July 2016

Mayo Manchester Tradfest is a celebration of traditional and contemporary Irish music, song and dance featuring performers from Manchester in the UK and Co. Mayo. It will run from Friday 29th July to Wednesday 3rd August in and around Ballina and it is expected to attract over 50,000 visitors.

The festival showcases the musical and cultural links between Ireland and Manchester and is staging over 70 events such as seven headline concerts around Mayo, plus a six day music fleadh in Ballina, a Giro De Baile cycle race in Ballycastle and numerous family friendly leisure activities. Over 500 performers are involved in this years event

Performers from Mayo include: The award winning musicians Tom Doherty and David Doocey with the CCE Admiral Brown group from Foxford, The Murphy Sisters, Irish dancers The Ganley Sisters, musicians, singers and dancers from Atlantic Rhythm Production Company, The Heroes for Hospice group and acoustic singer songwriter and Brian Duffy.

The closing concert will feature the celebrated Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band along with Joe Keegan from the BBC TV series The Voice, the Keegan Academy of Irish Dance and Irish dancers, musicians and singers from Atlantic Rhythm Production Company.