The Boyne TradFest is back in Drogheda for its third year, promising three days of traditional Irish music, workshops, and sessions that draw audiences from across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and the USA.
With 10 workshops, 13 sessions, and over 100 musicians, the festival has quickly become a highlight of the cultural calendar.
The celebrations begin on Friday, 19 September, in tandem with Culture Night. Harpist Jennifer Leahy opens the weekend with a recital in Drogheda Library at 4pm. T
he official launch follows at 6:45pm in the Highlanes Gallery with Mayor Michelle Hall, featuring performances by rising stars ÉilÃs Needham (harp, Co. Sligo) and River McGann (fiddle, Co. Clare), both recent winners of major traditional music competitions.
On Saturday, St. Oliver’s Community College hosts workshops across fiddle, button accordion, guitar, tin whistle, flute, concertina, harp, banjo, and uilleann pipes with leading tutors such as Mark Redmond, Bernadette Nic Gabhann, Catherine McEvoy, and George McAdam.
Traditional sessions run all afternoon and late into the night across local venues including Nelly’s, the Market Bar, Hops, Clarkes, and McHugh’s. A new addition this year is a traditional singing session at McHugh’s (3pm).
Saturday evening’s highlight concert takes place at St. Augustine’s Church (8pm), headlined by accordion virtuoso Damien Mullane alongside Sean O’Meara and Conor Broderick, joined by the 60-piece Nós Nua Youth Trad Orchestra, delivering an unforgettable evening of music and song.
On Sunday, Mullane leads a hands-on composition and arrangement workshop (11am), while Scotch Hall Shopping Centre hosts live music from 12–5pm, showcasing talented young musicians.
The weekend rounds out with more sessions in Clarkes Bar and Barney Macs, closing with the farewell session at McHugh’s.
With support from the Arts Council and Louth County Council, and the backing of local venues and businesses, Boyne TradFest offers something for listeners, learners, and seasoned musicians alike.
