Music Festivals this May Bank Holiday Weekend
Finally festival season is starting! There will be toe-tapping, jigging, singing and grooving all over the country with Music Festivals galore this May Bank Holiday weekend. From Donegal to Cork, and everywhere in between here’s our pick of the musical extravaganzas that are about to unfold….
May Bank Holiday Weekend Music Festivals
Trad
If trad music is your cup of tea, then the ‘Cup of Tae Festival’ in Ardara, Co. Donegal has a fantastic line up of sessions and gigs that will keep you going all weekend.
Down the road in Louisburg, Co. Mayo Féile Chois Cuain promises an array of all things traditional, to suit all ages. What is noteworthy for this Féile is the lovely balance of singing, music, set dancing and last year for the first time – sean nós dancing.
Jazz
Jazz is on the agenda at the Bray Jazz Festival. A host of top international performers are lined up to entertain Jazz aficionados. As a result, the town will be buzzing with a great atmosphere. Along with ticketed events, there is a Wicklow Wolf Jazz Trail planned. A fantastic weekend in the making.
On the same note, pun absolutely intended, the Ballydehob Jazz Festival will have West Cork chilling . This festival will combine lively swing and dance hall classics with smooth contemporary and hard hitting fusion jazz, culminating in a whole lot of world class talent nestled in a pretty little country village.
Country Music
Pack your Stetson if you’re heading to Kilconly in Co. Galway. Because, this small community will host Ireland’s Top Country music performers over three nights in the Big Red Barn as part of Wild West Country Fest. YeeHaw!
Chamber Music
Staying on the Wild Atlantic Way, but with an entirely different genre of music, Sligo International Chamber Music Festival promises a sublime program of concerts. The festival offers its loyal audience and new visitors alike a fabulous variety of artists. These visiting musicians will be performing alongside the internationally acclaimed ensemble-in-residence Vogler Quartet.
Songwriting
And finally, if creating rather merely listening to fantastic music is what you love to do, Co. Donegal is the place for you. Dunfanaghy Bay Songwriter’s Festival will be a platform for both aspiring and established songwriters to showcase their songs. In addition, there are competitions throughout the weekend, with some great prizes. But with stunning scenery, workshops galore and then a gig every evening, everyone will be a winner this weekend.