Kilkenny Tradfest ready to kick off

Kilkenny Tradfest kicks off tomorrow, with the great and the good of Irish music headed to the Marble City for the five day spectacular.
Stars including Duke Special, Hot House Flowers, Damien Dempsey and Colm Mac Con Iomaire (pictured) lead the charge to the event, which begins in style when Wexford quartet Corner Boy hit Paris, Texas on Wednesday night. They're one of a full 85 acts who make up the Bulmer's Trail throughout the festival; Na Fianna, John Spillane and Leonard Barry Trio are among the others showcasing their wares on the free trail throughout the festival.
St Patrick’s Day sees Kila play in the stunning grounds of Kilkenny’s Castle Park, while the following night, recent Choice Music Prize nominee Colm Mac Con Iomaire brings his talents to the beautiful setting of St John’s Priory. The former Frames man is also a guest at a special Culture Vultures, hosted by Irish Times music journalist Tony Clayton-Lea. Shifting from its traditional home at the Odessa Club in Dublin, the show will also welcome The Bonny Men (music) and Stephen James Smith (spoken word).
The Gloaming’s Iarla O Lionaird will land at the Set Theatre on Saturday evening, joined by Austrialian guitarist and singer Steve Cooney as two unique performers join forces. The HotHouse Flowers, meanwhile, play a rare intimate show in Billy Byrnes on Sunday night.
The festivities will be capped off in style by the inimitable Damien Dempsey, playing in the Set Theatre on Sunday.
For the full lineup for an exciting five days, check out [link]kilkennytradfest.com[/link].