Just seven days to go until Kilkenny Tradfest gets under way

After two years of cancellations and disappointments, Kilkenny TradFest is finally back and the countdown is on! In just seven days there will be a wealth of live free music gigs, sessions and concerts across the city to choose from as the festival kicks off on Wednesday, March 16 and runs until March 20.

Sponsorship of TradFest is by Bulmers Ireland, and speaking at the launch Sales Manager Tadhg Buckley described the pandemic as a very bleak time for all in hospitality and full of uncertainty. He said that ‘the return of trade through the lifting of restrictions marked a new dawn with no more looking back’.

Thanking Pat and Pamela Crotty of Paris Texas for hosting the launch he wished their team and all teams across pubs and venues in Kilkenny well with the return of trade.

Local musicians led by Billy and daughter Caoimhe Carrigan, Aine McGrath, James Rice and John Bermingham set a lively, jovial tone at the launch of TradFest at Paris Texas.

Cllr Fidelis Doherty recalled how the celebration of St Patrick’s Day was ‘no longer just a trip to town, attending the parade, with not much more to do and returning home’.

She spoke enthusiastically about ‘ just how far celebrations have come in marking our national day with a strong music programme, creating real enjoyment for everyone’. In launching TradFest, she encouraged attendees to ‘have fun, enjoy the variety of live music’ playfully adding and capturing the mood of the launch to ‘have a dance and let TradFest rock’.

The Cathaoirleach thanked Marian Flannery ‘for her dynamism in creating such a great programme’ and wished TradFest every success.

In total, a whopping 88 free gigs and concerts are scheduled to take place across pubs and venues from one corner of the city to the next.

The line-up of participating venues reflects the commitment by local vintners to mark the return of live music and resumption of socialising with the end of restrictions. The Music Trail is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the familiarity of some of our favourite places again to enjoy a coffee, bevvy or a bite while listening to great music.

The Headline Trail Act at Paris Texas, Friday , March 18 features box player extraordinaire Peter Browne, with musical friends Sligo guitarist Shane McGowan, guitar; and Damien McNeffin on banjo. The skill and energy of their music is renowned; from the cut and thrust of jig tunes to jazz rhythms creating fantastic sounds. Their concert is bound to engage and enthral audiences. Peter Browne produced their first solo album ‘Sidewinder’ in 2019 to great acclaim.

‘Caliph Nua’ (the old Irish word for ‘shelter’ or ‘harbour’) comprise the very talented Derek Morrissey, Paddy Tatty, and Caoimhín Ó Fearghail who return to Kilkenny once again. Described as a ‘terrific, young band, creating solid traditional music with plenty of flair and lots of musical imagination" by Irish Music Magazine, their performance in Rafter Dempsey’s Friday, March 18 will be a special one.

On Wednesday, March 16 Cleere’s Bar and Theatre kick off with ‘The Bonnymen’ who Hot Press describe as having ‘a reputation for electric live performances with and energy reminiscent of the Bothy Band’. This reflects the tone of TradFest which is all about experiencing, enjoying and discovering familiar and new musicians right across the city. Performances follow by Seo Linn on Friday , March 18 and Inni-K Sunday, March 20 March. (This special series are paid gigs)

Chairperson of Kilkenny TradFest Brendan Treacy acknowledging sponsorship from Bulmers Ireland said ‘After the challenges of the pandemic, we are relieved and excited to finally be back in action, and to presenting another great programme of live gigs and concerts. He added that this was, in a way, the relaunch of Kilkenny, with TradFest being the first festival of the year’.

Established in 2013, organised by Kilkenny City Vintners, and supported by Kilkenny County Council, TradFest has attracted numerous accolades for its quality programming of music.

In 2016 it was awarded ‘Small Festival of the Year’ award by IMRO ‘in recognition of Ireland’s live music venues who provide the public with exceptional live music experiences, week in, week out’.

Other concert venues are: The Watergate Theatre who host the Kilfenora Ceili Band (Thursday, March 17) George Murphy and The Rising Sons (Saurday, March 19 and the legendary Paul Brady (March 20).

Meanwhile, the new Medieval Mile Museum Music Series is a very special new addition to the programme.
The Medieval Mile Music series is €20 per ticket, 7.30pm nightly, March 16-20

For information, see kilkennytradfest.com.