Artists headlining at Tradfest performing together outside the GPO

Tourists on Dublin’s fabled O’Connell Street this morning added an extra Irish cultural string to their bow as they happened upon an impromptu celebratory céilí outside the sun-soaked GPO. Trad Rising, the precursor and launch party for TradFest 2024, saw a gathering of headlining musicians and artists with their instruments outside the GPO as they look ahead to the January 24-28 festival. Over 100 concerts will take place across five days and nights, with historic Dublin venues such as St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle and Collins Barracks playing host to a mix of famous musical faces. Singer Mary Black, leading traditional fiddle player Bríd Harper, Phelim Drew, virtuoso guitarist Niwel Tsumbu and Altan lead vocalist Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh are just some of the big names on show. The Irish Independent spoke to Ms Ní Mhaonaigh, TradFest Artistic Director Kieran Hanrahan and Sarah Fox of Caílín Lua at the TradFest launch party.