July 21st–28th, 2013, Rostrevor Co. Down, Northern Ireland
www.fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk

2012 was an excellent year for this International Festival. Thousands of people attended the eight day event enjoying artists such as The Sands Family, The Mac Connell Brothers. John Sheahan, Eleanor Shanley, Seamus Begley, Steve Cooney, Frankie Lane, Mick Hanly, Paul Kelly, Zoe Conway, John McIntyre, Kevin Doherty, The Henry Girls and a host of other artists local and international.
The 2013 organising committee has been formed and the 27th Festival Celebrations well–advanced. Beginning as a one day event the festival now extends to eight days and nights of music, culture and entertainment. With nearly 200 events it caters for music lovers, families who wish to enjoy the safe child focused childrens programme (5 days) and those who come to soak up the wonderful scenery, friendliness and free outdoor entertainment.
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July 14th – 20th, 2013
www.sssschool.org

The 27th South Sligo Summer School of Traditional Music, Song & Dance takes place in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, from July 14th to 20th, 2013. Instruments taught include: fiddle, flute, tin whistle, harp, uilleann pipes, concertina, button accordion, piano accordion, banjo, traditional guitar and bodhrán. (more…)

June 24th – July 5th, 2013,
www.blas.ie

The Blas Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance returns to the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick for the 17th successive year this June 24th until July 5th.
Blas is now firmly established as one of Ireland’s most prestigious summer schools, drawing students from all over the world to spend two weeks gaining access to the finest Irish musicians, singers and dancers.
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May 9th – 12th, 2013
www.galwayearlymusic.com

Word Play: which came first – words or music? From 17th century Roman music to the performance of Early Irish poetry and a playful look at the dark side of fairytales, join us for a rich tapestry of medieval renaissance and baroque vocal and instrumental music. Our theme is a ‘chicken and egg’ question that will be considered from many angles. Telling stories, expressing emotions and embodying the sacred, in all these both vocal and instrumental music play a part.
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May 3rd – 5th, 2013,
www.cupoftaefestival.com

The Cup of Tae Festival in Ardara, Co. Donegal is recognised by many as the perfect festival to start off the summer festivals calender. This festival has simply got everything, open air musical sessions, top concerts, emphasis on encouraging young and up and coming talent, top class school of music, emphasis on free entertainment, loads of international musicians and plenty of crack. If you haven’t been to the Cup of Tae Festival you don’t know what you have missed. This year again the school of music will focus sessions and integrating in a session, this has proved to be an excellent experience for all as ultimately that’s what all budding musicians want to do. This year they acknowledge local family contributors to music and entertainment in Donegal, Packie and James Keeney. The Festival starts on Friday May 3rd with special concert honouring the special guests and the Forthill Céilí Band and finishes on Sunday May 5th with The John the Tae Concert. Come to the Cup of Tae Festival.

For more information call Steve at Tel: 087 2424590, email:glenardfish@eircom.net or www.cupoftaefestival.com

April 17th – 21st, 2013
The Big NYAH 10th Birthday Co Cavan Traditional Music Festival
www.cavantowncomhaltas.ie

The NYAH festival is an event of international standing. Held over two months, it presents more than 600 performers and 100 events with concerts, artists in conversations, sessions, dances, workshops, forums, late sessions, acoustic jams, social dialogue and debate, an entire children’s session, Sean nós workshops, late night cabarets and special events. They have a brilliant Traditional music and Song music scene here in Cavan with events generally marked by a relaxed family friendly atmosphere, fine musicians and singers a plenty. If you have never been to a traditional music festival they highly recommend it as feast for the ears and good for the soul.
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April 5th – 7th, 2013

www.kenmareirishmusicfestival.com

The town of Kenmare is gearing itself up for the first ever Féile Neidín, Kenmare’s new annual Irish Music Festival. The weekend is taking shape nicely and we can all look forward a really exciting weekend both this year and for many more years to come. Events during the weekend include Concert performances, frequent sessions from lunch–time every day, workshops, instrument– making demonstrations, “Seafari session” boat trips, Céilís and other activities.
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March 22nd – 25th, 2013
www.inishowensinging.ie

In 2012 the Inishowen Traditional Singers’ Circle launched The Inishowen Song Project, a partnership with the Irish Traditional Music Archive funded under the Rural Development Programme (LEADER).
Now freely available online are recordings, videos, words & photographs of Inishowen traditional singers and songs – a treasure house for Inishowen families, and for singers, teachers, and researchers both locally & internationally. Over the weekend March 22nd–25th, 2013, From Granny to Google will celebrate the expansion of the project to host 500 songs from the Peninsula. They will gather organisations from Scotland, Ireland, and the USA to present similar digital projects and to highlight the growth of such resources now freely available online.
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March 21st – April 24th & 7th, 2013 www.comhaltas.ie/events

Since 2007 Comhaltas have organised a weekend of traditional music workshops, sessions and concerts in honour of the 19th century harper Patrick Byrne. This community festival is held annually on the weekend before Easter in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan.
Topping the bill this year is Brian Finnegan, one of the true pioneers of Irish music. Front man with the legendary Flook for over 13 years, he is “without doubt one of the World’s finest whistle players.” Brian will be joined by his band for the main festival concert on Saturday 23rd March, with full support, including Fermanagh’s dynamic box sensation Darren Breslin.
On Sunday March 24th the Salamanca Céilí Band will play for the sets from 3–6pm. Consisting of Gerard Butler, Stephen Doherty, Brona Graham and David Doocey, the Salamanca’s lift and driving rhythm are sure to have everyone up on their feet.
In a separate event to the main festival, Reel It In will play a special gig to mark the 150th anniversary of Patrick Byrne’s passing on Sunday April 7th. “Progressive and talented beyond their years” this special group features Fiddler of Oriel and Fiddler of Dooney winner Niall Murphy.
Finally, central to the Féile Patrick Byrne each year are the music workshops organised by CCÉ. Tutors so far confirmed include Brian Finnegan, Darren Breslin and Gerard Butler. Details for all events, including the annual Patrick Byrne lecture, sessions, workshops, art exhibition, heritage walk, céilí and harp recital, are available at www.comhaltas.ie/events, Facebook and Myspace.
For more information visit www.comhaltas.ie/events

Ceol na mBan is a new series starting on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on 9 February which explores the topic of women and traditional Irish music.

Presenter Méabh Ní Thuathaláin, a young fiddler from Belfast, spoke to a range of female musicians about their own experiences as women players in the tradition for the series of six programmes.
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