BELFAST TRADFEST CELEBRATES MOST SUCCESSFUL FESTIVAL YET
OVER 20,000 PEOPLE ATTEND IN 2024
After eight days of traditional music, song and dance across 30 of Belfast’s finest venues, Belfast TradFest celebrates their most successful edition yet with 640 Summer School attendees, 12 sold out concerts and céilís, and an overall attendance of over 20,000.
Artistic Director Dónal O’Connor says, “Reflecting on the completion of the 6th edition of Belfast TradFest, I am overwhelmed with a sense of pride and gratitude. Our festival has grown beyond our wildest dreams, embodying the spirit and vibrancy of traditional music, song and dance. This year’s event was a resounding success, surpassing our expectations and reaffirming the deep connection our audience feels with this cultural heritage. The festival’s aim has always been to celebrate and preserve the rich traditions of traditional Irish & Scottish music, and seeing thousands of attendees from all walks of life come together to enjoy and participate in our diverse programming is incredibly fulfilling.”
He adds, “The press and media coverage this year was exceptional, with numerous outlets highlighting the distinctive blend of summer school workshops, performances, and sessions that make Belfast TradFest the most unique traditional festival on these islands. The positive reviews and enthusiastic reporting have significantly amplified our reach, bringing the festival’s magic to an even wider audience, with many saying that ‘Belfast TradFest has arrived’. This increased visibility is crucial not only for our festival but also for the broader mission of keeping traditional arts alive and thriving. I’m particularly proud that we attracted 40 bursary sponsors this year and we were able to support 60 young musicians of varying backgrounds to attend our summer school of traditional music. Many of these young people may not have been in a position to attend otherwise, and they benefited from five days immersive tuition with master musicians, breaking down barriers to access, making new friends and opening up new possibilities.”
Damien Corr, Cathedral Quarter BID Manager said, “I am delighted to hear the attendance at Belfast TradFest was 20,000, this is great news in terms of our cultural reputation but is also indisputable proof that Art and Culture is good for business. Using the research carried out on Belfast’s night-time economy, by the independent Market Research Company CARD in June 2023, we can estimate that Belfast TradFest brought an additional £3m to the city during the festival. By any standards this is a remarkable return on investment and the key reason why Cathedral Quarter BID will continue to support this sector”.
The general response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their appreciation for the quality and variety of events on offer. From the electrifying opening Titanic Céilí which attracted c.10k to the Titanic Slipways on Belfast’s Maritime Mile, to the intimate closing sessions on the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Session Trail, the atmosphere was consistently charged with enthusiasm and joy.
Dónal O’Connor adds, “It’s heartening to hear stories of families and volunteers bonding over music, dancers and singers finding new inspiration, and musicians of all ages forging lasting connections. This sense of community and shared passion is at the heart of Belfast TradFest, and it’s what drives us to continue growing and improving. As we look forward to future editions, we remain committed to our mission of fostering a deep appreciation for traditional music, song and dance. Our work of bringing people from all backgrounds together in a cross-traditions and cross-cultural ethos, under the umbrella of traditional music continues, and with the support of our audience, press, and the wider community, Belfast TradFest will continue to be a beacon of cultural celebration and artistic excellence.”
The festival’s success is made possible through generous support of the funders and sponsors including Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Tourism Northern Ireland, Ulster University, Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, Cathedral Quarter BID, Belfast One BID, Maritime Belfast, Comhaltas, RTÉ Supporting the Arts and IMRO, as well as volunteers and the dedicated efforts of the team and board of trustees. The team are already preparing for next year’s edition which will be bigger and better again and booking for summer school 2025 is now available online with a special earlybird rate.
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