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5th Belfast TradFest Is Launched

The 5th Belfast TradFest ( 23 July – 30 July), featuring an ambitious programme of music, has announced a partnership with McConnell’s Irish Whisky. The Belfast Thttps://www.businesseye.co.uk/new-chairman-cancer-focus-ni-appointed/radFest McConnell’s Irish Whisky Session Trail will take place across the festival, in some of Belfast UNESCO City of Music’s most iconic traditional pubs. All sessions are free admission and last two hours.

Belfast TradFest is fast growing to be one Ireland’s leading festivals of traditional music.
It brings the city alive for eight days with the very best traditional music, song and dance. The energetic pub sessions will feature the pinnacle of world-class traditional musicians, such as Joanie Madden, Neil Martin, Mary Bergin, Bríd Harper, Gerry ‘Banjo’ O’Connor, Siobhán Peoples, John Doyle and includes local heroes like Paul ‘The Brother’ Maguire, Francis McIlduff and Maeve O’Donnell and Joshua Burnside.

Participating session trail venues include Maddens Bar, The Garrick, The Second Fiddle, The Sunflower Bar, The Deer’s Head, Kelly’s Cellars, The Duke of York, Fountain Lane, The American Bar, The Black Box, The John Hewitt, White’s Tavern, The Morning Star, Henry’s, McHugh’s Bar and The Reporter Bar.

This year’s session trail will pioneer Listening Sessions. This style reflects the Céilí house traditions from previous centuries, where aspiring musicians and listeners gather at the home of a master musician. The sessions offer the aspiring musician an opportunity to listen and observe music played by musicians of the highest calibre for the first hour and then the floor is opened to all to participate.

Funded by Belfast City Council, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Destination CQ and in partnership with Ulster University, Belfast TradFest is now internationally recognised as a world-class event. Since 2017 it has grown to over 300 events across multiple stages and venues, attracting an annual audience of over 15,000 from all over the world. It acknowledges NI’s cultural diversity and brings people together in a shared celebration of traditional music from these islands.

Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Ryan Murphy said:
“I can’t wait to see our beautiful UNESCO city of music come alive with traditional music and dance in the last week of July, celebrating Belfast’s undeniable talent. It’s fantastic that the Belfast TradFest McConnell’s Irish Whisky Session Trail will be making these artforms even more accessible to new audiences – both Belfast residents, and our many welcome summer visitors – offering free sessions with some of the best contemporary talent.”

Dónal O’Connor, Belfast TradFest Artistic Director, commented:
“We’re delighted to partner with McConnell’s Irish Whisky for the Belfast TradFest 2023 Session Trail. This year our session trail will take place in fifteen of Belfast’s finest traditional pubs. Many of these bars such as Madden’s Bar, The Garrick, Kelly’s Cellars & The Sunflower support traditional music week in, week out and we’re delighted to support them and the other bars on the session trail, where we have programmed some of the finest traditional musicians on the planet for over sixty FREE sessions. Like McConnell’s Irish Whisky, Belfast TradFest honours tradition and we have great pride in Belfast and its musicians. Our Session Trail truly captures the spirit of Belfast and is not to be missed! ”

Sarah Kennedy from McConnell’s Irish Whisky added:
“At McConnell’s, we are big supporters of all things arts and culture so to support Belfast TradFest is the perfect fit for us. We know only too well what a vibrant bar scene we have in Belfast, but exploring many of these iconic venues along with some of the most exciting names in traditional music is really special. We are looking forward to enjoying the music, the atmosphere and, of course, sharing McConnell’s Irish Whisky with those who join us on the trail!”

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