Some of the most familiar faces in traditional music help launch the Temple Bar TradFest.
TradFest sees acts from the world of Irish folk and traditional music play at pubs and venues in Temple Bar, Dublin. This year the lineup includes artists such as The Fureys, The Dublin City Ramblers, Bagatelle and former members of The Dubliners performing as The Dublin Legends.
Kieran Hanrahan the artistic director for the festival says that the musicians enjoy the opportunity to play in smaller venues on home turf. Eamonn Campbell of The Dublin Legends enjoys playing close up and personal with the people as that is what folk music is all about. Patsy Watchorn, also of The Dublin Legends, says it is an opportunity to have a jam session in smaller venues. Liam Reilly of Bagatelle says the venues offer a more intimate environment for a performance.
There's no distance between you and the audience.
Sean Cannon of The Dublin Legends hopes to have a lot of fun throughout the festival.
Tickets for the performances are free and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
For Eddie Furey of The Fureys, the festival is an opportunity to get together with lots of other musicians.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 14 January 2014. The reporter is Sinéad Crowley.
