All systems go for Tullamore Tradfest this weekend

With a full line up of concerts and countless hours of free music sessions in venues throughout Tullamore, the Offaly capital is the place this weekend for music enthusiasts as Tradfest 2023 gets underway.

The much-anticipated event gets off to a cracking start on Friday with legendary fiddler Frankie Gavin and Catherine McHugh in concert at 7.30pm in Tullamore Court Hotel. The award-winning duo will be supported on the night by the musical trio of Alisha McMahon on harp, Aiobheann Queally on concertine and Rebecca McCarthy-Kent on fiddle, ably assisted by Offaly’s own Michaela Keenaghan and Kildare’s Jack Lynch who will give an exhibition of sean-nós dancing.

Among the many events taking place tomorrow is an early concert, at 5pm, in the Bridge House Hotel featuring a host of musicians including Anne Conroy on accordion; Eileen O’Brien on fiddle; Mary Conroy on guitar and Deirdre McSherry on piano. This concert will feature much of the music of the late great accordionists Joe Burke and Paddy O’Brien.

Tomorrow also sees the return of the hugely-popular Festival Club in the Bridge House Hotel, with a double-bill of local legends, Best Foot Forward followed by Conor Moriarty on accordion and Sean Kelliher on guitar, who will be accompanied by a host of musical friends for a session of all sessions!

The Hup! Offaly session on Sunday is another event not to be missed and will feature the best of local traditional music talent and those who have made an outstanding contribution to the traditional music scene in Offaly. The venue is Tullamore Court Hotel and the session gets underway at 6pm sharp.

Alongside the weekend concerts, an instrument workshop will take place in Coláiste Choilm from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, and there will also be a host of free music sessions for all to enjoy in various pubs around the town throughout the weekend.