Clifden Traditional Music Festival 2020

It is with sadness that this year’s Clifden Traditional Music Festival will not be going ahead as planned due to the Covid-19 Health Emergency.

The 11th Annual Clifden Traditional Music Festival will take place this year from the 2nd to the 5th of April in Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway.

Festival highlights will include Trad Sessions in the Pubs, Opening Concert, Outdoor Gig-rig on the Saturday night, Music and Singing Workshops, CD Launches, Street Entertainment, Youth Sessions and lots lots more.

The Clifden Traditional Music Festival kicks off on Thursday 2nd of April with a Seisiún na nÓg in Vaughans Bar Restaurant room.  On Friday the 3rd of April in the morning, the Scoil Mhuire Marching Band will be performing on the town square commencing at 11.30am. In the evening, the Official Opening and Concert will occur in the Clifden Town Hall at 7pm and will feature a host of artists from all over Ireland.

Saturday will see Music Workshops in Fiddle, Button Accordion and Concertina being given by top class tutors. Both intermediate and advanced students will be catered for.

Also on Saturday, the Clifden Trad Fest 5K Run will leave from the town centre at 2.30pm.  There will be Street Entertainment and music and song on the Gig Rig from 3pm and a Busking Competition will also take place from 1.30pm all around the town.

The 2020 Festival headline act will be All Ireland Champions The Blackwater Céilí Band who will appear on the Gig Rig in the Market Square on Saturday night. They will be joined by a host of dancers and guest artists.

Sessions are a very big part of the festival and again this year will feature a host of champion musicians from all over Ireland. Musicians will include members of the Blackwater Céilí Band from Co. Tyrone – Micky Curran (Accordion), George McAdam (Banjo), Mark McCrystal (Piano), Rosie Ferguson (Fiddle), Ursula McAdam (Fiddle), Lydia Warnock (Fiddle), James McCaffrey (Flute), Michael Coney (Flute), Ryan Hackett (Piano Accordion), Eugene McKenna (fiddle), Emmet Mulholland (Guitar and Vocals), Anthony Kavanagh (Banjo), Paul Clesham (Piano), Liz Kane (Fiddle), Damien McGuinness (Accordion), Jason McGuinness (Fiddle), Gearoid McNamara (Piano) and many many more musicians. All are most welcome to take part in the sessions over the weekend.

Pub sessions will take place throughout the weekend with everyone most welcome to take part. These sessions are marvellous free entertainment and open for all to attend.

For tickets, workshop details and fees, and full details of all events taking place over the festival weekend and their venues, please visit clifdentradfest.com, or follow on Facebook or Twitter for the latest details.

If you have any queries then please email them to clifdentradfest@yahoo.ie or call +353 (0)86 401 5342.