OVER 30 concerts and events across Fingal as part of TradFest 2027

Ireland’s largest trad and folk music festival invites audiences to experience the best of live music in the beautiful atmospheric setting of Fingal. Celebrating 22 years next January, experience TradFest everywhere you go, from the heart of Dublin City to the castles, churches and coastline of historic Fingal.

Following a very successful TradFest in Fingal in 2026, the festival will proudly return to many of Fingal’s unique and historic venues, including Swords Castle, Malahide Castle, Ardgillan Castle, the Abbey Tavern in Howth, Donabate Portrane Community Centre, St MacCullin’s Church and Cultural Centre in Lusk, the Millbank Theatre in Rush and the Séamus Ennis Arts Centre in The Naul. In 2027 the festival expands its musical footprint again with three new venues: St Mary’s Church in Howth, St Patrick’s Church in Skerries and Howth Castle.

Showcasing the best of established and emerging musical talent, this joyful celebration of culture is reimagining, redefining Irish music, and bringing it to audiences across Fingal. Fingal acts for 2027 include: Altan, Pierre Bensusan, Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones, The Dublin City Ramblers, Tommy Sands, Eleanor McEvoy & John Spillane, Róisín El Cherif, George Murphy & The Rising Sons with Gerry Tully & Jack Nico, Zoe Conway & John McIntyre, Stephen Rea, Rónán Ó Snodaigh, Phelim Drew & Lorcan Collins, Cór Cúil Aodha, Alannah Thornburgh, SuperCéilí, Aniar, Éamon Galldubh, Bridget Mae Power, Megan Nic Ruairí, Aisling Lyons, Dónal Kearney, The Skerries Sea Sharps and more to be announced.

New for 2027 is a celebration of the harp, Ireland’s national instrument, presented with Harp Ireland and TradFest Patron Stephen Rea, with a harp ensemble performance at Howth Castle and a solo recital by harpist Alannah Thornburgh at Swords Castle. The festival also introduces a new strand of atmospheric storytelling with renowned storyteller Aideen McBride, pairing local folk tales with live music in some of Fingal’s most historic buildings.

As part of TradFest 2027, Féile Barney McKenna returns to Howth for the full festival weekend to celebrate the life and career of the legendary Dubliner in the seaside town he called home. The celebration includes a photographic exhibition at Howth Castle, the Barney Brunch at the Abbey Tavern, banjo workshops, the Barney McKenna Banjo Bursary and a series of world-class concerts featuring Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones, SuperCéilí and the Dublin City Ramblers. Barney McKenna’s playing of the tenor banjo was the backbone of The Dubliners’ music, with his unique plectrum style becoming known as “The McKenna Grip”, and over the years he became affectionately known as “Banjo Barney”.

Speaking at today’s launch, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tony Murphy, said: “It is fantastic to see TradFest return to Fingal and grow again this year. From Howth to Balbriggan, from our castles to our churches and community centres, the festival brings world-class music into the heart of our towns and villages, and it brings visitors with it. I am particularly pleased to see the festival’s accessible events coming to Balbriggan for the first time, so that everyone in Fingal can take part. I would encourage everyone to get out and enjoy it.”

In line with its audience development objectives, TradFest will also deliver an expanded community programme in Fingal in 2027. The festival’s programme of accessible, relaxed concerts and events designed for neurodivergent and differently abled audiences comes to Balbriggan for the first time.

In addition, and new to TradFest, recruitment is now open across all four Dublin local authority areas for the TradFest Community Orchestra, a participatory ensemble open to players of all backgrounds and traditions, which will make its debut at the 2027 festival.

Martin Harte, Festival Director, said: “Fingal has become one of the great homes of TradFest. Every year the county gives us something new, and this year it has given us three new venues, two of them churches with the kind of acoustics musicians dream about. Putting Altan and Pierre Bensusan into St Mary’s in Howth, and Cór Cúil Aodha into St MacCullin’s in Lusk, is exactly what this festival is for. Add Stephen Rea and Harp Ireland, Barney McKenna’s weekend in Howth, and our accessible events arriving in Balbriggan, and it is the biggest and broadest programme we have ever brought to Fingal.”

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, said: TradFest continues to bring high-quality musical and cultural experiences to communities across Fingal, showcasing the unique character of places such as Howth, Swords, Rush, Lusk, Skerries and The Naul. We look forward to welcoming audiences to what promises to be another outstanding programme in January."

Whether you love live music or are just looking for a night of Irish culture and craic, TradFest is where you want to be in January 2027.

Tickets for TradFest 2027 are available from tradfest.com