Trad — Film Review
by Frank L.

Director – Lance Daly
Stars – Megan Nic Fhionnghaile, Aidan Gillen, Sarah Greene

Shona (Megan Nic Fhionnghaile) is a talented teenage fiddle player from Donegal. Her mother (Sarah Greene) is fiercely ambitious for both Shona and her younger brother Mickey (Dallan Woods) in the competitive world of Irish music and dance. However, her relentless competitiveness and overbearing nature are steadily turning Shona away from that world and all the flotsam and jetsam that comes with it. Mickey copes better with their mother’s behaviour, but Shona longs for something different.

A form of salvation arrives when an alternative folk band rolls into town. Impressed by Shona’s talent as a fiddle player, they invite her to join them. Naturally, she accepts, and the film gradually evolves into a compelling blend of road movie and coming-of-age story.

The eccentric, hippie-like band is led by the flamboyantly dressed Harky (Aidan Gillen), who is old enough to be Shona’s father. Her actual father, Des McAnally, is played by Peter Coonan. Among the band members is guitarist Ray (Cathal Coade Palmer), with whom Shona develops a romantic connection. As the two navigate the confusion and excitement of young attraction, Ray’s guitar accompaniment gives Nic Fhionnghaile ample opportunity to showcase her remarkable skills as a fiddle player. Meanwhile, the band’s ongoing tour allows the camera to capture the richness, diversity, and beauty of the Irish countryside.

This is Nic Fhionnghaile’s debut screen performance, and she is immensely impressive as a stroppy teenager trying to find her place in the world. The film’s greatest strength, however, lies in its music. The performances are vibrant and heartfelt, making the film consistently engaging and enjoyable. The music reaches its peak in the final sequence, where a large gathering of musicians comes together in a joyous traditional session.

Made on a modest budget, Trad celebrates both the splendour of the Irish countryside and the enduring power of traditional Irish music. Megan Nic Fhionnghaile is a remarkable discovery, both as an actor and as a musician. In an age filled with grim headlines and little good news, this film offers ninety minutes of warmth and escape — a journey into a world where traditional Irish music, played with joy and passion, has the power to uplift.