The Mayo Manchester Tradfest which is one of Ireland’s biggest Traditional Irish Music, Song and Dance Festival returns to Mayo for the seventh time time this summer. The week long festival which runs from Thursday 1st August to Wednesday 7th August will feature over 500 performers taking part in over 100 events at 8 different Hubs in Mayo along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Tony Hennigan from Mayo Manchester commented
“Some people might get a 7 year itch, but this years festival is set to put lovers of traditional Irish Music, Song and Dance in 7th heaven with the line up for this years festival. We are delighted with the support we have received for the festival which continues to grow every year.”
Over 90% of the events in the week-long family friendly festival are free of charge and accessible to all. The areas included in this year’s festival are as follows; Achill Island, Ashford Castle and Cong, Attymass, Ballina, Bonnicononlon, Castlebar, Claremorris and Westport. The festival is already the winner of Mayo’s International Award and Tourism Ireland’s Gathering of the Year, it was also a finalist representing Mayo in Failte Ireland’s Tourism Industry Awards for festivals which attract over 50,000 visitors.
Early Bird tickets for the festival’s annual 7th Mayo Manchester Tradfest Gala Concert sponsored by Ballina’s Davy’s Tool Hire on Saturday 3rd August at the Ballina Arts Centre have just gone on sale and are priced at just 10 Euros each if purchased before the 10th July. They can be booked by contacting the centre on 096 73593 or online at www.ballinaartscentre.com
The Festivals featured performers from Manchester include the award winning Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band, Irish singer and traditional Irish musician, Joe Keegan from the TV show The Voice, flute player John Gibson and Irish fiddle player Fidelma O’Brien. Performers from Mayo include: Sean nos dancers, The Ganley Sisters as seen on RTE’s Late Late Show, the award winning Foxford Brass Band, Ballina’s Centre Stage Vocal Academy, Shauna OBoyle, Dennis McCalmont and the award winning Turley Duggan School of Irish Dancing plus Ireland’s hottest new Country act – Sina Theil. The festival’s main events will all be hosted by the Voice of Old Trafford at Manchester United Football Club, Mr Alan Keegan.
The Top Ten Main Events are as follows:
1. Thursday 1st August 6pm-8pm – Fr Peyton Centre, Attymass
Live MMTradfest broadcast by Midwest Radio
The FREE event will feature a host of Irish musicians, singers and dancers from the Mayo Manchester Tradfest plus interviews with VIP guests, the show will be broadcast live and is available online all around the globe.
2. Thursday 1st August 9pm – Breaffy House Resort Hotel, Castlebar
VIP MMTradfest Launch Concert
The VIP launch party will take place on the outdoor BBQ area of Breaffy House under a moonlight sky and will feature a host of Irish Musicians, singers and dancers from the Mayo Manchester Tradfest. Admission is FREE, if there is inclement weather the event will take place inside the Healy Bar and Restaurant area.
3. Friday 2nd August 9pm, Achill Head Hotel, Achill Island
MMTradfest ‘Around the Fire Session’
After the success of last years event at the Hotel the performers from the Mayo Manchester Tradfest will once again return to the Island to stage what has now become event at the venue. Make sure you arrive early to catch the Parade and outside performance by the award winning Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band which will kick start the evenings entertainment. Guest musicians, singers and dancers are welcome to join the traditional ‘Around the Fire Session’.
4. Saturday 3rd August, 7.30pm, Ballina Arts Centre
MMTradfest 7th Annual Gala Concert sponsored by Davy’s Tool Hire
This is always one of the main highlights of the week long festival and is always a sell out, it is advisable to purchase your tickets in the advance, Early Bird tickets have just gone on sale and are priced at just 10 Euros each if purchased before the 10th July, or 15 Euros after. They can be booked by contacting the centre on 096 73593 or online at www.ballinaartscentre.com . The concert will feature from Manchester, The Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band, Irish singer and traditional musician, Joe Keegan from the hit TV show, The Voice, flute player John Gibson from the Kitchen Ceili Band and fiddle player Fidelma O’Brien from Young, Gifted and Green. Performers from Mayo include the award winning Foxford Brass and Reed band, the winner of Ireland’s hottest new Country Act, Sina Theil, Shauna O’Boyle, Dennis McCalmont, the Turley Duggan School of Irish Dancing and Centre Stage Vocal Academy. The evening is being hosted by the Voice of Old Tafford at Manchester United Football Club, Mr Alan Keegan.
5. Sunday 4th August, 12 noon, 101st Claremorris Agricultural Show
MMTradfest will officially help launch this years 101st Claremorris show
6. Monday 5th August, 12 noon, 70th Bonniconlon Show
MMTradfest will officially help launch this years 70th Bonniconlon Show
7. Monday 5th August, 10.30pm, The Helm Bar, Westport
MMTradfest will be filming a special broadcast for IMayo TV with Henry McGlade at the popular Westport Bar which is located just by the Quays in the town.
8. Tuesday 6th August, 12 noon, Centra Store, Castlebar
MMTradfest will be visiting the newly opened Centra Store on Station Road in Castlebar to help officially launch the store which is one of the main sponsors of this years festival. The store is just around the corner from Mayo GAA’s McHale Park in the heart of Castlebar.
9. Wednesday 7th August, 12 noon, Cong Village
MMTradfest will once again be visting Cong village for a public performance at 12 noon before going onto visit Ashford Castle for a private performance.
10. Wednesday 7th August, 9pm, Tarbh47 Music Venue, Ballina
MMtradfest will be staging an end of festival closing party to officially launch the brand new Tarbh47 Music venue at 47 Garden Street in the middle of Ballina Town Centre. Arrive early to catch the Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band who will be performing outside the venue to welcome visitors into the venue. Guest musicians, singers and dancers are welcome to join in the Traditional ‘Around the Fire’ session by the performers at this years MMTradfest.
For full festival listings visit www.mayomanchester.com/events.
