Belfast Tradfest has partnered with Belfast City council to deliver this year’s St Patrick’s music festival.
Taking place over four days the programme invites people to enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor traditional arts events encompassing a diverse, cross-cultural and cross-traditions celebration in honour of St Patrick.
The craic will kick off across the city centre on Friday, March 14, with concerts, live traditional music, workshops and a festival village.
Highlights include an ‘electrifying’ show from Afro Celt Sound System at the Mandela Hall which promises to transport audiences from the rolling hills of Ireland to the vibrant rhythms of Africa and beyond. While celebrated harper Ursula Burns will bring her critically acclaimed album, The Secret Melodies of Trees, to the stage at Redeemer Central in Belfast.
The Empire Music Hall will host a Sets Céilí Concert with music from the legendary Blackwater Céilí Band and award-winning Co Down singer Cathleen Garland.
And on March 17 traditional music legends Mike McGoldrick, John Doyle, and John McCusker will perform in The MAC.
Co Derry singer Cara Dillon will also bring her acclaimed ‘Coming Home’ show to Belfast’s iconic Ulster Hall.
Additionally over the course of the festival there will be a variety of music and dance workshops as well as different taster sessions and on March 15 a selection of Ireland’s top pipers will participate in Belfast TradFest’s Solo Highland Piping Competition.
On March 14 and 17 Kiran Young Wimberley and Jim Deeds will lead St. Patrick’s Pilgrimage starting at The Big Fish and visiting sites linked to St Patrick’s story reflecting on how it can speak into our lives today, with moments for reflection, prayer and song along the way.