The Doolin Folk Festival kicks off this weekend with acts like Christy Moore, Aoife O’Donovan, Luka Bloom, and more

Just around the corner, the already sold-out Doolin Folk Festival is sure to be a momentous highlight of Ireland's 2023 summer.

Run by the not-for-profit Doolin Arts, an organisation founded by Hotel Doolin, the festival is meant to give back to the local community by giving a platform to artists of the West Coast.

Dónal Minihane, the Director of Doolin Arts, attests to that. “The beauty of Doolin Folk Festival is we’re not interested in being a big festival or making a profit. Our size allows us to create a unique atmosphere that for the last ten years have kept people coming back."

With acts like the folk legend Christy Moore headlining the festival's 10th anniversary show, the Doolin Folk Festival is pulling out all the stops to make the weekend unforgettable.

“I’m delighted with the invitation to play at Doolin Folk Festival this weekend," Christy divulged ahead of his upcoming performance.

"I’ve heard great reports from many quarters, and as it’s many years since my first visit to Doolin. I look forward to returning back to where Micho Russell once recorded 'Well of Spring Water.'”

Also playing at the festival are Malia's Legend of the Saharan Blues, Vieux Farka Touré, Aoife O'Donovan, and Luka Bloom, who is set to be Doolin's first headliner.

Happy Bank Holiday Weekend Everyone! 😍

Doolin Folk Festival is just around the corner with a great line up of acts, taking place from the 9th to the 11th of June in @HotelDoolin

Fore more information and for any remaining tickets, visit https://t.co/svs6Dt2qTa pic.twitter.com/HF8cHJF1ct

— Doolin Tourism | Doolin.ie (@IloveDoolin) June 2, 2023

Elaborating further, Dónal Minihane, adds that as a whole, the people behind Doolin Folk Festival are "really proud of the legacy we have created and will continue to present powerful music in an intimate setting to ensure that our audiences and our musicians feel at one and come together to enjoy the communal spirit of the festival."

"Everyone who comes to enjoy the weekend knows their music – it’s a music lover’s festival. And with that comes great pressure to deliver each year, so we are particularly delighted to announce this year’s line-up.”

Located between the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Aran Islands, people from all over the world flock to Doolin to enjoy its Folk Festival and eclectic collection of traditional folk music. The festival will take place from June 9th to June 11th.

Looking back on the beginnings of the music lover's haven, the festival's Artistic Director, Conor Byrne, remarked that “since we started way back in 2013, we have been blessed to welcome the finest singers and musicians of traditional, folk and alternative folk music to Doolin."

"This year is no different and we’re proud to have curated a festival experience with acts that need no introduction and are sure to keep the reputation we have built over the last decade alive. Doolin comes alive in a whole new way during the Folk Festival. And despite Hotel Doolin being the base for the Festival main stages, there is an incredible sense of togetherness right through the village as people share in their love for music in every pub and on every corner.”

Find the festival's full programme, here: