Musicians from across the country have gathered today to mark the launch of the 21st Tradfest.
With the theme "heart and ceol', the festival, that began over two decades ago in Dublin city centre, now stretches across the four boroughs of the country - with Dún Laoghaire coming on board this year for the first time.
Tradfest, which is Ireland's largest traditional and folk music celebration, is a place where musicians from across the country can come together in a busy programme of events.
"Many musicians say that they really enjoy Tradfest as it offers them a platform in Dublin city centre which is something they don't always have easy access to," said Festival Director Kieran Hanrahan.
"It is a vaulable experience for them," he added.
Collaborating with partners including Ablefest, one of this year's festival ambassadors, is a musician with down syndrome, Fionn Crombie Angus.
He is an accomplished fiddle player who plays in a musical duo called Fionnathan, a combination of his and his father Jonathan's names.
An experienced performer, he has drawn many fans to his Youtube content and he said that he was "very excited for Tradfest" and that he "is very proud" of his music playing.
He is looking forward to a busy few days as Fionnathan takes to the stages during the festival.
Mike Hanrahan, of Stockton's Wing, was at the launch too, celebrating his new single, recorded with singer Eleanor Shanley, called On Craggy Hill.
He said that the enduring appeal of Tradfest goes back to "the ethos that has always been to promote the younger artists and the younger writers, and celebrate the people like me who are here for a few years, and it's a great mix".
Mr Hanrahan, who is looking forward to playing gigs at the festival with Ms Shanley this year, said that there "are plans being made already to celebrate 50 years of Stockton's Wing next year in 2027".
He was quick to point out though, that he was not an original member and did not join until "a few years after the lads set it up", he joked.
The acclaimed performer said that Tradfest has an appeal for musicians as it "gives us all the chance to play together" and that it "gives us a chance to meet each other, meet the younger artists, and see who's coming up".
He added that he thinks that "that's the magic of it too, it's cross generational."
"It's attracted so many people, not just from Ireland but from all over the world," Ms Shanley said.
She said that she enjoys how "you're going down the street here in town, and you see people going running around the place with fiddles and banjos and guitars and, God knows what, it's just a great atmosphere, a great buzz, and that's it's just expanding all the time".
Sean Ó Sé, another legendary singer, was also due to receive his life time achievement award this year, but he sadly passed away on 13 January.
The Poc ar Buille singer was a popular figure on the trad scene and Mr Hanrahan said he will be "in our thoughts and hearts this week".
Mr Hanrahan explained that an tUasal Ó Sé knew that he was receiving the award before he died, so "it is a poignant week for all of us here".
TradFest 2026 will run from today until Sunday, bringing performances, informal sessions and pop‑up cultural moments to Dublin’s most popular civic spaces, shopping districts and historic venues.
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