TradFest for the first time, whilst celebrating almost 35 years on the road, having emerged first in 1990 during the Belfast Folk Festival.
The Belfast TradFest supports its Summer School of Traditional Music where young and old musicians come to Belfast for a 5-day long programme of events. This year’s line-up of tutors features no less than eight previous TG4 Gradam Ceoil Award recipients, among them being Tyrone’s Ryan Molloy, an acclaimed composer and musician Neil Martin; Kerry’s Niamh Ní Charra, banjo maestro Angelina Carberry and award-winning sean nós dancer, Edwina Guckian.
Former Dé Dannan accordion wizard Máirtín O’Connor will bring his acclaimed band featuring Tyrone fiddle legend Cathal Hayden & Sligo chanteur Seamie O’Dowd to Belfast’s Empire Music Hall.
In partnership with Belfast Pride, The Black Box venue will host ‘The Pride Céilí,’ a spectacle of dance, colour, excitement, fun and inclusivity. It is just one of four céilís that will take place during the festival hosted by Belfast céilí dance caller, Ronán Eastwood.
Reflecting the creative flair of the festival organisers, there will also be a special ‘Session Trail’ across a wide range of venues. Sponsored by McConnell’s Irish Whisky, the trail will feature over 50 sessions in some of the finest traditional pubs in Belfast. All sessions are free admission and run for two hours.
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