PICTURES: Nenagh came alive with traditional music over the February bank holiday weekend

Nenagh came alive over the Bank Holiday weekend as the “Coming of Spring” Trad Fest (Féile Teacht an Earraigh) delivered a vibrant and hugely successful celebration of traditional Irish music, song and dance.

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Running from Friday, January 30 to Tuesday, February 2, the festival drew large crowds of locals and visitors alike, with people travelling from all over Ireland and further afield including Leeds, London and even New York, creating a buzzing atmosphere throughout the town all weekend.

With the Abbey Court Hotel acting as the central hub, the festival featured a rich and varied programme including session trails, workshops, album launches, concerts and late-night entertainment. Musicians and music lovers travelled from near and far to take part, giving a welcome boost to local businesses and reinforcing Nenagh’s reputation as a stronghold for traditional music.

The weekend got off to a strong start on Friday evening with a junior session in the Half Door followed by a bustling gathering session in the Abbey Court Hotel bar, led by workshop tutors Aaron Glancy from Sligo, London based Orlaith McAuliffe, Paul Clesham from Mayo and Waterford man Thomas Ahern. The session set the tone for the days ahead, with tunes flowing freely and musicians of all ages joining in.

Saturday morning saw a high level of participation in instrument workshops covering accordion, fiddle, flute, concertina and banjo, running from 10am to 1pm. Tutors Molly Walls from Antrim, Ava Glancy from Sligo and Mayo born Aileen Bourke joined the team of tutors to deliver a fantastic morning of tuition for all who attended.

A lively kids’ session followed at 1.30pm, one of many highlights of the weekend, showcasing the festival’s commitment to encouraging young musicians. As the day progressed, sessions took over the town, with packed venues including Una Powell’s, The Kenyon, Rocky’s, Rohan’s and The Half Door all resonating with music late into the evening.
Saturday night featured a well-received album launch with Patricia Clarke, Paul Finn and Cillian Doheny, followed by the first concert of the weekend at 10pm in the Abbey Court Hotel.

The Railway Boys delivered an energetic performance, impressing audiences with their blend of traditional Irish music and contemporary folk influences with many of their songs performed ‘as Gaeilge’. The talented young group comprising Piaras Ó Lorcáin, Micky Fearon, Oisín Murphy, Brian Ó Gallachóir and Séan Breen wowed the audience with their incredible musicianship and masterful arrangements while Piaras Ó Lorcáin’s unique singing voice added a special dimension to the performance, captivating the audience with every note. Festivities continued afterwards at the Festival Club, where DJ Ollie Mullooly kept the dancefloor busy into the early hours.

Sunday continued the festival’s momentum, beginning with a Rince ar an sean-nós workshop led by Ava Glancy, which attracted strong interest.

Another full day of sessions followed from 1pm to 8pm, including a popular teen session in Rocky’s at 1pm, alongside sessions in The Kenyon, Una Powell’s, Rohan’s, The 44 Bar and the Abbey Court Hotel.

The weekend’s standout highlight came on Sunday night when the renowned Four Men and a dog took to the stage at the Abbey Court Hotel. The headline concert drew a large crowd and was met with a very enthusiastic response, bringing the festival’s musical celebrations to a thrilling high point. Musicians Cathal and Stephen Hayden, Mairtín O’Connor, Gino Lupari and Kevin Doherty captivated the audience with their infectious rhythms and energetic performance.

The crowd was visibly thrilled throughout, culminating in a standing ovation to show their appreciation for the unforgettable performance.

The festival concluded on Monday with a farewell session at the Abbey Court Hotel, providing a relaxed and fitting end to a memorable weekend. With strong attendance, a fantastic atmosphere and music heard in every corner of the town, The Coming of Spring Trad Fest was widely regarded as a resounding success for Nenagh and North Tipperary.
The organising committee described the festival as a major success and thanked the many musicians, volunteers, attendees and local businesses who helped make it possible. Special thanks were extended to the main sponsor, the Abbey Court Hotel, for its continued support.

Chairperson of the organising committee, Colm Slattery stated that planning is already well underway for next year’s festival, with the committee excited to build on this year’s success. There are strong ambitions to further strengthen community collaboration and to shine an even brighter spotlight on celebrating and promoting Nenagh’s rich local heritage alongside a renewed promise to deliver vibrant, high-quality arts and cultural programming for the town and all who visit.