Press
A visual and visceral feast for the senses awaits fans of traditional and folk music this Winter as the best of Dublin’s annual Tradfest is transposed to our screens in a new six-episode series captured in some of the capital’s most iconic venues.
TradfestTG4 Blends the New and the Old in a Musical Melting Pot starting on Sunday November 25th at 9.30pm on TG4
22.11.18
Produced by Aniar, ‘TradfestTG4’ captures both the intimacy and immediacy of traditional music in all its forms, from origin to contemporary relevance.
Meanwhile the pulsating rhythm of this unique festival, which captivated the public through a week of memorable performance in the heart of Dublin City Centre in Janaury, is present throughout.
The programmes are predominantly performance based as Dubliner Doireann Ní Ghlacáin – herself a renowned fiddle player and singer steeped in the musical tradition of the Ó Riada and Glackin families – brings both a highly informed, yet warm familiarity to proceedings as series host.
Through bilingual interviews with the musicians themselves – in some truly unique spaces – this series reveals the rare passion vital to Ireland’s cultural core.
2018 marked the 13th annual Tradfest in the historic surrounds of Dublin’s Temple Bar where the very best of traditional and folk was played in both intimate and large-scale settings.
Iconic venues such as The Printworks in Dublin Castle, one of the city’s most historical sites, saw live performances before audiences of 600 plus people. Elsewhere venues including Na Píobairí Uilleann and The Fiddle Workshops on Capel St provide an essential backdrop to intimate one-on-one performances and interviews.
‘TradfestTG4’ also features artists performing under tapestries celebrating William’s victory at the Battle of the Boyne and the Apprentice Boys stout defence of the City of Derry.
In the series we see folk and trad luminaries and rising stars shine brightly in equal measure.
From the passionate playing of legends such as Séamus Begley, Frankie Gavin and Téada to the contemporary soundings of Shelbey Lynne and Alison Moorer, I Draw Slow and Martin Haley & Daniel Kimbro, this series blends the new and the old and the new in a musical melting pot.
“We are delighted to have this opportunity to bring national and international performers to TG4’s growing traditional music audience and also to showcase some of Ireland’s up and coming new talent,” Niamh Ní Bhaoill Creative Director of Aniar TV.
“Aniar produced the series in association with the Temple Bar Company and TG4 to showcase the best of Tradfest, therefore bringing it to the widest possible audience”.
Directed by Maurice Linnane and produced by Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, ‘Tradfest TG4’ will be screened on TG4 beginning on November 25th at 9.30pm
Further information:
- Aniar: Niamh Ní Bhaoill 066 9152555 niamh@aniartv.ie
- TG4: Linda Ní Ghríofa 091 505050 linda.ni.ghriofa@tg4.ie