Keen to experience traditional Irish music in Dublin this January? Here’s everything you need to know about Tradfest Templebar.
January in Ireland can be bleak, to put it lightly. The days are full of darkness, Christmas is over, and most of us place unrealistic expectations on ourselves in the form of New Year’s resolutions.
Having said that, we have a resolution that won’t make you cower in fear. This time, make it your mission to attend Tradfest Templebar, a live music festival running from 26 to 30 January in Ireland’s capital city.
Everything you need to know about Tradfest Templebar – how it all started
Founded in 2005, Tradfest Templebar continues to grow every year. The vision that started it all, known as ‘trad without frontiers’, has challenged our perspective of traditional Irish music.
Every year, Tradfest Templebar organisers endeavour to showcase Dublin’s most authentic Irish music and embrace the new and wonderful.
Here, you can witness sub-genres of trad or trad with a modern twist without having to exclude your go-to jigs and reels. This festival embodies diversity by inviting musicians from all over the country and abroad to take part.
Memorable moments in Tradfest history include the celebratory performance of The Dubliners’ 50th anniversary at Christchurch Cathedral in 2012 and the reforming of Clannad (the Irish music group) for the festival in 2011.
The highlights of Tradfest 2022 – everything you need to know
The line-up for this year’s Tradfest Templebar includes some of the biggest names in Irish music! Frankie Gavin, Daithí Gormley, and Catherine McHugh will host a tribute to the late Joe Burke, an exceptional accordion player.
The three musicians, equipped with a fiddle, accordion, and piano, will grace the stage and continue the legacy of Joe Burke. You can catch this gig at 8 pm on 26 January in The Pepper Canister Church.
On 27 January at 8 pm, The Dublin Legends, Ralph Mc Tell, and Stockton’s Wing will perform in The National Stadium.
A member of The Dublin Legends band, Sean Cannon, was the lead singer of The Dubliners for more than 30 years. Thus, you can expect to hear classic songs like ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ and ‘Seven Drunken Nights’ at this concert.
What’s more, you will also get to see the singer, songwriter, and storyteller, Ralph Mc Tell, followed by the lively trad band Stockton’s Wing. It’s a three-in-one you won’t want to miss!
See the festival’s website for the full itinerary here.
The music venues of Dublin City – which ones to put on your bucket list
Tradfest Templebar makes use of the most stunning venues scattered across Dublin City. An array of performances will occur in St. Patrick’s Cathedral during the festival.
This iconic landmark of Ireland’s capital is over 1,000 years old. Its stone walls and high ceiling allow for some haunting acoustics that will raise the hair on the back of your neck.
Dublin Castle, The National Stadium, and Lost Lane are among some of the other fantastic venues just waiting to be discovered at Tradfest Templebar.
Tradfest Online – where to find more information
We must say that the organisers of Tradfest Templebar have been killing it with their social media game!
The full itinerary for the festival was announced in October. Up until then, the organisers teased us with glimpses of venues, highlights from other years, and hints at the names of artists that were yet to be announced for 2022.
With updates being posted regularly still, the Tradfest Instagram account is worth a scroll through. Moreover, the festival website is user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
There, you will find everything you need to know about Tradfest Templebar, along with the festival archives. These A-Z archives relay each of the festival’s past performers, which we thought was a nice touch.
The organisers’ talent in terms of social media should come as no surprise; Tradfest Templebar is no stranger when it comes to online success.
Despite the limitations placed on live music in 2021, Tradfest thrived online with more performances than ever before. On the other hand, we are relieved and delighted to see the festival up and running again.
Now you’ve learned everything you need to know about Tradfest Templebar. So, which musicians are you most excited to see this January? If only we could see them all!
