Go see Irish Traditional Music shows in October: Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Louise Mulcahy, Ceara Conway, Tradition Now, Bill Whelan
Top Traditional Music Concerts for October 2022
Here’s a look at a number of stand-out Irish traditional music concerts and gigs lined up for October 2022.
This series of articles is supported by Online Academy of Irish Music.
Headquartered in Doolin, Co. Clare, OAIM provides quality tuition in traditional Irish instruments to the world via a unique online platform.
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Mark Redmond & Cormac De Barra at Cork Folk Festival 2022 (2nd October)
The line-up for the 43rd edition of Cork Folk Festival is stacked with supreme trad players. A particular highlight sees the combined trio of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (fiddle/vocals), Mark Redmond (uilleann pipes/flute) and Cormac De Barra (harp/vocals) visit Triskel Christchurch on Sunday, 2nd October. Brought together by Music Network, the Cork Folk Festival will serve as a fitting climax to the threesome’s Irish tour. For those in Cork who can’t wait, there’s an earlier date planned for 17th September in Ionad Cultúrtha, Baile Mhúirne.
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Mark Redmond & Cormac De Barra’s Tour Schedule:
- Wednesday 14 Sep – The Sugar Club, Dublin 2
- Thursday 15 Sep – Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire
- Friday 16 Sep – Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely
- Saturday 17 Sep – Ionad Cultúrtha, Baile Mhúirne
- Sunday 18 Sep – Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith
- Wednesday 21 Sep – Station House Theatre, Clifden
- Thursday 22 Sep – Áras Inis Gluaire, Bellmullet
- Saturday 1 Oct – Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge
- Sunday 2 Oct – Triskel Arts Centre at Cork Folk Festival
Dónal Lunny, Paddy Glackin, Laoise Kelly, Heidi Talbot and Mark Redmond at Féile Liam O’Flynn in Kildare (9th October)
Legendary Kildare piper Liam Ó’Flynn will be celebrated with multiple events taking place throughout Naas and Kill Village from 7th-9th October. Sessions, concerts and workshops culminate with a Gala concert hosted by Liam Ó Maonlaí on Sunday 9th at Kill Church Hall. The final concert will feature appearances by Dónal Lunny & Paddy Glackin, harpist Laoise Kelly, Kill’s own vocalist Heidi Talbot and piper Mark Redmond performing a specially commissioned composition by Sandie Purcell. Tickets are available here.
See the full schedule here.
Zoë Conway, John MacIntyre and Bill Whelan at Ballymaloe (19th October)
Ballymaloe’s famous Grainstore is the location for a one-off show between good friends Zoë Conway, John McIntyre, and Bill Whelan. The meeting of fiddle, guitar and Riverdance composer at Ballymaloe for a unique concert was an obvious choice according to Conway:
We really feel part of the community there. Bill’s children have completed the Ballymaloe cookery course, and John and I have had musical visits for more than 15 years…
Zoë Conway
The meeting of Planxty’s former keyboard player and what BBC describe as “simply one of the best folk duos on the planet” will be a rare live performance ahead of the publication of Whelan’s memoir, The Road to Riverdance, by Lilliput Press on 27th October.
Tickets are available via ballymaloegrainstore.ie
Ceara Conway at The Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray (21st October)
Contemporary sean nós singer and visual artist Ceara Conway brings her latest project to The Mermaid Arts Centre on 21st October. An exploration of the sensibilities of the ‘cry’, the spiritually stirring sounds of CAOIN also feature Ultan O’Brien, Kevin Murphy of Slow Moving Clouds, Seán Mac Earlaine and Anna Mullarkey as Conway’s star ensemble.
Ceara Conway Tour Dates:
- Sat 24 Sept – Áras Éanna, Inisheer
- Fri 30 Sept – Siamsa Tíre, Tralee
- Fri 7 Oct – Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise
- Fri 21 Oct – Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray
- Sat 22 Oct – Belltable, Limerick
- Wed 26 Oct – Tradition Now, National Concert Hall
Louise Mulcahy at Tradition Now (26th-30th October)
Speaking of Liam Ó’Flynn, the extraordinary piper and recipient of the 2022 Liam O’ Flynn Award Louise Mulcahy brings together an exciting collaboration to The National Concert Hall for Tradition Now. Inspired by O’Flynn’s legacy, Louise will be joined by harpists (and sister) Michelle Mulcahy and Paul Dooley for a very special project. Tradition Now also features shows from The Unthanks, Luka Bloom and more.
See the full Tradition Now schedule at nch.ie
Support low trees by becoming a patron: patreon.com/lowtrees
Based in Cork? Why not support your local record shop by picking a new record up from one of these great record shops?
