Welcome to the Blackwater parade

HOLD on to your fiddles, as the Blackwater Céilí Band have been announced as the headline act to play at a prestigious trad festival in Galway in April.

The All-Ireland winning céilí band, who hail from Tyrone, will take pride of place at the well-established Clifden Trad Fest 2022 – a festival which boasts some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians, singers and dancers.

Hosted and run by Clifden Comhaltas, the event, taking place on Thursday, April 7, to Sunday, April 10, will see the performers playing in venues across the town, as part of a session trail.

The much-loved musical extravaganza will also feature music workshops; a busking competition; a 5K run; gig rig, family entertainment; a tune composition competition; and much more.

The first day of the festival, Thursday, April 7, will feature a Tune Composition Competition, while on Saturday, April 9, a variety of music workshops will pay host to top quality tutors.

Saturday is also family day with a busking competition, afternoon entertainment on the gig rig and in town, a 5K run and much more.

A full session trail will take place all weekend from Friday to Sunday.

‘Music, song, and dance’

Musicians confirmed at Clifden Trad Fest include: Caoimhe Kearins (fiddle and singer); Paul Clesham (piano and concertina); Cian Kearins (flute and singer); Niamh O Sullivan (concertina); Rachael Masterson (piano); Mark McCrystal (piano); John Bass (accordion); Rory Healy (fiddle); Plunkett O’Toole (flute); James Duggan (fiddle); Geraldine O’Callaghan (fiddle); Graham Guerin (accordion); Micky Curran (accordion); and George McAdam (banjo).

A spokesperson from the event has encouraged everyone to come along for a fantastic celebration of music.

“Clifden Trad Fest is back… and in person!” they said. “We are delighted to, again, host some of the country’s finest traditional musicians, with the headline act being Blackwater Céilí Band.

“As always, at the Trad Fest, public events are free and we encourage everyone to come along and experience what should be a great weekend of music, song and dance. We think there is something to suit everyone!”

l To keep up-to-date with all-things Blackwater Céilí Band, please visit: ‘blackwaterceiliband.com’ or to get in touch with the band, please email: ‘blackwaterceiliband.com’. Clifden Trad Fest 2022 will take place from Thursday, April 7, to Sunday, April 10. For more information, please visit Clifden Traditional Music Festival on Facebook.