Spiddal tunes up for annual Traidphicnic

The fourth annual Traidphicnic festival will take place in Spiddal from July 3-5, with an impressive line-up including Liam Ó Maonlaí’s new band Ré, Tap Room, the Hernon Family and Friends, the Bonny Men, Skippers Alley and Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha, Charlie Lennon, Bríd Harper and Tom Byrne.

This unique festival is organised by volunteers, and access to shows is on a donate-what-you-can basis.

The Traidphicnic organisers have added a third day this year and people are welcome along to out their cúpla focal, learn how to lilt, sean-nós dance or sing.

Local musician and composer Charlie Lennon will launch the event at 3pm on Friday, July 3, with an open-air ‘gathering session’ to the rear of the Craft Village, outside Studio Cuan. That will be followed with music from Fís, followed by Tóla Custy, Laoise Kelly and Áine Ní Dhroigneáin. The Hernon Family and Mary Éinnú will take to the stage at 7pm.

Saturday will also see a full schedule of events, including a concert from Ré at 2.30pm. The band is made up of top Irish musicians including Liam Ó Maonlaí, Peter O’Toole, Eithne Ní Chatháin, Cormac Begley and Máitiú Ó Casaide.

Sunday’s concerts will also kick off at 2pm and will conclude with a show starting at 5pm with Tap Room, featuring Harry Bradley, Jesse Smith, Colm Gannon and John Blake.

For more see page 8 of T2 in this week’s Connacht Tribune, download the Digital Edition here or get the Connacht Tribune app from iTunes or Google Play