Dublin Folk Festival – Preview

The Dublin Folk Festival ‘returns after 45 years’? That’s what the blurb says anyway. The Festival started life in the mid-70s and after a brief hiatus (ahem) has returned, starting today and running until Sun, the 12th of November. The festival features some well-known names, such as Scullion, John Spillane and Gemma Hayes. You can find full details on the Singular Artists Website here.

Line Up Includes:
Gemma Hayes // John Spillane
Daoirí Farrell Trio // Ralph McTell // Scullion
7th – 12th November 2023 – Liberty Hall, Dublin

After an absence of over 45 years, Singular Artists and Conor Byrne are proud to announce the welcome return of Dublin Folk Festival, taking place 7th – 12th November 2023 in the iconic surrounds of Dublin’s Liberty Hall, in the heart of the city.

Acclaimed acts Gemma Hayes, John Spillane, Daoirí Farrell Trio, Ralph McTell and Scullion will headline the festival’s six evening shows, with support acts still to be announced.

Festival programmer, Conor Byrne–whose mother Eilish Moore was one of the organisers of the original Dublin Folk Festival in the 1970s–talks about his dream of re-establishing the festival:

“I have fond memories of the Dublin Folk Festival back in the 70s, when I was a child. This was at a time when the folk scene in the city was buzzing in the various clubs and sessions around establishments such as Slattery’s of Capel Street and the Meeting Place in Dorset St. You’d hear new, emerging acts of the time like Planxty, Dé Dannan, Clannad and The Bothy Band. With the current revival of the folk scene in the city, there is an array of talent that needs to be heard. To me, it’s a no-brainer that we should re-establish this festival and celebrate our music, our musicians and our singers. It’s been a longtime personal dream, and I’m delighted that it’s now going to be a reality.

Gemma Hayes, Liberty Hall – Wednesday 8th November 2023
John Spillane, Liberty Hall – Thursday 9th November 2023
Daoiri Farrell Trio, Liberty Hall – Friday 10th November 2023
Ralph McTell, Liberty Hall – Saturday 11th November 2023
Scullion, Liberty Hall – Sunday 12th November 2023