Cream of musical crop lending their talents to annual Galway TradFest

Participants include Sharon Shannon, Mike McGoldrick, Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, Seán Keane, Máire Ní Churraoin, Pólca 4, NxNW, Notify, Beo, Laura Jo, Ryan Molloy, Tara Breen, Noel Hill, Teague & Joyce, Becky Ní Éallaithe, Alannah Thornburgh, Pádraig Rynne, Jillian O’Malley, Máire Nic Dhiarmada, David Doocey, Megan Nic Fhionnghaile, Patrick Doocey, Emma O’Sullivan, Conor Connolly, Elaine O’Reilly, Pádraic Keane, Christy Mac Gearailt, Róisín Ní Mhainín and Ceol Connected.

This week-long celebration of Irish traditional music, song, dance and culture involves schools, venues and communities across Galway. Produced by Music Generation Galway County, the annual festival which was first held in November 2024, gives local children and young people exceptional access to quality traditional music, song and dance.

Its workshops, mentoring, school programmes, céilithe and performances, taking place this week, have allowed participants to learn directly from leading artists as they develop their skills.

'Geata' (gate or gateway in Irish), is the festival's educational pillar, with masterclasses, workshops, mentoring, instrument taster sessions, artist collaborations and performance opportunities, from introductory to advanced.

As part of that, Sharon Shannon and Mike McGoldrick are headlining a concert, Casadh, at the city's Black Box Theatre, this Friday, November 13, performing alongside some 80 young trad musicians who completed a programme of workshops and rehearsals during the week.

Singer Seán Keane, meanwhile, has been visiting primary schools, working with 288 pupils who prepared his repertoire via a series of in-school workshops, and have given concerts for their school communities.

Céilí and sean-nós dance have also featured, with school-based workshops and festival céilithe from Christy Mac Gearailt, Róisín Ní Mhainín, Becky Ní Éallaithe and Pólca 4.

Ceol Connected has been introducing some 400 young people to traditional music and theatre through SongTales sa Spéir and Sensory SongTales.

This Saturday, Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Claregalway, will host the Geata Masterclasses for musicians aged eight to 18, with leading traditional tutors and performers.

And on Sunday, emerging performers will be celebrated with a traditional youth music showcase, Lasadh. This professionally produced event, which will be live-streamed, will be headlined by Music Generation Galway County’s new youth ensemble, Beo.

There's a strong focus on Gaeilge this year, through bilingual programming and a partnership with Ealaín na Gaeltachta.

There's also a special focus on rural communities, schools and youth projects, with targeted opportunities for young people who sometimes face barriers to participation. These include people in IPAS centres and children and young people with additional needs.

“One of the driving ambitions behind Galway TradFest has been to ensure that children and young people have access to exceptional musical opportunities here in Galway, said Music Development Officer and Festival Director Eric Cunningham.

Tuilleadh eolais /more information on TradFest at [email protected] or online at galwaytradfest.ie.