Belfast TradFest takes place from Saturday 23rd to Friday 29th July in Belfast city centre.

Featuring a summer school, concerts, workshops, talks, lectures, sessions, céilís and a festival club, the week is the only one of its kind in Northern Ireland and brings together the Irish and the Ulster-Scots musical traditions in a shared celebration of culture and heritage.

See below for details of the summer school and all events.

For more information and booking, visit www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com.

BELFAST TRADFEST SUMMER SCHOOL

The Belfast TradFest summer school includes five days of masterclasses from Monday 25th July to Friday 29th July every day from 10am to 1pm at Ulster University, York Street.

Classes are available in:

• Fiddle (Bríd Harper, Meabh Ó Hare, Jesse Smith, Ciarán Ó Maonaigh and Doireann Glackin)
• Flute (Harry Bradley, Tara Bingham and Barry Kerr)
• Smallpipes (Brìghde Chaimbeul and Andy McGregor)
• Accordion (Dave Munnelly)
• Banjo (Angelina Carberry)
• Traditional singing (Mary Dillon)
• Guitar accompaniment (Steve Cooney)
• Tin whistle (Mary Bergin)
• Bagpipes (Alastair Donaghy)
• Concertina (Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Lorraine Ní Bhriain)
• Traditional piano (Brian McGrath)
• Bodhrán (Tommy Hayes)
• Uilleann pipes (Mikie Smith)
• Harp (Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Síle Denvir)
• Sean-nós dancing (Edwina Guckian)
• Snare drum and pipe band percussion (Gareth McLees)
• Amhránaíocht ar an sean-nós (Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh)
• Set dancing (Ronan Eastwood)
• plus Special 1-hour masterclass with Sharon Shannon on 29th July.

For further informatiion, visit www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com/music-masterclasses-2

***

CONCERTS

SHARON SHANNON BIG BAND & LIAM Ó MAONLAÍ
Date | Friday 29th July 2022
Venue | Ulster Hall
Doors | 19:30
More information and tickets

FIDDLE MONOLOGUES
Date | Sun 24 July
Venue | The Black Box
Doors | 15:00
More information and tickets

NIAMH PARSONS & GRAHAM DUNNE, SINÉAD MCKENNA
Date | Sun 24 July
Venue | The John Hewitt
Time | 17:00
More information and tickets

CATHY JORDAN & THE UNWANTED | BRENDAN LOUGHRAN & STEPHEN LOUGHRAN
Date | Sun 24 July
Venue | The Black Box
Time | 19:00
More information and tickets

FIDDLE CONCERT IN MEMORY OF SEAN MAGUIRE
Date | Mon 25 July
Venue | The Duncairn Arts Centre
Doors | 19:30
Sold out

THE BELFAST HARP FESTIVAL OF 1792 / FÉILE CRUITIRÍ BHÉAL FEIRSTE
Date | Tue 26 July
Venue | Áras Mhic Neachtain
Doors | 19:30
More information and tickets

WITH FIFE & DRUM
Date | Tue 26 July
Venue | The Strand Arts Centre
Doors | 19:30
More information and tickets

CEOL BEIRTE
Date | Wed 27 July
Venue | An Droichead
Doors | 19:30
More information and tickets

FLUTOPIA
Date | Thur 28 July
Venue | The Deer’s Head
Doors | 18:00
More information and tickets

SUNFLOWER FOLK CLUB
Date | Thur 28 July
Venue | Sunflower Folk Club
Doors | 19:30
More information and tickets

TÁ BEAN IN ÉIRINN
Date | Thur 28 July
Venue | Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich
Doors | 19:30
More information and tickets

***

SESSION TRAIL, BELFAST CITY
Details of all sessions

***

TALKS, WORKSHOPS, LECTURES & DEMONSTRATIONS
All afternoon events are free of sharge for Summer School students.

Seán Ó Riada Mo Sheanathair - Film Screening and Q&A
Date | Monday 25th July
Time | 14:30
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Bagpipe Taster Session with Alastair Donaghy & Andy McGregor
Date | Monday 25th July
Time | 14:30
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Composing Songs and Tunes with Barry Kerr
Date | Monday 25th July
Time | 15:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

The Bodhrán with Tommy Hayes
Date | Monday 25th July
Time | 15:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

“Fiddle and Fife” Exhibition
Date | Monday 25th July
Times | 15:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

‘Steps for Sets’ Dancing Class - Battering Steps with Caitlín NicGabhann
Date | Monday 25th July
Time | 16:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

“The Art of Carolan” with Máire Ní Cathasaigh
Date | Monday 25th July
Time | 16:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Harmony & Syncopation with Steve Cooney
Date | Monday 25th July
Time | 17:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Traditional Sean Nós Dancing Workshop for all ages
Date | Tuesday 26th July
Time | 14:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Banjo clinic with Angelina Carberry
Date | Tuesday 26th July
Time | 15:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Fiddle Surgery with Brid Harper
Date | Tuesday 26th July
Time | 15:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

An introduction to Sean-Nós Singing with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh
Date | Tuesday 26th July
Time | 15:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Donegal Fiddle Music with Ciarán Ó Maonaigh
Date | Tuesday 26th July
Time | 16:00
Location | Ulster University Belfast
More information

Trad on TV - Méabh O’Hare
Date | Tuesday 26th July 2022
Time | 16:00
Location | Ulster University Belfast
More information

Jesse Smith: Graphic Design & Traditional Music
Date | Tuesday 26th July
Time | 17:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

A Journey in Folksong – Fergus Woods
Date | Tuesday 26th July
Time | 17:00
Location | Ulster University Belfast
More information

Talk - The Songs of Sam Henry – Grainne Millner-Mcloon
Date | Wednesday 27th July
Time | 14:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Family Workshop in folklore customs and dances with Edwina Guckian
Date | Wednesday 27th July
Time | 14:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Beginners Pipe Band Snare Drum
Date | Wednesday 27th July
Time | 15:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

“Irish Harp Music of the 17th & 18th Centuries” with Máire Ní Cathasaigh
Date | Wednesday 27th July
Time | 15:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Singing Surgery with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh
Only 4 available
Date | Wednesday 27th July
Time | 15:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

An Informal Chat and Tune about Belfast Flute Playing
Date | Wednesday 27th July
Time | 15:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Mary Bergin: Internal Rhythms and Ornamentation in Traditional Music
Date | Wednesday 27th July
Time | 16:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Mikie Smyth- R.L O’Meally
Date | Wednesday 27th July
Time | 17:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

Harmony & Syncopation with Steve Cooney
Date | Thursday 28th July
Time | 17:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information

‘One Singer, One song’
Date | Thursday 28th July
Time | 14:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information 

Bodhrán Taster Session with Tommy Hayes
Date | Thursday 28th July
Time | 14:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information 

The Piano in traditional Irish music: A demonstration/workshop with Brian McGrath & Angelina Carberry
Date | Thursday 28th July
Time | 15:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information 

Spit & Puff with Willie Hill, Harry Bradley & Breandan O’Hare
Date | Wednesday 28th July
Time | 15:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information 

Céilí with Ronan Eastwood in the foyer of the Ulster University.
Date | Thursday 28th July
Time | 16:00
Location | Foyer Ulster University, Belfast
More information 

Regional Fiddle Styles in Irish Music with Jesse Smith
Date | Thursday 28th July
Time | 16:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information 

Amhránaíocht Chonamara le Sile Denvir
Date | Thursday 28th July
Time | 16:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information 

‘Take me Back’
Date | Thursday 28th July
Time | 17:00
Location | Ulster University, Belfast
More information 

***

FESTIVAL CLUB

GINO LUPARI, GERRY ‘BANJO’ O’CONNOR & Friends
Date | Sunday 24th July
Venue | The John Hewitt
Doors | 22:00

DYLAN CARLOS, DAVE SHERIDAN & JOHN MCCARTIN
Date | Monday 25th July
Venue | The John Hewitt
Doors | 22:00

EDEL NÍ CHURRAOIN, CATHERINE NÍ SHÚILLEABHÁIN & JOY DUNLOP
Date | Tuesday 26th July
Venue | The John Hewitt
Doors | 22:00

BRISTE – ALISON CROSSEY, EMMA ROBINSON & JOANNA BOYLE
Date | Wednesday 27th July
Venue | The American Bar
Doors | 22:00

TRODA followed by TRAD DISCO with DJ OLLIE MULLOOLEY
Date | Thursday 28th July
Venue | The Deer’s Head
Doors | 22:00 - Late

DAMIEN MULLANE TRIO followed by TRAD DISCO with DJ OLLIE MULLOOLEY
Date | Friday 29th July
Venue | The Deer’s Head
Doors | 22:00 - Late

Pride Céilí in Association with Belfast Pride
Céilí with Ciaran Kelly & Friends
With dances called by Ronan Eastwood
Date | Wed 27 July
Venue | Oh Yeah Music Centre
Doors | 20:00
Full Bar Available 

***

EXHIBITIONS
Exhibitions are on display throughout the festival week

Art Exhibition | Lorcan Vallely
Date | Sunday 24th - Friday 29th July
Entry | Free
Launch Date | Sun 24 July
Launch Time | 14:00
Venue | The John Hewitt

Fiddle & Fife Exhibition
Date | Monday 25th - Friday 29th July
Venue | Ulster University
Entry | Free
Launch Date | Monday 25th July
Launch Time | 15:00
With Willie Drennan, Johnny Murphy & local musicians from Mid & East Antrim

***

CD LAUNCHES
Full details: https://www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com/cd-launches-1
I gcómhpháirt le Raidió Fáilte / In association with Raidió Fáilte

All CD launch events are FREE to attend

Glengormley School of Traditional Music
Date | Wed 27th July
Venue | Raidió Fáilte
Time | 15:00

Grainne Milner-McLoone : The Songs of Sam Henry
Date | Wed 27th July
Venue | Raidió Fáilte
Time | 16:00

Mairead Walls : Songs and tunes from County Antrim
Date | Thu 28th July
Venue | Raidió Fáilte
Time | 15:00

Dylan Pearse : Songs from the North Country
Date | Thu 28th July
Venue | Raidió Fáilte
Time | 16:00

Brian Hughes and Dave Sheridan: However Long the Day
Date | Fri 29
Venue | Raidió Fáilte
Time | 15:00

***

For further details on all events at Belfast TradFest and booking, visit the link below.