trad music ireland

Trócaire have teamed up with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann to run Trad for Trócaire, a new national fundraising initiative that will launch for the first time in September 2010.

Musicians and venues around the country will  hold a traditional Irish or folk music session during the week of 23rd to 29th September in aid of Trócaire.

Sligo Live Sessions is a national festival celebrating traditional, roots and acoustic music and its taking place this year on the 21st - 25th October in Sligo town.

Now in its sixth year, it has carved out a niche as one of the most relaxed, intimate and enjoyable music festivals in Ireland and this year feature locals Kevin Burke and the Dervish Official 21st Birthday Party.

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta presenter, musician and composer Peadar Ó Riada has initiated a competition on his radio programme Cuireadh chun Ceoil to find the best traditional Irish fiddler.  The winner will receive a gold medal, Bonn Óir Sheáin Uí Riada, named in honour of Peadar’s father Seán Ó Riada, and will be announced at a gala concert in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork in December.

You can search the net but you won't find anything like this. I've just created  a google map with a list of traditional Irish music sessions in Belfast and Northern Ireland.  You can see the days and times for the music sessions.

Special tribute concert to legendary Paddy O’Brien Friday 20th August, Cavan Crystal, 9pm (as part of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann)

A highlight of the night will be the promotion of The Definitive Collection of the
Music of Paddy O’Brien 1922–1991, a book of his compositions produced by his
daughter, Eileen O’Brien

The summers in full swing in August and some of the biggest festivals of the summer take place, including the biggest of all - Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann - this year in Cavan in mid-August. This festival will see hundreds and thousands descend on Cavan from near and afar to listen and play Irish traditional music.

For those who want to further develop their advanced knowledge of Irish trad music, Meitheal is taking place from July 19th to 23rd  at the Villiers School, Limerick City in Ireland.

Fleadh Uladh makes a return to the picturesque town of Castlewellan in the Co Down for the 3rd year.

The Mourne Mountains will come alive with the sound of music from 15th-18th July when the annual Celtic Fusion International Musical Arts Festival 2010 returns to Castlewellan for its ninth year. Keenly anticipated by music lovers of all ages, Celtic Fusion 2010 will once again unite the best artists from the traditional and modern music scenes.

Aimee Farrell Courtney from Ratoath in Co. Meath was last night crowned World Bodhrán Champion 2010 at the 5^th annual festival in Milltown in Co. Kerry.

Aimee was selected as the winner from among more than 15 entries in the senior competition by judges Donal Lunny, Connor Lyons and Sandra Joyce. She has being playing the Bodhrán for some 13 years and was previously third in the competition.

The festival season gets into full-swing this month as the wait for a great summer of sunshine and traditional music is over (we hope!). One of  the best known festivals, amongst musicians in particular, is the Willie Clancy Summer School held in Clare at the start of July.