Over three decades after bursting onto the scene and creating the template followed by every Irish traditional music festival around the globe since, Ennis Trad Festival returns from the 5th to the 9th of November.
The five-day programme of events will include performances from heavyweights like the Máirtín O’Connor Band, the Karan Casey Trio and Buttons & Bows.
In addition to sessions, album launches, masterclasses, a trad quiz and a céilí, the festival features four flagship concerts showcasing some of the best performers in Irish traditional music today.
Having performed at the likes of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Belfast Tradfest and Tyrone Tradfest in recent months, acclaimed four-piece band Peter Street takes the stage at the Queens Hotel on Friday the 6th of November for a marquee concert where the group’s virtuosic musicianship and youthful energy will undoubtedly be on display.
On Saturday the 7th of November, acclaimed Scottish band Cala will take to the stage, bringing their distinctive post-traditional sound to Ennis. Blending traditional instrumentation with contemporary influences from pop and rock, Cala deliver an energetic, forward-looking take on traditional music that has earned them a reputation for electrifying live performances. Their appearance is an exciting addition to this year’s programme and promises to bring a fresh and dynamic energy to Saturday night’s concert.
A consistent highlight of Ennis Trad Festival through the years has been the Sunday night concert and this year will be a special one. Charming audiences since the 1980s, Buttons & Bows, which comprises Sligo brothers Seamus and Manus McGuire on fiddles, Cork virtuoso accordionist Jackie Daly, and Dublin-born guitar and mandocello supremo Garry Ó Briain, will headline the night at the Old Ground Hotel. Ahead of them will be a newly-formed trio Aisling Lyons, Muireann Ní Shé and Becky Ní Éallaithe, three women at the forefront of traditional practice who will give a performance of sean nós song, traditional music and dance that should not be missed.
The closing night of the festival on Monday the 9th is sure to be one to remember with a star-studded double bill concert at the Queens Hotel. Performing on the night will be the much-loved Máirtín O’Connor Band, which consists of accordion virtuoso Máirtín O’Connor, fiddler and TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year 2026, Cathal Hayden, master guitarist Seamie O’Dowd and renowned percussionist Jimmy Higgins. Blazing a trail for over 30 years, singer-songwriter Karan Casey will appear with the Karan Casey Trio for her trademark ballads, love songs and searing versions of social justice songs.
With events taking place in venues right across the medieval town of Ennis, Ennis Trad Festival is a festival rooted in community and representative of the best County Clare has to offer.
As part of Ireland’s 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Ennis Trad Festival is delighted to partner with Clare Arts Office on a special programme bringing traditional musicians from across Europe to Ennis. Curated by the festival, the programme will see European musicians join the renowned session trail, perform alongside Irish musicians in a special free concert at glór and visit local schools to share their musical traditions with young people.
Ennis Trad Festival chairperson David Stone says: “There’s a great mix this year, with some of the legends of traditional Irish music alongside a brilliant new generation of musicians and performers. Our flagship concerts are at the heart of the programme, and they showcase the incredible range of trad music being made today – get your tickets early and don’t miss out!
“The session trail is a big part of what makes the festival so special and with over 100 sessions taking place over the 5 days, the town will be buzzing! We’re also delighted to be bringing traditional musicians from all over Europe to Ennis as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency, it’s a great opportunity to experience different musical traditions and to share our musical heritage. We hope you enjoy it!”
