The third annual Clifden Traditional Music Festival will take place on the weekend of April 13–15 with music in the public houses and hotels, as well as on the streets and on a specially constructed stage in the Town's Market Square.

The highlight will be a free outdoor performance on Saturday night, April 14, at 7.30pm, given by All Ireland Champions, the Dartry Céili Band. A host of local and visiting musicians, singers and dancers will also take to the stage. Celebrated and well established musicians from all over the country, will participate, including several All-Ireland Champions including Maura Walsh, Philip Duffy, Graham Guerin, Gearóid Keating, Pádraic Kerins, Josie and Una Canavan, Michael Curran, Chris Maguire, Bernie Conneely, Teresa Ryan, Maud Connolly, Sacra Furey, Daithí Gormley, and a host more.

The weekend begins on April 13 at 7pm in the Clifden Station House Hotel, with the official opening, which will be performed by composer, Bill Whelan who is best known for Riverdance. That will be followed by a free concert to give a flavour of what’s to come during the weekend. There will be pub sessions all weekend, including on Friday and Saturday nights, Saturday afternoon and Sunday lunchtime.

Music workshops in button accordion, concertina, fiddle and general instruments and sean-nós dance workshops will take place on Saturday, April 14, starting at 11am. These will be followed by the ever popular youth session.

There will be a Traditional Music Mass 11.30am on Sunday in St Joseph’s Church, followed by a farewell One for the Road Session in Foyle’s Hotel.

Additional events at this year’s Traditional Festival will include a céilí dancing workshop on Sunday afternoon and a CD launch on Sunday evening.

Clifden Trad Fest is also part of the town’s 200th birthday celebrations, which are taking place throughout the year.

Events are free at the Festival, which runs from April 13-15 and all are welcome. Check out clifdentradfest.com for further information.