This March to mark St Patricks Week@home TradFest Temple Bar presents a special series of extra streamed concerts
Featuring

• Stephen Rea, Matt Molloy, Neil Martin, Paddy Glackin, & Felispeaks in a special tribute to the late poet Derek Mahon
• A celebration of the songs of Ronnie Drew & The Dubliners performed by his son Phelim Drew & The Drew Band
• Frankie Gavin Celebrates St Patricks Week with Edel Fox, Catherine McHugh & Sibéal Ní Chasaide
• Closing with a Sunday afternoon streamed concert featuring over 16 artists representing the Best of TradFest 21

Temple Bar, Dublin’s Cultural Quarter, may be closed for the second year in a row but the show must go on!

Tickets from €2.99 available 26th February 2021

St Patrick’s Day in Temple Bar has always attracted a large overseas audience as well as attracting thousands of Dubliners into Dublin’s Cultural Quarter. However, the Global COVID-crisis means that this won’t be possible for the second year in a row. So, until we can all be together again in music, the Temple Bar Company, who organise the January TradFest have created an additional 4 stunning TradFest nights of music featuring a selection of Irelands leading performers, in some of Dublin’s most iconic heritage buildings, and for the first time TradFest spreads its wings from Dublin Castle to the Georgian splendour of Newbridge House, Donabate in Dublin’s historic Fingal.

From March 18th -21st, TradFest brings some of our greatest artists and performers. Beginning on March 18th join Stephen Rea, TradFest patron, and one of the most remarkable Irish actors of all time, as he leads a very special tribute to his late friend and renowned poet Derek Mahon. Drawing together some of Derek’s poems coupled with music performed by the Chieftains Matt Molloy, Paddy Glackin and Neil Martin, three musicians with decades of collaboration between them. They will be joined on the night by contemporary Co. Sligo Harpist Brídín and Nigerian Irish Poet Felispeaks.

Speaking at the launch TradFest, St Patricks Week @ Home events patron & renowned actor Stephen Rea said, ‘Derek had universal vision and he wrote in a uniquely personal way, this tribute is to honor him and his work.’

This night of poetry and music will include some of Derek’s most renowned works including ‘Everything is going to be Alright’, a poem that was embraced by many as one of the consoling touchstones of the pandemic and ‘A Fox in Grafton Street’, written during lockdown.

In the Times Literary Supplement Books of the Year Richard Davenport-Hines wrote ‘At the time of his death in October, Derek Mahon was the greatest living writer in English, whose talent had been fostered by the patient dedication of Peter Fallon’s Gallery Press.’ Poems by Derek Mahon are used by kind permission of the Estate of Derek Mahon and The Gallery Press. This TradFest production is being co-funded by Fingal County Council & Culture Ireland and will also be available as part of the wider Culture Ireland Seoda Programme.

On Friday night, March 19th join legendary fiddler Frankie Gavin. The name Frankie Gavin is synonymous with De Dannan, the globally renowned band he founded with Alec Finn in the mid-1970s. In his time, Gavin has played for four American presidents, starting, as a six-year- old, when he played for John F. Kennedy on his 1962 visit to Ireland, then later for Presidents Clinton, Bush and Barack Obama. He has also played for the French President Mitterrand, Britain’s Prince Charles, Prince Albert of Monaco and most recently in front of the Pope on his visit to Ireland. Joining Frankie will be accomplished Galway musicians Edel Fox and Catherine
McHugh.

Also, featuring on Friday night’s concert is Sibéal Ní Chasaide. A young woman of the new Ireland, Sibéal’s unique vocal qualities and singing style command attention wherever she appears. She brings together contemporary and traditional songs utilising the sean-nós style.

Then on Saturday March 20th settle back for a night of the much -loved songs made famous by The Dubliners. Performed by Ronnie's son & acclaimed musician in his own right Phelim Drew & The Phelim Drew Band.

The series wraps up on Sunday lunchtime with a rousing concert featuring over 16 artists who performed during the TradFest@home January concert programme and features the Hothouse Flowers, Tolu McKay, Dervish, Altan, Aoife Scott, Maighread & Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill and many more, and all for just €2.99.

These concerts are a series of TradFest events taking place this year. While bringing great music and performances to audiences at home, TradFest is also conscious that it is vital to support artists, audiences and those in the industry at such a challenging time for live entertainment.  TradFest, run by the Temple Bar Company, is made possible by the businesses

in Temple Bar in Dublin City's Centre. While this has been a really difficult year for many of those businesses too, they remain committed to TradFest Temple Bar and supporting artists.

TradFest Temple Bar wants to send the message that Ireland is the live music destination in the world, even for those who can’t be here. We will be beaming out a series of events that could only take place in Ireland and will exude warmth and strength of character that retains the best of our heritage.

As one of six heritage properties owned by Fingal County Council Newbridge House and Farm sits on 370-acre parklands and is just a short 15-minute drive from Dublin Airport, and is just a three-minute drive from the M1 motoroway. https://www.newbridgehouseandfarm.com/ The Park also includes a major Children's Playground and Sports Pitches as well as the Newbridge Farm which is one of the few examples of a traditional working farm. Visitors can explore the farmyard, pond and paddocks around the parklands.