Ballydehob Traditional Music Festival

The tenth annual Ballydehob Traditional Music Festival will happen from the 13th through to the 15th of April this year. With the programme covering a wide range of events, there will be something for the whole family.

This years headline act will be the world-famous traditional group Danú, whose members hail from the Counties of Waterford, Cork, Dublin and Donegal and will be performing in Ballydehob Community Hall on Saturday, April 14th 2018 at 8pm.

On Sunday, April 15th a Street Seisiún Competition will occur between 1.30-3pm followed by the Festival Céílí with the All-Ireland Champions, The Shandrum Céilí Band 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.

A series of Workshops will be held in Scoil Bhríde on Saturday the 14th 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: Mairéad Casey; Concertina: Clíona Halley and Flute: Conal Ó Gráda. In the afternoon from 2pm to 4pm, a Traditional Singing workshop will be held with the tutor being Nell Ní Chróinín.

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 [email protected].

This festival is a community-organised festival run entirely on a voluntary basis. The organizing 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.