BELFAST TURNS UP THE VOLUME WITH ST PATRICK’S MUSIC FESTIVAL 13TH – 17TH MARCH

BELFAST TURNS UP THE VOLUME WITH ST PATRICK’S MUSIC FESTIVAL 13^TH – 17^THMARCH

Belfast St Patrick’s Music Festival returns 13–17 March with five days of concerts, workshops, dance, pipe bands and a FREE Festival Village in the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast UNESCO City of Music

At the heart of the festival is a diverse, cross-cultural celebration of traditional arts in honour of St Patrick. Across five days, audiences can enjoy headline concerts, relaxed workshops, the uplifting sound of pipe bands, the fun and grace of set and céilí dancing, reflective pilgrimages, and a welcoming FREE St Patrick’s Day Festival Village in the Cathedral Quarter—inviting everyone into the city for an inspiring mix of indoor and outdoor events.

A stellar line-up confirmed includes Dougie MacLean (the legendary voice behind Caledonia), Tyrone fiddle wizards The Bow Brothers, RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Singer of the Year Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh’s new highly acclaimed band, the legendary Andy Irvine (Planxty), Manchester flute legend Michael McGoldrick with Cross Border Folk Orchestra, Brian Finnegan’s Hunger of the Skin band with special guests Heidi Talbot & Toby Shaers, Belfast harper Úrsula Burns, pipe bands, experimental Scottish smallpiper Brìghde Chaimbeul, celebrated harper and composer Michael Rooney, Conamara sean-nós dancer Becky Ní Éallaithe, uilleann piper Mick O’Brien, The Olllam’s Sean O’Meara on guitar, solo Highland piping competitions, family sessions, a trad picnic, and lots more.

Highlights include:

· Saturday 14 March – Dougie MacLean / Úrsula Burns in concert (Mandela Hall)

· Saturday 14 March – A major double bill: Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh Band / Andy Irvine (Mandela Hall)

· Saturday 14 – Tuesday 17 March – A packed participation programme of workshops (The MAC), plus Highland piping competitions, set and céilí dancing, sessions, and two pilgrimage walks with Kiran Young Wimberly & Jim Deeds

· Sunday 15 March – Brian Finnegan’s Hunger of the Skin with special guests Heidi Talbot & Toby Shaer (Empire Music Hall)

· Sunday 15 March – Pipe Band Extravaganza at City Hall, featuring Campbell College Pipe Band, Clonoe Independent Pipe Band & Hollymount Pipe Band

· Sunday 15 March – Sets Céilí Concert in the Empire Music Hall with All-Ireland Champions The Beartla Ó Flatharta Céilí Band & Ronán Eastwood

· Monday 16 March – CD/EP Launch: Moya Sweeney & Archie Churchill-Moss – ‘From The Aa’ (Oh Yeah Music Centre)

· Monday 16 March – Trad Picnic with Cleamairí Feirste / Belfast Wren Boys, Kids Céilí with Eimear Magee, sean nós dance & Bodhrán Circle

· Monday 16 March – Michael McGoldrick Trio & Music Generation Cross Border Folk Orchestra (Ulster Hall)

· Tuesday 17 March (St Patrick’s Day) – St Patrick’s Night Concert: The Bow Brothers / Aoife Scott Band (The MAC)

There will also be a St Patrick’s Day Festival Village at Cathedral Gardens and Saint Anne’s Square plus workshops, taster sessions and more. Look out for information coming soon when Belfast City Council announces the full line-up of activities.