The TradFest festival in Dublin, formerly TradFest Temple Bar, is now in its twentieth year and takes place this month from 22 to 26 January.

Among the events are a series of concerts celebrating the life and music of banjo player Barney McKenna of The Dubliners, and a celebration of the actor Stephen Rea. 

On 25 and 26 January, the festival will host four events in the Abbey Tavern in Howth remembering McKenna and his contribution to Irish traditional music. ‘Barney McKenna was probably the single most important and influential figure in tenor banjo playing in Irish traditional music. He changed the landscape,’ said TradFest Artistic Director Kieran Hanrahan. 

The events include an afternoon of music and stories with members of McKenna’s family (25 January), a concert with young banjo players (26th), and two concerts led by Gerry O’Connor (25th and 26th). 

TradFest will also celebrate the work of actor Stephen Rea through a series of events that began this week with RTÉ Radio One’s Arena hosting an evening at The Lark Theatre in Balbriggan, which can be listened back to here. 

The Stephen Rea festival events include a poetry night on 22 January featuring Rea, Paul Muldoon and Felispeaks; a concert featuring a Fingal County Council commission performed by Neil Martin, West Ocean String Quartet and Louise and Michelle Mulcahy and narrated by Rea (23 January); an evening exploring his theatre acting work in which Rea will be in conversation with actress Sinéad Cusack (24 January); and a concert with Matt Molloy, Maighread Ní Dhomnaill, Paddy Glackin and Derek Hickey with orchestra in a programme of music curated for Rea. 

Stephen Rea at The Lark in Balbriggan as part of RTÉ Radio One’s Arena and TradFest 2025 (Photo: Mark Stedman)

Transatlantic Women, Seán Keane and Women of Note
On 25 January at the National Stadium, fiddle player and Altan member Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh will present Transatlantic Women, a specially curated concert featuring traditional music and dance from both sides of the Atlantic, including singers Maura O’Connell, Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh. 

On 26 January in Rathcoole, fiddle player Liam O’Connor, Director of the Irish Traditional Music Archive, will host an event celebrating the life and music of fiddle player and Chieftains member Seán Keane.

Folk singer Aoife Scott will present Women of Note on 22 January at Dublin Castle, featuring folk legend Peggy Seeger, American singer-songwriter Carsie Blanton and fiddle player and singer Clare Sands. On the same day, Dublin singer Steo Wall will present an evening concert celebrating Irish Travellers in traditional music and song. 

Concerts, talks and sessions
Elsewhere, the festival will present concerts with Frankie Gavin and De Danann, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Daoirí Farrell, Emma Langford, Eoghan Ó Ceannabhaín, The Scratch, the Kane Sisters, Eleanor McEvoy, Moya Brennan, Toshín, Karan Casey, Wallis Bird, Kíla, Laoise Kelly, Varo, Landless, and more. 

There will also be talks with Peggy Seeger (23 January) and English folk singer-songwriter Ralph McTell (24 January), and a series of free sessions in pubs and venues across the city centre with artists such as Paddy Casey, Alfi, Jazzabelles and Cailíní Lua, as well as family events, markets, film screenings, céilís and more.

For the full programme, see below. For tickets and further information, visit tradfest.com.

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