By Dan Walsh
The first WexTrad festival starts tonight (Thursday) in Wexford town and continues through until Bank Holiday Monday with Irish cultural events for St. Brigid’s Day weekend.
The opening event will revive a traditional Wexford Mummers Ball, featuring displays by mummers’ groups from around the county and dancing to a lively House Ceili Band.
The festival will include a programme of concerts, presentations, a free indoor multi-group stage and a late-night Festival Club. This will be a unique local cultural experience.
Additionally, over the weekend, associated events are being run by partner arts bodies, such as the National Opera House, Wexford Arts Centre and Eclectic Avenue.
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann will run a series of Comhaltas-led events over the same weekend, to include instrument workshops with renowned national musicians, youth events, family events and a set dancing ceili with The Legacy Ceili Band.
Another exciting parallel event taking place over that weekend will be the Smithwick’s trad trail, which will be held in over 20 pubs and hotels in Wexford town from Friday to Monday. This will feature lively pub sessions of Irish traditional music, rousing ballad performances, and superb gigs by live bands.
Programme of events; Wexford Mummers Ball, Thursday January 29th, Talbot Hotel Slaney Suite 9pm.
Tulua in concert, Friday January 30th, Talbot Hotel Slaney Suite 9pm.
Ardan na Slaine – a FREE indoor gig rig-style event, Saturday January 31st, Talbot Hotel Slaney Suite 12 noon onwards. This unique event is generously supported by Wexford Credit Union.
3 on the Bund in concert, Sunday February 1st, Talbot Hotel Slaney Suite 9pm.
A Celebration of Wexford Piping concert, Monday February 2nd, Talbot Hotel Slaney Suite, 1pm. This is a rare event – a gathering of uilleann pipers from throughout the county.
The Tin Sandwich Band, Monday February 2nd, Talbot Hotel Slaney Suite 7pm.
Crown Live/Wextrad Joint Event (Tickets through Crown Live):
The Rising followed by Gerry’s Trisco, Crown Live, Saturday January 31st 11pm.
Electrad followed by Gerry’s Trisco, Crown Live, Sunday February 1st 11pm.
Wextrad Events (tickets available through Wexford Arts Centre):
Wextrad Events (tickets available through Wexford Arts Centre):
WexTrad Weekend is supported by Wexford County Council, as a Fleadh legacy project, and is additionally supported by Wexford Credit Union, Wexford Town Vintners, The Talbot Hotel and Crown Live.
Wextrad Events tickets are available through Wexford Arts Centre.
WexfordLocal.com 