For the past 45 years on the last weekend of July, the historic town of Ballyshannon in County Donegal has presented a Folk and Traditional Music Festival. The last two years we had to go virtual but we are delighted to announce that we are back and our 2022 festival will take place from the 28th to 31st July.

LIVE AT THE MARQUEE - 29TH - 31ST JULY 2022 7.30pm – Festival Concerts

Featuring Dervish, Kila, Martin O’Connor, Cathal Hayden, Seamie O’Dowd, Eleanor Shanley and Garadice, No Crows, The Messages, Dave Munnelly Band, The Muddlers Club, The Red Cortinas, The Porter Bellies and lots more.

Friday 29th July - Showcase, The Messages, No Crows and Dervish

Saturday 30th July - Showcase, The Muddlers Club, Dave Munnelly Band and Kila

Sunday 31st July - Showcase, Garadice featuring Eleanor Shanley, Mairtin O'Connor, Cathal Hayden and Seamie O'Dowd and rounding off the festival The Red Cortinas.

WHERE JOHNNY DOHERTY MEETS

In the sixth of the series of LEGEND SESSIONS a tribute session of two musical greats who, although no longer with us in this life continue to have a major influence on our musical heritage, will be hosted. This year Sandy Denny (Fairport Convention) will be joining the music of Donegal fiddler, Johnny Doherty who died in the Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon in 1980.

This gig attempts to create the session that might have taken place if they had travelled through time and space to Ballyshannon. This year’s session will be recreated by Cathy Jordan (Dervish) and Seamie O’Dowd and really will be one not to be missed!

Add to the mix some great Street Entertainment all weekend, a range of workshops and fringe events.

The people behind Ballyshannon Folk & Traditional Music Festival hope you will join us in appreciating some great music, song and laughter as they celebrate their 45th Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival – the oldest festival of its genre in the world - coming to you from the oldest town in Ireland.