Come join us for a weekend filled with amazing live music, dancing, and good craic! The festival kicks off on Thursday, August 1st, 2024

Get ready to tap your feet to the sounds of talented musicians from Ireland and beyond. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and heritage of folk and traditional music in a beautiful setting.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience the magic of live music in the heart of Ballyshannon. See you there!

Yes, for the past 47 years on the last weekend of July, the historic town of Ballyshannon in County Donegal has presented a Folk and Traditional Music Festival. We are now delighted to announce our line-up for 2024 in one of the best regions in the world as voted by Lonely Planet 2024!

Thursday 1st Aug: our first concert will come live from the Abbey Arts Centre. Tickets www.abbeycentre.ie

Where Music & Art Meet: This year, Ballyshannon Folk & Traditional Music Festival, the committee are delighted to again present an exhibition by their resident artist, Barry Britton. This exhibition will be launched on Thursday 1st August at 7pm in the Abbey Arts Centre and will be live in the centre until the end of August 2024. This is a unique opportunity to view the Barry’s artworks on display locally.

Showcase: This element of our festival allows us to showcase emerging talent, we have group and solo categories. Winners will perform over the festival weekend.

Legend Sessions: One of the many interesting fringe events will feature the seventh of the series of LEGEND SESSIONS a tribute session of two musical greats who, although no longer with us in this life continue to have a major influence on our musical heritage, will be hosted. This year the music of Patsy Cline will be joining the music of Donegal fiddler, Johnny Doherty who died in the Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon in 1980.

This gig attempts to create the session that might have taken place if they had travelled through time and space to Ballyshannon. This year’s session will be recreated by Farrah Bogle and Seamie O’Dowd and really will be one not to be missed on Sunday 4th August 2024 in the Bridgend Bar at 12.30pm!

Festival Concerts – Live in the Marquee -Friday/Saturday and Sunday at 7.00pm:

Featuring 2024 Aslan, No Crows, More Power to Your Elbow, Niall McCabe, Paddy Casey, Coscan, Dave Munnelly Band, Seamie O’Dowd, winner of the Fiddler of London Competition) Showcase winners and lots more.

Add to the mix some great Street Entertainment all weekend with lively pub sessions with our Ballyshannon Folk Trail, fringe events and workshops - this leading festival still has something to cater for all tastes 47 years later!

47th Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival

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