Belfast is set to come alive with the sound of fiddles, flutes, pipes and passionate voices as Belfast TradFest returns this month for eight days, promising its biggest, boldest and most inclusive celebration of traditional music to date. The festivities will launch on Wednesday, July 25 at 5pm in the Empire Music Hall.

“It’s an iconic, famous music venue here in Belfast. Many of the greats have graced the stage there,” says festival director Dónal O’Connor. “For our opening night, we’ll have performances from Cathy Jordan, frontwoman of Dervish and recent TG4 Gradam Ceoil recipient, and Brìghde Chaimbeul, the incredible small piper from the Isle of Skye who’s making big waves on the world music scene.”

Now in its seventh year, Belfast TradFest has grown into a cornerstone of the city’s cultural calendar, drawing over 25,000 attendees, hosting 450 events and featuring 550 musicians and artists. From iconic concerts to pop-up sessions, late-night céilís to family-friendly workshops, the festival blends heritage, innovation and a passion for community.

“We’ve come a long way,” says O’Connor. “From 2,000 attendees in year one to what we’re doing now, we’re really proud  that the public seem are enjoying it so much and that they keep coming back year after year.”

The concert programme kicks off on July 27 at Ulster Hall, where Dervish, one of Ireland’s most celebrated bands, shares the stage with NOTIFY, led by boundary-pushing concertina player Pádraig Rynne. Featuring the Irish Concertina Orchestra and the MGCE Concert Orchestra, this promises to be a spectacular fusion of sound.

NOTIFY

On July 28, the spotlight shifts to the Irish language centre Áras Mhic Reachtain for the Na Máistrí – Masters of Traditional Music event, which will feature an all-star cast including Mary Bergin, Niamh Ní Charra, Stephanie Keane and members of Dervish. Hosted by cellist and composer Neil Martin, it’s a night that will celebrate the masters of Irish traditional music, song and dance.

A tribute concert to legendary fiddler Seán Maguire will follow on July 29 at The MAC, celebrating the trailblazing Belfast man with performances from some of the most-highly regarded fiddle-players on the planet like Kevin Burke, Zoë Conway, Chris Stout and many more. Also on July 29, Ceol na nGael at Cultúrlann, McAdam Ó Fiaich will celebrate the Irish language and regional song traditions, with the two-time Grammy nominee Iarla Ó Lionáird, John Carty, Catríona Ní Ghríbín and John Doyle.

On July 30, audiences can enjoy a dynamic double bill at the Empire Music Hall: the high-energy group Goitse alongside folk powerhouses Mick McAuley & John Doyle. Meanwhile, An Droichead hosts the RL O’Mealy Piping Concert, spotlighting the legacy of one of Belfast’s most influential and inclusive piping figures.

Iarla Ó Lionáird will return on July 31, with BBC Folk Musician of the Year Tim Edey, and share the stage with Ulster stars Tempest. “Tempest are brilliant, one of the best new bands around,” O’Connor notes. Another highlight event is With Pipe & Drum at Stormont’s Great Hall, where pipes, percussion and sean-nós dance collide in what will be a thrilling performance featuring Louise Mulcahy, Julie Fowlis and Aimée Farrell Courtney.

The Belfast Harp Festival (July 30, Redeemer Central) pays tribute to the 1792 gathering that preserved the harp tradition. Performers include Catríona McKay, Gráinne Hambly, the Music Generation Harp Collective and Jack Talty.

The Breath. Photo Credit: Duncan Elliott

But TradFest isn’t confined to the concert halls. The city will buzz with free outdoor gigs, lunchtime concerts and pop-up performances. Highlights include the return of Flutopia, a celebration of the wooden flute, and four family-friendly céilís across the month. The Black Box in Cathedral Quarter will be one of many venues hosting multiple vibrant shows and late-night events.

“We’re all about bringing people together through music,” O’Connor explains. “In a post-conflict society, that kind of work really matters. We’ve worked hard to ensure traditional music is seen as cross-traditions, open, and shared.”

Workshops, masterclasses, film screenings, talks and community events round out the week, offering everyone, from seasoned musicians to first-timers, a chance to join the celebration. Whether you’re sitting front-row at Ulster Hall or dancing on a Belfast street, Belfast TradFest 2024 promises an unforgettable, city-wide celebration of Ireland’s living musical tradition.

• For more information visit belfasttraditionalmusic.com