Malahide Castle showcased in "TradFest: The Fingal Sessions"

Fingal County Council is delighted to announce a fantastic new traditional music series “TradFest - the Fingal Sessions”, which is set to air on RTÉ for the next six weeks. It will showcase the spectacular Malahide Castle venue in Fingal.  The series was filmed during TradFest 2023 and has already showcased Fingal to an international audience in the United States.

The series where you can take a journey through the sounds and stories of Ireland, can be viewed on the primetime RTÉ1 slot of 8.30pm on Friday evenings, is repeated at 2.20pm on Saturday afternoons and will also be available on the RTE Player.

Hosted by Fiachna Ó Braonáin and featuring legendary guests Judy Collins, Moya Brennan from Clannad, Eddi Reader, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh from Altan, Ralph McTell, Gemma Hayes, Liam Ó Maonlaí from Hothouse Flowers, Actor Stephen Rea reading the words of Seamus Heaney, Cathy Jordan from Dervish, De Danann founder Frankie Gavin, Niamh Regan and many more come there is certainly a treat in store for traditional music fans with this series.

The series was filmed as part of TradFest 2023 when the Ireland’s largest traditional and folk music festival expanded to Fingal for the first time.  The TradFest Fingal programme was expanded greatly in 2024 with many sold out events in our historic sites and picturesque locations in the Fingal region as we celebrated and experienced extraordinary live Irish music and culture as well as the new FingalFringe. The pinnacle of the festival was the premiere of "Ocean Child" a newly commissioned musical narrative, composed by Neil Martin based on the tragic tale of the RMS Tayleur and featuring Stephen Rea, Neil and his West Ocean String Quartet, and Louise and Michelle Mulcahy.  The wonderful Mulcahy sisters and acclaimed actor Stephen Rea will also feature in the Fingal Sessions.

Speaking about the series Mayor of Fingal Cllr Adrian Henchy said: ‘I am delighted to see the beautiful setting of Malahide Castle being showcased in this TradFest Fingal Sessions series and I would encourage everyone to tune in to what promises to be a very entertaining programme.’

Chief Executive of Fingal AnnMarie Farrelly said: ‘The Fingal Sessions on RTÉ promises to be hugely enjoyable, highlighting the fantastic tourism and cultural assets of the County, like the beautiful setting of Malahide Castle.  Already viewed widely across the USA, the series is part of the Fingal County Council Cultural and Tourism TV initiative which was recently named as the winner of the Best Tourism Initiative at the LAMA awards.’

Receiving over 100,000 visitors from home and abroad each year Malahide Castle and Gardens is an important example of Ireland's historic houses and Fingal is a proud owner and custodian. The Castle reflects a long history of architectural styles and is particularly noted for its interiors and important collection of furniture and artefacts. It was home to the Talbot family for nearly 800 years and with a history dating back to 1185 and is surrounded by some 260 acres of lush parkland. For further information visit https://www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie/