About TradFest
Our Story
TradFest has grown into more than a festival; it’s a movement to redefine traditional music as a space for innovation, inclusion and connection.
It started out as a small, niche music festival in 2006, but TradFest has since become a firm fixture in the festival calendar, with line-ups that appeal to trad purists and the culturally curious.
TradFest lights up the dark days of January, bringing a sense of celebration through the medium of cultural expression and live performance, with the very best of traditional, folk and contemporary talent from both home and abroad on offer.
With traditional music and Irish culture being the unifier that it is, and its visible revival over the last number of years, TradFest strives to play its part in the efforts to enrich the understanding of Irish identity in the 21st century.
Irish traditional and folk music has transformed dramatically over the years, so too have the spaces in which the music is performed. While sessions can be found in communities nationwide, TradFest brings them front and centre for all to enjoy.
TradFest has significantly improved the perception of the capital as a hub for quality traditional music and arts, and despite its often overlooked reputation, Dublin is a melting pot of cultural content.
Join us as we immerse ourselves in the beauty of music, celebrate the talents of our performers, and create unforgettable memories together.
The Evolution of TradFest
From modest beginnings on the cobbles of Temple Bar to a trad takeover of County Dublin, TradFest has evolved from a somewhat fringe music festival to establishing itself as Ireland’s largest celebration of trad and folk music.
The Inaugural Festival (2006)
The first ever concerts were held on Thursday, January 26th, 2006 in two venues – The Temple Bar Music Centre and The Bank of Ireland Arts Centre – with children’s events at The Ark Children’s Cultural Centre.
The new ‘Temple Bar Trad – Festival of Irish Music & Culture’ had begun.
Growth and Expanding Horizons
Brendan Gleeson and Stephen Rea, iconic actors who’ve celebrated the vibrancy and diversity of music in Ireland throughout their careers, came onboard as Festival Patrons in the years to follow, as the festival went from strength to strength.
It was in 2009 when the first name change came along, with ‘Temple Bar TradFest’ expanding to include other city centre venues, with the makings of a citywide festival on the cards.
Defining Moments of the 2010s
The 2012 festival will go down as one of the most memorable, in no small part thanks to legendary names in Irish trad and folk music getting involved. Both Moya Brennan and Frankie Gavin performed at Dublin City Hall, while The Dubliners celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a concert at Christ Church Cathedral.
Clannad’s reunion at the same venue, The Kilfenora Céilí Band performing on top of The Clarence Hotel, playwright Sam Sheppard attending the Button Factory, and Hozier making a surprise appearance during Allison Russell’s performance at St. Patrick’s Cathedral are some of the hundreds of TradFest highlights throughout the 2010s.
Adapting to a New Era: TradFest Goes Digital
TradFest was on the crest of a wave, but was forced to be completely reimagined in order to deal with restrictions imposed as a result of Covid-19 come 2021. At a time when social connections were limited to non-existent, TradFest filled the gap with a fully online festival.
Despite a pared down festival, the quality of the music remained first class with leading Irish performers such as Dervish, Altan, Eleanor McEvoy and Mike Hanrahan streaming live concerts from Dublin Castle.
Similar to cultural events around the world then, TradFest had to pivot by bringing the festival experience to audiences in the comfort of their own home. The embracing of digital platforms was very well received by audiences, not only in Ireland, but worldwide.
The Power of Collaboration
Collaboration with local authorities and organisations has been a cornerstone of TradFest’s growth, with support from Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and South Dublin County Council, bringing Irish arts and culture throughout the wider Dublin area.
Meet The team
Martin Harte
Festival Director & CEO
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
COO
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
Festival Director
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
Chairman
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
Festival Patron
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
EDI Researcher/Advisor
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
Marketing Manager
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
Cultural, Community and Office Administrator
Medana Socaciu is responsible for ticket sale support, office administration and artist liaison during the festival.
Sinead O’Doherty
Public Relations
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.
Mr + Mrs Stevens
Brand Creative Direction
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.
Don’t Miss Out
Book Your Tickets
Experience the magic of TradFest! Purchase your tickets today and get ready to create lasting memories in the heart of Dublin.
Festival Archives
With over two decades of performances across Dublin city and county, TradFest has made some unforgettable memories!
Take time to look back on official TradFest programmes, interviews with artists, and insights into the historic venues in which events are held.
