Meet the Team

Martin Harte is the CEO of TradFest, and has been part of the team since day one in 2005. Creating a sense of community has been a cornerstone of his career, while showcasing the tourist experience of Dublin has been at the forefront of his work for decades.

Claudine Murray has over 20 years’ experience in marketing with a strong focus on festivals and event management, working on a number of events including TradFest, Festival of Politics, and Temple Bar Summer Nights.

Kieran Hanrahan is one of Ireland’s most respected tenor banjo players who became a household name with the folk group, Stockton’s Wing. He’s also the voice of Céilí House, RTÉ Radio One’s weekly trad show, and has been TradFest’s Festival Director since 2009. 

Noel Dempsey served as a Government TD and Minister for 24 years, and has been the Chairman of TradFest since 2014. He held a number of portfolios during his time in politics, including Communication, Education, Environment and Transport.

Stephen Rea is an internationally renowned actor and one of Ireland’s most important cultural figures, who has been TradFest’s patron since 2007. His distinguished career saw him nominated for the Best Actor Oscar in 1992 for his role in ‘The Crying Game.’

Emma Grove joined Team TradFest in 2021, researching issues of equity, diversity and inclusion for the festival, as well as ensuring historically marginalised voices are heard and amplified. She also provides guidance on policy making for future festivals.

Michaela Courtney is TradFest’s marketing and social media manager, with her focus on highlighting the artists, venues and stories of the festival. 

Medana Socaciu is responsible for ticket sale support, office administration and artist liaison during the festival.

Sinead O’Doherty specialises in arts and entertainment public relations, with her work spanning events like the Dublin Theatre Festival and Bruce Springsteen’s Irish tour. She’s a member of the PR Institute of Ireland, and implements strategic PR and media for TradFest.

Siobhán O’Donovan and Conor Stevens, also known as Mr + Mrs Stevens, identify and articulate the messages of TradFest. They’ve been part of the team since 2016, providing brand direction through copy and design, expressing TradFest in a clear and memorable way.