Dublin’s TradFest moves into The Liberties

Dublin saw the launch of the 10th annual Temple Bar TradFest on Wednesday with the celebrations set to continue throughout the weekend, incorporating a range of events.

Temple Bar TradFest. Credit: www.facebook.com/TempleBarTradFest/photos

The organisers of the event, the Temple Bar Company, have been working to expand the traditional music festival – the largest event of its kind in the country. Festival director Kieran Hanrahan told of his delight at having “added some unique new venues including Dublin Castle and The House of Lords.”

The Temple Bar Company says that they are “excited to be moving to the Liberties this year”, with the iconic St Catherine’s Church on Thomas Street, in the heart of the Liberties, also set to be used.

The organisers have expressed their particular pride at holding their music conference in St Catherine’s Church as it was the venue where The Chieftains held their first Irish performance.

The conference is being held this coming Saturday, the second last day of the festival, in association with the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and the Dublin City Council.

There will be two panels of discussions chaired by renowned singer/songwriter Eleanor McEvoy. The first panel of discussion, beginning at 11am, will be a promotional platform for traditional music artists. The second panel will be held thereafter, at 2.30pm, when the participants will be discussing Irish music in the international market.

The panellists include a range of representatives of Irish Music media such as Tony Lawless, the music and culture journalist for the Irish Times and founder of Trad Connect, Enda Scahill of the group We banjo 3, as well as representatives from The Milwaukee Irish Fest, one of the largest US Irish traditional music festivals.

The conference will feature showcase performances by emerging traditional Irish music acts. Áine Heslin, a Clare-based composer and flute player, will be performing as well as a new Irish trad group, The Trí Tones.

There will also be a live trad and folk music session held in Arthur’s pub on Thomas Street starting at 4pm on Saturday.