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23 Feb 2026
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23 Feb 2026
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The Cup of Tae Festival is returning to Ardara later this year. Photo: Thomas Gallagher
The 23rd Cup of Tae Festival will be held in Ardara this May Bank Holiday weekend.
The festival will take place over four days from Friday, May 1 to Monday 4. This annual celebration honours the legacy of John “The Tae” Gallagher, a renowned fiddler from the area, and showcases the rich, traditional Irish music and dance heritage of County Donegal.
Over the weekend, there will be live traditional music in pubs and cultural venues, music classes and concerts.
This year’s guests of honour are guitar player and singer Jim Byrne, and singer Fiona Byrne. Originally from Belfast and Ayrshire, Scotland, they have been living in Ardara for the past 18 years, and have been adopted into the local traditional music community.
As described by Irish Music Magazine, Jim’s “rhythmic guitar style provides a strong and colourful backbone for melody players, and he accompanies songs with an insightful and sensitive touch. He has toured and recorded widely in various settings, including with Belfast-based band Craobh Rua, and also with many Donegal instrumentalists.
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“Fiona is a highly regarded singer whose repertoire comes from her native Scotland as well as the Irish tradition. She has sung at festivals and singing sessions throughout the UK and Ireland, and recently featured on TG4's Geantrai series alongside Jim. She now also plays the fiddle, learning from many of the great Donegal players in the area.”
Music classes can be booked online at www.thecupoftaefestival.ie or by registering during the Cup of Tae Festival weekend.
Accommodation can be secured by contacting the accommodation page on Ardara.ie
For more information on the festival, visit www.thecupoftaefestival.ie or email admin@thecupoftaefestival.ie
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