Boyne TradFest returns to Drogheda for an exceptional 3 days of traditional Irish music, dance and song from 18th – 20th September 2026!
The festival features instrumental workshops, recitals, céilí, concert and trad trails spanning over 20+ events across the weekend.
Our highlight events include concert with At The Racket, taking place at 8:00pm on Saturday 19th Sept in Droichead Arts Centre & our Sets Céilí with Louise O’Connor and members of 2025 All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil Céilí Band champions Glór na dTonn Céilí Band, taking place in St. Peter’s Church of Ireland Parish Hall on Sunday 20th from 3pm – 6pm.
Programme in a snapshot
Coinciding with Culture Night, the festival launches on Friday 18th September with Mayor of Drogheda Cllr. Declan Power and father-daughter duo Caitlín Nic Gabhann (concertina) & Antóin Mac Gabhann (fiddle) in the Highlanes Gallery from 7:10pm.
Collaborating with Droichead Arts Centre & NIGHT Moves, Culture Night Late celebrates traditional Irish music with sessions across Clarkes, McHugh’s & Barney Macs from 9pm into the night!
Saturday morning welcomes learners and traditional Irish music enthusiasts to Drogheda to learn from masters of the tradition in St. Oliver’s Community College from 11am – 2pm with instrumental workshops on fiddle, concertina, button accordion, banjo, guitar, bodhrán, tin whistle, flute, harp & uilleann pipes.
Followed by a number of traditional Irish music sessions in Weavers Tapestry Room (4pm), Barney Macs (5pm), Clarkes (5:30pm), The Hops (7pm) & McHugh’s (9pm), promising a driving scene for traditional Irish music in the heart of Drogheda.
We are delighted to feature At The Racket as our headline band for our Boyne TradFest concert, supported by Droichead Arts Centre from 8:00pm
Sunday continues with a busy schedule four traditional musicians with an interest in composition & arrangement, our workshop with composer & harpist Donnchadh Mac Aodha takes place in Barlow House, Droichead Arts Centre from 11am (suitable for all instruments).
New to our programme this year and with great excitement we welcome Louise O Connor & members of All Ireland Céilí Band Champions Glór na dTonn Céilí Band to host our Sets Céilí in St. Peter’s Church of Ireland Parish Hall on Sunday 20th from 3pm – 6pm. Dances called, all welcome.
Our Sunday schedule continues with traditional Irish music sessions in Barney Macs (2:30pm & 4:30pm), before bringing our festival to a close with our weekly Sunday session in McHugh’s from 6:30pm.
We would like to sincerely acknowledge the support of our venues, partners and sponsors, including Louth County Council and The Arts Council. Without their continued support, we would not be able to grow Drogheda’s festival scene and further develop and celebrate the town’s vibrant traditional Irish music culture.
Come along, get involved and experience the music, energy and tradition of Boyne TradFest 2026.
Full festival programme and tickets available at www.boynetradfest.ie.