Portlaoise Tradfest is back from May 3 to 5
Following on from last year’s inaugural event, there are many new additions to Portlaoise Tradfest 2024.
In this year’s line up, our latest and newest event is the ‘Trad Battle of the Bands’, which will take place in Kavanaghs Bar and Venue from 14:00 – 16:00 on Sunday, May 5.
The competition is aimed at 12 – 18 year-olds and its purpose is to bring young people together to create bands, arrange music and battle it out on the day for a chance to win a cash prize of €500.
The session trail, Tradfest’s largest event, takes place in 9 pubs and establishments all over Portlaoise throughout the weekend.
This event will host 35 music sessions this year, including a traditional singing session, a ballad session, and a beginner adult friendly session.
The Festival club event, in partnership with Coppers Portlaoise, will see the close of the festival on each night over the May bank holiday weekend.
The headline acts across the three days are as follows:
- Local band, Trad Hits take to the stage Friday, May 3
- Scotland’s Project Smok play Saturday, May 4,
- Clare’s Ollie Mullooly will host a Trisco on Sunday, May 5.
All groups play from 12:30am – 02:30am.
Music workshops, being hosted in the Laois Music Centre, take place Saturday May 4, from 11:00am to 1:00pm featuring:
- Ali Levack – Tin Whistle,
- Ewan Baird – Bodhrán,
- Pablo Lafuente – Guitar,
- Cormac De Barra – Har,
- Oisín Mac Diarmada – Fiddle.
A documentary is being made about this year’s festival which will be hosted by Tara Howley.
Ms Howley will attend all the events and interview members of the committee, partners, and musicians who make this festival possible.
“A special thanks to all the following who make this possible with your kind donations and hard work,” organisers said.
“This really is a community effort, and it’s great to see such strong community spirit in the town of Portlaoise.
“Thanks to Laois/Offaly ETB, Downtown Portlaoise, Laois Music Centre, Vintners Association, Dunamaise Arts Centre, Coppers Nightclub, O’Mahoney Safety Solutions and Mckay Water Solutions.”
More info can be found at portlaoisetradfest.com.
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