Ballydehob Traditional Music Festival 2020

Due to the current Covid19 crisis this year’s Ballydehob Tradfest is being postponed. It is hoped to organise another weekend later in the year.

The annual Ballydehob Traditional Music Festival will happen from the 3rd through to the 5th of April this year. With the programme covering a wide range of events, there will be something for the whole family with a veritable feast of traditional Irish music and dance. The festival will be featuring famous musicians from far and wide as well as local musicians, with a programme of wide-ranging events including an all star concert, session trails, music, song and dance workshops, a singing session, a céilí, street seisiún competitions and recitals.

This years headline act will be Eleanor Shanley & Garadice, who will be performing in Ballydehob Community Hall on Friday, April 3rd starting at 8pm.

On Sunday afternoon, the Festival Céílí with the All-Ireland Champions, The Shandrum Céilí Band will be playing in the Ballydehob Community Hall from 3pm until 6pm. Tickets for the Céilí will be available at the door for €10.

Over the festival period, Traditional music sessions can be found in nearly every public house in the village. These sessions will be happening at different times, day and night and are marvellous free entertainment open for all to attend. All musicians are invited to join in one of the many sessions or initiate their own. Please visit Session Trail for location details.

The Ballydehob Traditional Music Festival will have a series of Workshops which will be held in Scoil Bhríde on Saturday the 4th of April with the aim of promoting Irish traditional music in the Ballydehob area. The morning workshops will run from 10am to 1pm. For these workshops the Tutors will be for Fiddle: Alan Finn; Concertina: Tadgh O’Sullivan; Guitar Accompaniment: Flor Rahily and Banjo: Michael ‘Tosh’ O’Sullivan. In the afternoon from 2pm to 4pm, a Traditional Singing workshop will be held in Bank House with the tutor being Elle Marie O’Dwyer.

It should be noted that Beginners are NOT accepted for the instrumental classes as a good standard of musicianship is required.

Due to Workshop places for each instrument being limited, early booking is recommended. If you would like to book a place on one of the workshops then please visit ballydehobtradfestival.com where you can book a place. Tickets for the concert can also be booked on the festival website. For any other queries please email info@ballydehobtradfestival.com. You can also follow on Facebook for the latest details.

This festival is a community-organised festival run entirely on a voluntary basis. The organising committee consists of local musicians and music teachers – whom are all passionate about the promotion of Irish traditional music in the village and surrounding areas.