Friday 18th September 2026
Event: Caomhnú Lú - For the Birds
Venue: Highlanes Gallery, 36 St. Laurence St, Drogheda, A92 F7PH
Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Debuting as part of Boyne TradFest 2026, Caomhnú Lú - For the Birds, is a newly commissioned work by composer Donnchadh MacAodha.
“For the Birds” is a musical response to the birdlife of County Louth in 2025, drawing on the Louth Bird Report and its record of activity along the county's coastline over a twelve-month period. Dundalk Bay and the wider Louth coast are vital habitats for the many species that pass through and settle here, and this piece meditates on the fragility of that world in the face of climate change. Bird calls and songs are evoked throughout, tracking the arrival and departure of different species from spring to winter."
This event also features solo harp performances & discussion with local activists on climate change, and is hosted by Music Generation Louth Harp Ensemble & Harp Ireland.
Partially seated, partially standing. Limited capacity. Free admission.
Event: Oscailt Oifigiúil na Féile
Venue: Highlanes Gallery, 36 St. Laurence St, Drogheda, A92 F7PH
Time: 7:10pm - 8:00pm
Join us for our festival launch with highly regarded father-daughter duo Caitlín Nic Gabhann & Antóin Mac Gabhann.
Caitlín Nic Gabhann is an acclaimed concertina player, composer, teacher and percussive dancer from Co. Meath. A three-time All-Ireland concertina champion and former Riverdance performer, she has toured internationally for over 15 years. Raised in a musical family, she learned from her father, renowned fiddler Antóin Mac Gabhann, and inherited a love of traditional dance from her mother, Bernie. Antóin, originally from Co. Cavan, is an award-winning fiddler whose 1971 championship victories established him as one of Ireland's finest traditional musicians.
Together, Antóin and Caitlín bring to the stage a unique father-and-daughter partnership, blending generations of musical tradition, exceptional artistry and a lifetime of shared music-making in what promises to be a truly memorable performance.
Hosted by Gormlaith Maynes, with guest speakers.
Partially seated, partially standing. Limited capacity. Free admission.
Event: Traditional Irish Music Sessions
Venue: TBC
Time: 5:00pm - late
FRIDAY SESSION TRAIL TO BE ANNOUNCED.
Saturday 19th September 2026
Event: Traditional Irish Music Workshops
Venue: St. Oliver’s Community College, Rathmullan Road, Drogheda, A92 D766
Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Traditional Irish Music Workshops with John Carty (fiddle), Brian McGrath (banjo), Séamus O’Donnell (flute), Michael McCague (Guitar/Bouzouki), Alannah Thornburgh (harp), Ciarán Hanna (concertina), Gary Curley (button accordion), Aimée Farrell-Courtney (bodhrán), Tom Gavin (tin whistle), and uilleann pipes workshop.
Registration: €25
Please follow the link below and click on the tutor’s photo you wish to purchase tickets for.
Join hosts Fionnuala McGovern and harpist Rachael Dooley for an introduction to traditional Irish music and song.
Recommended age: 1.5 years - 3.5 years
Free admission. Booking essential.
Join waiting list by emailing info@maynestage.ie
At The Racket
Event: In Concert with At The Racket
Venue: Droichead Arts Centre, 26 - 28 Stockwell Lane, Drogheda, A92 FXC6
Time: 8:00pm. Doors 7:30pm.
At the Racket is one of Ireland’s most distinctive traditional music groups, renowned for its exuberant performances and revival of the Irish and Irish-American dance-band sound of the 1920s and 1930s. Founded in 1996 by acclaimed fiddler and banjo player John Carty, the band draws inspiration from pioneering ensembles such as the Flanagan Brothers.
The current line-up features John Carty, Brian McGrath, Séamus O'Donnell and Michael McCague. Combining virtuoso musicianship, infectious energy and fresh arrangements of rare historic repertoire, At the Racket has performed widely in Ireland and abroad, earning acclaim for its originality, authenticity and joyful celebration of Irish musical heritage
Supported by Droichead Arts Centre.
Tickets €18
Event: Traditional Irish Music Sessions
Venue: TBC
Time: 2:00pm - late
SATURDAY SESSION TRAIL TO BE ANNOUNCED.
Sunday 20th September 2026
Event: Boyne Valley Camino Guided Walk
Time: 10:00am - 2:30pm
Meeting Time: 9:30am
Venue: St. Peter’s Church, West Street, Drogheda
Starting at the impressive St Peter’s Church, West Street in the medieval town of Drogheda, the Boyne Valley Camino takes us on a journey through history. The route is a mixture of riverside, greenway, wood paths, quiet country roads, canal path and green fields on its route from drogheda to Old Mellifont Abbey and back.
The 25km walk forms a figure of eight looped walk via Townley Hall Woods on the way out to Mellifont Abbey, through Tullyallen Village, down King William’s Glen via Belnumber Wood, across the beautiful Boyne at the Obelisk and back into Drogheda via Oldbridge along the Boyneside Trail and ramparts. The Boyne Valley Camino (25km) is part of the Celtic Camino from Ireland, then walk the rest of the Celtic Camino from A Coruña to Santiago de Compostela (75km) in Spain. This 100km Celtic Camino entitles walkers to a Compostela in Santiago.
Hosted by Boyne Valley Trails September Walking Festival.
Event: Composition & Arrangement Workshop
Venue: Barlow House, Droichead Arts Centre, Narrow West Street (A92 CPF9)
Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Donnchadh Mac Aodha is a composer, harper and flute player from Dundalk, Co. Louth. A graduate of University College Cork and former Quercus Scholar, his music bridges contemporary composition and Irish tradition. His works have been performed internationally, and he has received major commissions, including for Consairtín (2024) and Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland.
Discover practical approaches to composition and arrangement, work collaboratively on a new composition, and develop your own creative voice through guided solo writing.
Suitable to all instruments.
Registration: €20
Please follow the link below and click on the tutor’s photo you wish to purchase tickets for.
Sets Céilí
With Louise O’Connor & Glór na dTonn Céilí Band
Event: Sets Céilí
Venue: St. Peter’s Church of Ireland Parish Hall, Peter Street, A92 AP95
Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Raised in the west of Ireland, Louise O’Connor is a Sean Nós dancer, traditional Irish fiddler, and experienced céilí dance instructor. With backgrounds in Psychology and Transcultural European Outdoor Studies, she creates inclusive, engaging dance experiences for corporate groups, schools, weddings, festivals, and events, fostering confidence, connection, and enjoyment through Irish culture.
Joined by members of Sligo based 2025 All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band Champions Glór na dTonn.
Dances called. All welcome.
Registration: €15
Please follow the link below and click on the tutor’s photo you wish to purchase tickets for.
Event: Traditional Irish Music Sessions
Venue: TBC
Time: 2:00pm - late
SUNDAY SESSION TRAIL TO BE ANNOUNCED.
Event: Trad for Toddlers
Venue: Drogheda Library, 26 - 28 Stockwell Lane, Drogheda, A92 PY20
Time: 1:15pm - 1:50pm