Kilkenny Tradfest has revealed the jam packed 2017 festival programme. The festival, which is this year celebrating its fifth anniversary has once again exceeded all expectations, with some of the country’s most influential and acclaimed musicians set to play in Kilkenny City over the St Patrick’s Day weekend (16th – 19th March). Bulmers is once again the title sponsor at the festival and this years’ highlights include; Paul Brady (2017 headline act), Eleanor McEvoy, Beoga, Ushers Island, Pauline Scanlon, Declan Sinnott & Vickie Keating and The Voice Squad, to name but a few.
Kilkenny Tradfest proudly showcases the very best of Irish traditional and folk music, in a variety of unique venues across the city including Kilkenny Castle and the newly opened Medieval Mile Museum as well as the stunning St Canice’s Cathedral. This year’s festival is set to be bigger and better than ever before, with both free and ticketed events, there’s something everyone can enjoy.
The Bulmers Trad Trail is one of the highlights of the festival and features some of the country’s most recognisable musicians, as well as the latest in emerging and local new talent. The Bulmers Trad Trail runs across Kilkenny’s fabulous pubs & venues. Festival goers can enjoy over 70 FREE Trad Trail gigs over the weekend including, Beoga – Thursday 16th March, Paris Texas, Dermot Byrne, Steve Cooney and Brid Harper – Sunday 19th March, Paris Texas, Nuadán, Thursday 16th, Friday 17th, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th March, Matt the Millers and much more.
Ticketed gigs on Bulmers Trad Trail feature acts like Heidi Talbot, Sunday 19th March, Cleere’s Bar & Theatre (Tickets €15) and Fourth Moon, Sunday 19th March, Billy Byrnes (Tickets €10)
Fiona Collins Brand Manager with C & C Gleeson said that the company was delighted to support the Trail and Kilkenny Tradfest, “We are always striving to support the customers and businesses in Kilkenny, our neighbouring city, who continue to be so loyal to our locally produced products. We are proud to be a South East company continuing a tradition of brewing which we share with Kilkenny. We also strive for top quality in all our products and we are delighted that the Tradfest team have put together a festival programme and the Trad Trail which compares with any festival in Ireland.”
Kilkenny Tradfest, featuring the Bulmers Trad Trail will be officially launched tomorrow (Thursday 2nd February) at 7:30pm in Paris Texas, High Street Kilkenny.
Commenting on the 2017 launch, Malcolm Noonan, Kilkenny Tradfest Chairperson said, “We are delighted to reveal the 2017 Kilkenny Tradfest Programme, it gives me great pride to see the festival go from strength to strength each year. This is down to several factors, but mainly because of the hard work and dedication of the team behind the scenes, and the support and enthusiasm we receive locally. In particular, I would like to thank Bulmers for their continued support, the organisation is the perfect fit for the festival as we both have a shared desire to celebrate the Irish heritage.”
Mr Noonan continued, “The festival is jam packed over the four days, and we are proud to present classic trad music, with contemporary blends as well. There really is something for everyone at Kilkenny Tradfest and without doubt it is the place to be this St. Patrick’s Day weekend.”
Kilkenny Tradfest has for the first time been shortlisted for an IMRO award – more than 11,500 IMRO members voted on Ireland’s music festivals, delivering a shortlist of their top ten festivals including Kilkenny Tradfest, who has been nominated for the ‘IMRO Small Music Festival of the Year 2016’ award’.
For the full schedule, with information on tickets please visit: kilkennytradfest.com
