October 3rd–7th, 2012
Oulu, Finland
www.irkku.fi

The 7th annual Irish Festival of Oulu celebrates the richness of Irish culture through theatre, poetry, film, dance, and plenty of music. Described by fans from near and far as “versatile, lively, colourful, magical and friendly”, the 2012 festival has a world– class programme designed for everyone including storytelling for grown – ups and children, daily sessions, workshops, dance course, Irish award–winning films including The Pier with director/actor Gerard Hurley, Gavin Kostic’s Fight Night theatre performances, Irish poet Tony Curtis, and an art exhibition called Into The Mist featuring colourful etchings from the Boyne Valley in County Meath.
Irish performers include: The Rapparees and Caladh Nua who will team up with local bands to entertain audiences with the best of Irish traditional music. The festival main event features the scintillating Niamh Ní Charra trio followed by Irish music legends Liam O’Flynn, Andy Irvine, Paddy Glackin, and Dónal Lunny – three Planxty co–founders and two Bothy Band originals – guaranteeing a performance of sublimely seasoned class.
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October 26th – 28th, 2012 (concerts and other music and song events)
November 2nd – 4th, 2012 (set dancing and singing events plus sessions)
www.returntocamden.org

Six days of the finest in traditional Irish music, song and dance, jam packed with concerts, céilís, set dancing, workshops and sessions at the London Irish Centre and other satellite venues.

The line–up so far includes: Tulla Céilí Band, Bryan Rooney (TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year 2012) and Pete Quinn/Le Chéile with Danny Meehan (TG4 Gradam Ceoil Hall of Fame Award 2012)/Boys of the Lough/Tommy and Siobhán Peoples with Steve Cooney/Séamus Begley and Jim Murray/Gough, Clancy, Bracken and McCarthy (founder members of Danú)/The London Lasses and Pete Quinn/Eileen O’Brien, Andrew MacNamara and Geraldine Cotter/David Munnelly, Mick Conneely (De Dannan) and Ryan Molloy/Rosie Stewart/Mairéad Casey/Niamh Parsons and Graham Dunne/Damien Mullane and Donagh Hennessy (album launch)/ Jack Talty and Cormac Begley (album launch)/ Emma Sweeney and Matheu Watson (album launch)/Martin Donohoe, Seán O’Sé and Kavan O’Donohoe/ McNamara Céilí Band plus more TBC.
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October 26th – 29th, 2012
www.patrickokeeffe.net

The 20th annual Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival will take place in Castleisland over the October Bank Holiday weekend from Friday October 26th – 29th inclusive. Growing in stature and style with every passing year, last year’s festival included an exhibition of work by local artists. It is intended to continue in that vein as the festival approaches its magical 21st in 2013. The loss of three good friends of the festival over the past twelve months has galvanised the committee in ensuring the best possible programme of events for its patrons. Founder member and former chairman, Mike Kenny passed away on August 12th, 2011 at 55 years of age. The event was his ‘baby’ from one end of the year to the other and he thought of little other than ways of improving it from one year to the next.
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October 12th – 14th, 2012
www.Feilefrankmcgann.com

Dervish set to top 10 year Féile celebrations

Superstar trad group Dervish are set to headline this year’s 10th Annual Féile Frank McGann which takes place in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon this October. The weekend, dedicated to the well–known and loved Frank McGann, has become an established event in the traditional music scene, and attracts musicians and listeners from all over the Country and from further afield.
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October 3rd–7th, 2012
www.corkfolkfestival.com

After 32 years of exciting and unique programming, the Cork Folk Festival which takes place from October 3rd–7th once again presents a packed international line–up for 2012. Headlining this year’s festival will be one of folk music’s finest troubadours, Paul Brady who last played the Cork Festival in 1985. (more…)

September 21st – 23rd, 2012
www.ardara.ie

Following on from the huge success of last years festival which brought people from all over the world to the scenic town of Ardara the organisers are confident of a successful weekend again this year. The organisers hope to provide something for everyone to enjoy, with Concerts, Céilís, Barn Dances, Sean nós, Set Dancing, Workshops, Pub and Street Sessions.
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September 14th–16th 2012
www.gerrywhelanweekend.com

Cootehill, County Cavan is again looking forward to an event–packed weekend of traditional music, song and dance as the eight annual Gerry Whelan Memorial Weekend fast approaches. The popular annual festival, which will see some of the top names in the tradition taking part in the memorial concert, pub sessions, workshops and street music pays tribute to the late Gerry Whelan, who was actively involved with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann since the organisation was founded in 1951.
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September 7th – 9th, 2012
www.tullatradfestival.ie

The annual Tulla Trad Festival takes place on the weekend of September 7th – 9th, 2012 and this year’s event has a line–up which cannot be surpassed.
All the stars for the weekend will be performing at the celebrity concert and also tutoring at the workshops on Saturday. Including in the line–up are Sibeal Davitt who is one of the Judges on TG4’s Feis and Blood.
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September 6th – 9th, 2012
www.gignthebann.com

Now in its thirteenth year the Portglenone Cross Cultural Music and Dance Festival has established itself as one of the premier and much anticipated events on the festival calendar. It has evolved into an annual event that is attended by people from the locality, from the length and breadth of Ireland and from as far as away as Canada and the USA. The festival has built a reputation for offering a highly impressive line–up of top performers spanning Traditional, Scottish, Gospel and Folk Music circles.
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August 13th – 19th, 2012
www.bathfolkfestival.org

The 3rd Bath Folk Festival takes place from August 13th–19th across this musically vibrant city. It boasts over 40 concerts, a 5 day Irish music summer school, over 20 workshops and lots of sessions. It includes a line–up of long–established well–known stalwarts, up and coming artists and those special acts that haven’t caught the press attention.

There are gigs to suit every budget (Many of them are free!) and a staggering offer on a season ticket that gives you access to every concert for only £60! Included in this line–up is Tim Edey & Brendan Power, Spiers & Boden, Karen Tweed with Des Hurley, Tom McElvogue & Chris O’Malley, Spiro, Alan Burke, Dave Swarbrick, Claire Mann & Aaron Jones, Inu, Mawkin, Blackthorn, Jon Hicks, Malarchy, Reg Meuross, Bethany Porter & the Availables, Effra, Flying Toads, Angel Ridge, Gaulois Bros, Luke Daniels, Bob & Gill Berry, Dave Sutherland & Siobhan Parr and there’s lot’s more.

For further information visit the Festival website located at www.bathfolkfestival.org