Feast of trad promised in Laois at Portlaoise Tradfest

Portlaoise TradFest returns over the May holiday weekend with the organisers promising a treat of live traditional Irish music, headline concerts, a session trail, and a strong sense of community and cultural celebration to the heart of Laois.

Since its establishment in 2023, the festival has become a highlight of the Irish traditional music calendar, attracting audiences and performers from across the country. Built on collaboration with local venues, organisations, and community groups, the festival continues to grow each year through these strong partnerships.

The festival opens on Friday night with a headline performance from internationally renowned group Altan at the Dunamaise Arts Centre, in partnership with the venue.

Altan are an Irish folk music band formed in Donegal in 1987 by lead vocalist Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and her husband Frankie Kennedy. Traditional Irish-language songs from Donegal primarily influence the group and have sold over a million records.

Across the weekend, Clada (Saturday) and George Murphy and the Rising Sons (Sunday) will take to the stage in Kavanagh’s, completing a strong weekend lineup of live music across the town.

Clada describe themselves as an Irish dance music band from Co Galway. Formed in March 2024, CLADA comprises five Irish musicians who all bring something different to the forefront from their musical backgrounds.

Building on a strong solo career in Ireland, George Murphy moved to the US and formed an eight-piece band, The Rising Sons.

Combining stellar vocals with traditional Irish instrumentation, they deliver a sound that combines folk and classic rock n’ roll to play a mix of original songs and revamped versions of old classics.

George spent time in Laois in recent weeks recording with local singers who are members of the Stradbally Community Choir. 

They will also feature in a video for the Dublin singer’s song People of Ireland, which celebrates the role Irish people have played in forming America.

Part of the video was shot in St Patrick's Church of Ireland chapel in Stradbally, a regular rehearsal spot for the community choir.

Workshops will take place on Saturday morning at Dunamase College and are funded by LOETB Local Creative Youth Partnership and Creative Ireland.

The festival organisers say the workshops will feature “an exceptional lineup” of tutors, including Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Áine McGeeney, Tommy Fitzharris and many more.

These sessions offer musicians the opportunity to learn in a welcoming and supportive environment.

A cornerstone of the festival is the Session Trail, running throughout the weekend in pubs and venues across Portlaoise.

"These sessions are open and inclusive, welcoming musicians and listeners alike,” say the festival team.

The trail begins on Friday afternoon and includes a wide variety of sessions such as Youth Sessions, a ‘Nice and Easy’ slow session, the Laois Traditional Singers Circle, singing and ballad sessions, as well as a Sessiún as Gaeilge in Portlaoise Library in collaboration with Cumann Gaelach Chontae Laoise.

New additions for 2026 include a Teen Session and an Inclusive Session for children and families with additional needs, led by Ros O’Meara.

The Youth Trad Battle returns on Sunday at 12 pm, providing young musicians with a platform to perform, collaborate, and gain valuable experience in front of a supportive audience.

Festival coverage throughout the weekend will be led by host Laura Callaghan (Laura Jo), bringing audiences closer to the action both in person and across social media.

Each night will conclude with the Festival Club at The Mixer, featuring late-night entertainment from DJs including Ollie Mulloy and Jim Bán.

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The Festival team invites local people to join in the fun.

“Portlaoise Trad Fest is for everyone. We know how much fun and enjoyable Irish Traditional Music can be. It has the power to change lives and we want to bring that energy to the community at large and show the people of Portlaoise how brilliant and exciting our traditional music is,” they say.

The full lineup is as follows, but the organisers say all events and times are subject to change.

Friday, May 1.

Pop Up Gaeltacht w/ Cumann Gaelach Chontae Laoise – Portlaoise Library (1:30pm)

Sessiún as Gaeilge w/ Áine – Portlaoise Library (3 pm)

Headline Concert: Altan – Dunamaise Arts Centre (7:30 pm)

Session Trail – Various venues across Portlaoise (9:30 pm)

Saturday, May 2.

Workshops – Dunamase College (11 am)

Inclusive Session for Children & Families with Additional Needs - Dunamase College (11:30 am)

Session Trail – All Day

Youth Session - Kavanagh’s (1:30 pm)

Laois Traditional Singers Circle - Humes (4 pm)

Evening Concert: Clada – Kavanagh’s (9 pm)

Festival Club w/ DJ Ollie Mullooly – The Mixer (Midnight)

Sunday – May 3

Youth Trad Battle – Kavanaghs (12 pm)

Teen Session - Midlands Park Hotel (3:30 pm)

Nice and Easy Session - Peigs (5 pm)

Singing & Ballad Session - Bergins (6:30 pm)

Evening Concert: George Murphy & The Rising Sons – Kavanagh’s (9:30 pm)

Festival Club w/ DJ Jim Bán - The Mixer (Midnight)

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The Portlaoise TradFest team say the event is made possible through the continued support of its partners, venues, and funders.

 They add that youth events are funded by LOETB Local Creative Youth Partnership and Creative Ireland, with special thanks to Patricia Wallis.

Grant aid is provided from Laois County Council by the Tourism Events and Festivals Grant, with thanks to Elaine Moore.

The festival team say they work closely with the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Kavanagh’s, Ramsbottoms/Downtown 101, the pubs and publicans of Main Street Portlaoise, Pandora Marketing, Laois Chamber Alliance, and Laois Tourism, whose support is central to the delivery of the festival each year.

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The organisers also thank the Laois Volunteer Centre for their in running the event

The festival is organised by a dedicated committee: Dale McKay (Chairperson), Bill O’Brien (Vice-Chairperson and Treasurer), Ruaidhrí Tierney (Secretary), David Harte (Session Trail Officer), and Chloe Finlay (Marketing Manager), along with a wider team of volunteers and supporters.

Full programme and ticket information at www.portlaoisetradfest.com

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