Latest news with #BelfastTradFest
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Belfast TradFest: Hundreds in traditional music flash mob bring park to life
Hundreds of musicians have taken part in an outdoor traditional music session in Belfast city centre as part of the city's Tradfest events. The usually calm and quiet Cathedral Gardens quickly transformed with a joyful jig performed by over 900 traditional musicians in a spontaneous flash mob on Wednesday musicians of all ages and skill levels who took part are attending the Belfast TradFest summer school, taking place in Ulster University's Belfast campus. Thousands of people are expected in Belfast for the week-long celebration of Irish traditional music. Belfast TradFest, now in its seventh year, is running until 3 Artistic Director of Belfast Tradfest Dónal O'Connor led the 900 strong group in a rendition of 'The Blarney Pilgrim'."We thought it would be a nice idea to have a spontaneous session and bring the students out of their classrooms and come together to play a tune, dance and sing together."I don't think I've ever been in the company of so many traditional musicians in one place, and the beauty of the summer school is that there are people of all ages, from five years old, to our oldest student being 85."He added: "Traditional music brings people together, with young people learning from the old and old learning from the young". Mr O'Connor also explained the intentional choice behind the tune "The Blarney Pilgrim"."It made famous by the band Planxty in the 70s, but is often a tune that many people learn at the early stages of their music learning career, it is a brilliant unifier." Éimear, 21, has been playing the flute for nine years and said it "has been great to see everyone of all ages and all abilities come together to play a tune". Nellie, a summer school student, told BBC News NI the importance of the music."I live in England and have come over specifically for TradFest. I come from a very musical family and just love playing and listening to traditional music.""Trad music for me is a way to communicate. I can go in to any pub and have something in common with someone else there, it creates an instant human connection over a shared love." Family influence also plays a big part in many of the young people's journeys with their is the case for Eimhear, 13, from Portadown who has been playing the harp for four years."I started learning the harp because of my great granda... there's always music being played in my house and at family parties. My uncles and cousins also play so I wanted to do it too."
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
In pictures: 10,000 people enjoy Ireland's largest céilí event in Belfast
The celebration of song and dance – which has been coined Titanic Ceili – took place at Titanic Slipways, with a host of musicians taking to the main stage. Performers included Belfast's own Róise McHugh with Down Academy Pipes and Drum also performing alongside Kerry trad band Pólca 4. The free event ran from 1–5pm Belfast's Maritime Mile today, as part of Belfast TradFest. The outdoor, family-fun show celebrates the very best in traditional Irish and Scottish music, song and dance. See if you can spot anyone you know enjoying the céilí in our photo gallery above.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Belfast TradFest is 'top of the traditional map' says Dervish accordionist
Thousands of people are expected in Belfast for a week-long celebration of Irish traditional music that one musician said is becoming "top of the map" for the Shane Mitchell told BBC News NI that Belfast is a "traditional music hotspot" and the festival has "shot up" in recent plays with Dervish, who will open the festival at the Ulster Hall on Sunday TradFest, now in its seventh year, is running for a week from Sunday until 3 artistic director Dónal O'Connor said he looked forward to "bringing people from all backgrounds together to celebrate the very best of our cultural traditions". What's on at TradFest and where? Dónal and his team have organised 45 events over the week featuring more than 500 musicians across 33 of Belfast's venues, pubs and cultural spaces."From world-class concerts and intimate sessions to céilís, workshops, talks and family-friendly events, there truly is something for everyone," he includes masterclasses in Irish music and dancing, concerts, pub sessions and a highland piping competition. Passengers getting the train at Grand Central Station or people visiting the Titanic Quarter may even get caught in the middle of a pop-up céilí. TradFest begins with a free celebration of traditional Irish and Scottish music in the form of an outdoor céilí at the Titanic Slipways between 13:00 and 17:00 BST. The event hopes to attract more than 10,000 people with face painting, live traditional, piping and ukulele performances and interactive céilí focus then switches to the Ulster Hall at 19:00 for a collaborative concert by seasoned Irish traditional group Dervish, contemporary group NOTIFY and the Irish Concertina band Dervish has been at the forefront of the traditional music scene since 1989 when four of its founding members met at a pub session in are a six-piece contemporary instrumental ensemble whose new album features 40 musicians under the age of 18 from the Irish Concertina Orchestra . Dervish co-founder and accordionist Shane Mitchell told BBC News NI he is looking forward to returning to the "Irish traditional hotspot" that is Belfast."Belfast is a great city, really fun to visit. It was one of the first places we played at the old Belfast folk festival, 36 years ago," he this is his first TradFest, he said he admired how the festival had "shot up so quickly".He said fans attending Sunday's concert could expect "some vintage Dervish tracks" and a uniquely "Belfast setlist"."With a mixture of age groups and generations, it should be a very special event", he said. Different generations 'what it's all about' The band are staying in Belfast for the week to help lead the master workshops running during the day at Ulster University Belfast. "It's very unusual for us to stay more than one night in any place which gives an indication of how much we respect Belfast TradFest as a festival," he said."If you see us around come up and say hello and if you're a musician come and have a tune. That's the spirit of Belfast very much the top of the traditional map." After years of honing his accordion skills, Shane said he would like to pass on "different bits and pieces" to the younger musicians at TradFest. "I value the phrasing, styles and ornamentation I picked up from older musicians," he said."That's what Tradfest is all about. Different generations of musicians from different age groups."Shane's advice for younger musicians at the festival is to "get out and play as many tunes, learn from as many people as you can and enjoy yourselves". 'Unbeatable atmosphere' Maeve O'Donnell has been playing the uilleann pipes for 12 said Belfast TradFest was "always a highlight of the summer".She will be teaching at the workshops, performing at the O'Mealy piping concert on Thursday evening and playing in sessions around Belfast."I am especially excited to see Dervish, Moxie, and Kinnaris Quintet to name but a few," she said."I can't wait to be surrounded by great music, great company, and the unbeatable TradFest atmosphere." 'Thriving trad scene' Sinéad McKenna is teaching fiddle workshops and performing at the Sean Maguire tribute concert. "I think it's a fantastic week bringing people internationally to Belfast", she said."I am so happy people are getting to first-hand witness and experience the thriving traditional music scene that we have in Belfast."
Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
‘This gig is a big deal': Musician who has played with Bono and Leonard Cohen headed for Belfast TradFest
The Carlingford fiddler is joined by guitarist husband John McIntyre in the quartet for the concert as part of Belfast TradFest.
Belfast Telegraph
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Island's largest céilí festival set to return to Belfast in celebration of ‘rich legacy' of Irish and Scottish music
The celebration of song and dance, which has been coined Titanic Ceili, is expected to draw over 10,000 people to Titanic Slipways when it gets underway on Sunday, July 27. A host of musicians will take to the main stage including Belfast's own Róise McHugh with Down Academy Pipes and Drum also performing alongside Kerry trad band Pólca 4. Artistic Director of Belfast TradFest, Dónal O'Connor, said the event is a significant celebration of history and culture. 'The Titanic Céilí on the iconic Slipways of Belfast's Maritime Mile is more than a celebration of traditional music, song, and dance; it's a tribute to the rich legacy of Irish and Scottish musical traditions that have shaped this city,' he said. 'Céilí and set dancing were central to social life during the Titanic era, bringing communities together in joyful celebration. Hosting this event on the very site where Titanic was built connects us directly to that vibrant cultural past.' 'The Titanic Slipways—once the launchpad for one of the world's most famous ships—will come alive with the sounds and rhythms cherished for generations. Belfast's maritime heritage, paired with its enduring musical traditions, creates a truly unique backdrop. 'This céilí is not just a communal dance; it's a living link to our ancestors, celebrating their spirit and resilience. As we gather to dance and make music, we honour those who came before us and keep their legacy alive. It's a powerful way to open this year's festival, and we hope it's a step towards a future attempt at the 'World's Biggest Céilí'.' Ballad guitarist and singer-songwriter Meadhbh Walsh from Co Cork will also make an appearance with The Belfast Wren Boys and the internationally acclaimed Glengormley School of Traditional Music delivering an ensemble of folk songs. Families are encouraged to enjoy range of workshops and activities such as bodhrán circles, art stations and face painting at the festival. Plenty of food and drink vendors will also be there on the day of the festival which is being hosted in tandem with the Maritime Belfast Trust, Belfast City Council and Tourism NI. Kerrie Sweeney MBE, CEO Maritime Belfast Trust, said: 'We are delighted to work in partnership with Belfast TradFest for the fourth consecutive year in delivering the Titanic Céilí on our world-renowned Titanic Slipways. Watch: Flash Flooding hits parts of Northern Ireland "This year's ambitious event sees us one step closer to achieving the Guinness World Record for the largest outdoor Céilí. . "We invite everyone to come down this Sunday and be part of this journey, it's a wonderful celebration of traditional music and dance, bringing communities together on Belfast's heritage waterfront." Entry to the Titanic céilí is free. The event will run from 1–5pm at Titanic Slipways on Belfast's Maritime Mile on Sunday afternoon.
