Kilkenny Tradfest

Kilkenny Tradfest has revealed the jam packed 2017 festival programme.

The festival, which is this year celebrating its fifth anniversary has once again exceeded all expectations, with some of the country’s most influential and acclaimed musicians set to play in Kilkenny City over the St Patrick’s Day weekend (16th – 19th March). Bulmers is once again the title sponsor at the festival and this years’ highlights include; Paul Brady (2017 headline act), Eleanor McEvoy, Beoga, Ushers Island, Pauline Scanlon, Declan Sinnott & Vickie Keating and The Voice Squad, to name but a few.

Kilkenny Tradfest proudly showcases the very best of Irish traditional and folk music, in a variety of unique venues across the city including Kilkenny Castle and the newly opened Medieval Mile Museum as well as the stunning St Canice’s Cathedral. This year’s festival is set to be bigger and better than ever before, with both free and ticketed events, there’s something everyone can enjoy.

The Bulmers Trad Trail is one of the highlights of the festival and features some of the country’s most recognisable musicians, as well as the latest in emerging and local new talent. The Trail runs across Kilkenny’s fabulous pubs & venues. Festival goers can enjoy over 70 FREE Trad Trail gigs over the weekend including, Beoga – Thursday 16th March, Paris Texas, Dermot Byrne, Steve Cooney and Brid Harper – Sunday 19th March, Paris Texas, Nuadán, Thursday 16th, Friday 17th, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th March, Matt the Millers and much more.

Ticketed gigs on Bulmers Trad Trail feature acts like Heidi Talbot, Sunday 19th March, Cleere’s Bar & Theatre (Tickets €15) and Fourth Moon, Sunday 19th March, Billy Byrnes (Tickets €10)

Kilkenny Tradfest was, for the first time, shortlisted for an IMRO award - more than 11,500 IMRO members voted on Ireland’s music festivals, delivering a shortlist of their top ten festivals including Kilkenny Tradfest, who won the ‘IMRO Best Small Live Music Festival of the Year 2016’ award’.