Presented
by
Kieran Hanrahan, Artistic Director of TradFest
Please turn off mobile phones during the performances.
Out of respect for the performers, we would ask that audiences stay in their seats during each performance.
There will be a short pause between each performance for technical changeovers.
TradFest and Culture Ireland are grateful to The Grand Social for their assistance with this event.
Described in the Journal of Music as 'a thrilling new force in contemporary traditional music — fearless, cinematic, and crackling with raw energy', Tempest are a powerful ensemble of traditional Irish musicians from Ulster. Featuring an exciting line-up of Brendan Mulholland, Bláithín Mhic Cana, Aaron O’ Hagan and Luke Ward, they have each achieved acclaim in their respective musical careers to date. Formed in 2023, Tempest are already regarded as a vibrant exponent of traditional Irish music and song, while their debut album, released in 2025, has received wide acclaim and has been described as an 'energetic, joyful album' by the great Mairéad Ni Mhaonaigh.
CONTACT
www.tempestceol.com
Luke Ward band member
E: bouzoukilukey@gmail.com
Facebook: @TempestCeol
Instagram: @tempestceol
Youtube: @TempestCeol
Wayne Brereton, a Singer-Songwriter from Co. Offaly, garnered attention of U.S Publisher Singular Recording with his 2023 mini-album The Robins Call, leading to a debut album set for 2026. Collaborating with renowned Irish artists, John Spillane Niamh Varian Barry, Aine McGeeney. Wayne’s music blends folk and storytelling. His first single, Biddy Mulligan, releases February 21st 2026. Wayne is also working on transatlantic projects with Van Plating and Jig-Jam, continuing to showcase his distinct Irish Midlands voice in upcoming releases.
https://tinyurl.com/3h4r3nbc
Wayne Brereton Artist
E: Waynebreretonmusic@gmail.com
Instagram: @waynebreretonmusic
Facebook: @waynebreretonmusic
Saltaire is an alt-folk trio comprising singer/cellist Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz, guitarist Ian Kinsella, and bodhrán/bouzouki player Conor Lyons. Their music is atmospheric and story-driven, merging original songwriting with reimagined folk ballads and traditional tunes. They craft a fresh folk sound that feels both timeless and nostalgic. 2025 singles The Axe and Matty Groves received national and international acclaim (RTÉ, BBC, Hot Press, Belfast Telegraph). Their forthcoming EP (February 2026) is coproduced by Alex Borwick and features a powerful expanded ensemble. Saltaire can perform as a 3–6 piece, they are joined today by Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin on flute and Laura Jo on banjo.
CONTACT
www.saltairemusic.com
Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz Band member
E: saltairemusic@gmail.com / cullenverhauz.kaitlin@gmail.com
Instagram: @saltaire__
YouTube: @saltairemusic
Facebook: @saltaire.dublin
Beara pairs contemporary compositions inspired by the Beara Peninsula with tunes collected and written on the peninsula since the 18th century. Harpist Tara Viscardi and flautist Robert Harvey have performed the album at venues including the Irish Embassy London, London Irish Centre, Tuamgraney Harp Festival, Return to London Town Festival and City Assembly House Dublin as well as regularly featuring on RTÉ and BBC radio.
CONTACT
www.taraviscardi.com / www.robertharveymusic.com
Tara Viscardi Harp / Robert Harvey Flute
E: taraviscardi@gmail.com / robertharveyrmusic@gmail.com
Instagram: @taraviscardi @robertharveymusic
Facebook: @taraviscardiharpist @robertharveymusic
YouTube: @taraviscardi / @robertharvey3433/videos robertharvey.bandcamp.com
FILIDH (Fill-ee), is a Dublin based Irish trad-folk group whose award winning musicians have performed across Ireland, the U.K., North America and Australia. Blending Irish traditional tunes, Appalachian folk songs, and original compositions, the band reflects its Irish and American heritage, whilst their name - the Irish word for poets - relays Filidh’s mission to share the stories, images, and identity of their music. In October 2025, Filidh released their debut single, The Nightingale, garnering thousands of plays from fans worldwide.
CONTACT
linktr.ee/filidh
Caty Cleary Band leader
E: band.filidh@gmail.com
Instagram: @filidh.band
Facebook: @FILIDH
YouTube: @FILIDH
Emerging from the heart of an ancient Irish woodland, Sabbages take trad melodies, played on distorted whistles, fiddles and mandolins, fusing them with heavy guitars, synthesisers and hard, loud and fast drums. Known for their unconventional (and sometimes dissonant) arrangements of old trad songs and lively céilí-core originals, Sabbages curate a live show that’s borderline offensive to any trad purist – but extremely entertaining for anybody that’s up for a bit of messing.
Martin Mc Elroy Director E: sabbages.band@gmail.com
Instagram: @sabbages_band
YouTube: @Sabbages
Established in 2005, Culture Ireland’s mission is to promote Irish arts worldwide.
Through grant programmes and showcase initiatives, it supports and develops opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present their work across the globe. Through this work, it builds relationships and networks with arts and cultural organisations, relevant public bodies, state agencies and Government departments at home and abroad to advance the global impact of Irish artists.
Culture Ireland runs a regular funding scheme to support the international presentation of work by Irish artists and companies. Applications are accepted from both participating artists and from international presenters.
Culture Ireland also operates See Here, a scheme to support the inward travel to Ireland of international presenters, curators and promoters to see new Irish work on the island of Ireland available for touring.
Full details of Culture Ireland’s activities and grant schemes are available at: www.cultureireland.ie
Culture Ireland is a division of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.