Lahinch Trad Festival
3rd Festival of Traditional Irish Music
17th to 19th April 2026
Céad míle fáilte!
Get ready for an unforgettable celebration of music, culture, heritage and above all, community – in one of Ireland’s most breath-taking coastal villages.
We’re delighted to welcome you to our Lahinch Trad Festival page where you’ll find our Session Trail and schedule of events, from singing sessions to swinging céilís!
Lahinch Festival is set against the stunning backdrop of the wild Atlantic ocean and celebrates local fiddler Susan O’ Sullivan.
Explore our site to find the latest updates and links to all events and accommodation.
Bígí Linn!
See you by the sea…
Festival Launch
Eugene Lambe
We are delighted to open the 2026 Festival with respected uileann piper, Eugene Lambe. On the night Eugene will share his musical journey with Paula Carroll – one not to be missed.
Friday 17th April @ 8pm
Flanagans Pub, Lahinch
whats on
saturday
18th April 2026
International Guest Musicians
We are delighted to welcome our friends "Pilhaouer" from Brittany, France,
whose rich musical tradition brings a strong Celtic Connection to this years festival.
We had the pleasure of hearing Pilhaouer at last year’s festival as they were visiting the area. Such was their level of musicality that we decided to invite them back to perform in various venues over the weekend. It’s timely as we are also celebrating the 35 year connection with Arzon in Brittany.
Follow them on the session trail.EAMON MURPHY
ARTIST
Exhibition on
upstairs in Danny Macs
All Day
‘I have been drawing and painting Irish traditional musicians for many years. In particular I have enjoyed the older musicians, the great variety of styles of play and the great stories and history that came with the music. I hope that is evident in some of the work’.
PADDY HASSETT
INSTRUMENT MAKER
Exhibition on
upstairs in Danny Macs
12 to 2pm, Sat & Sun
Paddy Hassett is an instrument maker with over 18 handmade fiddles to his credit. Still using the old style tools, he merges creativity with musical understanding. Come and visit his exhibition.
BRENDAN P. LYNCH
Artist, Musician, Author
Meet outside Kennys Pub
10am
Walk with Brendan Lynch through the streets and lanes of Lahinch village exploring some of her architectural features, History of the shops and shop owners and we’ll have some tunes on the way connected to this unique village. His main musical influences were Bobby Casey, Joe Ryan and Junior Crehan.
10 euro
BASKET WEAVING WORKSHOP
Micheal Foudy
Upstairs in Danny Macs
10am to 4pm
Michael Foudy is enthusiastic and passionate about handing down this ancient craft to his students.
Join his class and learn from the Master Craftsman how to weave your own basket.
All materials included.
50 euro
COLM NESTOR & ANNE RYNNE
under 12’s session
Upstairs in Flannagans
1.5 hours
11.00am
Musicians under 12 are warmly invited to join a fun, welcoming open traditional music session led by Colm Nestor and Anne Rynne, with all instruments welcome. 🎶
POP-UP GAELTACHT
Flanagans Pub
Free Event
1.5 hours
11:30am
Beidh míle fáilte romhat/You’ll be most welcome!
Have you a few words ‘as Gaeilge’? You’ll be surprised how much you know and can remember. Why not join Bríd agus Maura in our Pop-Up Gaeltacht for great craic, music with Enda Haran, board games and chat!
SEAN NÓS WORKSHOP
The Claremont
1 .5 hours
10 euro
12:30pm
Louise O’Connor is a Sean-nós dancer, fiddler and Céilí dance instructor from Tubber Co. Clare. She loves sharing the steps and tunes she grew up with and has taught at various festivals in Ireland and around Europe
TRAD FOR TEENS
Flanagans Pub
2.5 hours
2:30pm
This session is aimed at teenagers and led by dynamic duo,
Eoin O’ Neill and Riona Hely
CÉILÍ
with Sliabh Aughty
Lahinch Leisure Centre
3 hours
10 euro
3:00pm
Join us for the Céilí on Saturday—a daytime treat with three joyful hours of dancing, all the popular sets, with the amazing Sliabh Aughty. With a great atmosphere and always a festival favourite, it’s not to be missed.
MASS
in Lahinch Church
5:00pm
Join us for festival mass at Lahinch Church before your evening of tunes!
ANGELA CROTTY
Book re-launch
6:00pm
Lahinch Coast Hotel
TARA BREEN
8:00pm
CastleDarcy Glamping
Tara is a highly acclaimed fiddler player who has performed with some of the most respected names in Irish music. Tonight, she is accompanied by Alan Reid.
AINDRIAS DE STAIC
Upstairs in Danny Macs
10 euro
8:00pm
Fiddle in hand, Aindrais takes us on a few epic journeys through stories and tunes
THE TRAD DISCO
with DJ Mulloley
Trad Disco on at 11pm in The Claremont Hotel in Lahinch
11:00pm
Claremont Hotel
whats on
Sat 18th April
INTERNATIONAL GUEST MUSICIANS
We are delighted to welcome our friends “Pilhaouer” from Brittany, France, whose rich musical tradition brings a strong Celtic Connection to this years festival.
We had the pleasure of hearing Pilhaouer at last year’s festival as they were visiting the area. Such was their level of musicality that we decided to invite them back to perform in various venues over the weekend. It’s timely as we are also celebrating the 35 year connection with Arzon in Brittany.
Follow them on the session trail.
EXHIBITION - EAMONN MURPHY - Danny Macs
‘I have been drawing and painting Irish traditional musicians for many years. In particular I have enjoyed the older musicians, the great variety of styles of play and the great stories and history that came with the music. I hope that is evident in some of the work’.
Free Event
Upstairs in Danny Macs
EXHIBITION - PADDY HASSETT - Danny Macs
Paddy Hassett is an instrument maker with over 18 handmade fiddles to his credit. Still using the old style tools, he merges creativity with musical understanding. Come and visit his exhibition.
Free Event
Upstairs in Danny Macs
12 to 2pm, Sat & Sun
10 AM - HERITAGE WALK - BRENDAN LYNCH
Walk with Brendan Lynch through the streets and lanes of Lahinch village exploring some of her architectural features, History of the shops and shop owners and we’ll have some tunes on the way connected to this unique village. His main musical influences were Bobby Casey, Joe Ryan and Junior Crehan.
10 Euro
Meet outside Kennys at 10am
10 AM to 4 PM - BASKET WEAVING - MICHEAL FOUDY - Danny Macs
Michael Foudy is enthusiastic and passionate about handing down this ancient craft to his students.
Join his class and learn from the Master Craftsman how to weave your own basket.
All materials included.
50 euro
11 AM - COLM NESTOR & ANNE RYNNE under 12s Session - Danny Macs
Musicians under 12 are warmly invited to join a fun, welcoming open traditional music session led by Colm Nestor and Anne Rynne, with all instruments welcome. 
upstairs in Flanagans until 12.30
Free Event
11.30 AM - POPUP GAELTACHT - Flanagans Pub
Have you a few words ‘as Gaeilge’? You’ll be surprised how much you know and can remember. Why not join Bríd agus Maura in our Pop-Up Gaeltacht for great craic, music with Enda Haran, board games and chat! Fáilte is fiche roimh chách.
1.5 hours – Free Event
Beidh míle fáilte romhat/You’ll be most welcome!
12:30 PM - SEAN NOS DANCING - The Claremont
Louise O’Connor is a Sean-nós dancer, fiddler and Céilí dance instructor from Tubber Co. Clare. She loves sharing the steps and tunes she grew up with and has taught at various festivals in Ireland and around Europe.
€10 Euro
1 hour 30 mins
2:30 PM - TRAD FOR TEENS - Flanagans Bar
This session is aimed at teenagers and led by dynamic duo, Eoin O’ Neill and Riona Hely.
2.5 hours
FREE EVENT
3 PM - CÉILÍ - Lahinch Leisure Centre
Join us for the Céilí on Saturday—a daytime treat with three joyful hours of dancing, all the popular sets, with the amazing Sliabh Aughty. With a great atmosphere and always a festival favourite, it’s not to be missed.
Lahinch Leisure Centre
3 hours
Admission – 10 euro
5 PM - FESTIVAL MASS
Join us for festival mass at Lahinch Church before your evening of tunes!
Lahinch Church
6 PM - BOOK RELAUNCH - ANGELA CROTTY - Coast Hotel
Angela Crotty nee Crehan shall regale us with tunes and stories written by her father who believed, ‘our music is God’s gift, never a tune, song or dance, should be taken to the grave’.
Angela will be joined by many well known faces from the music scene.
8 PM - TARA BREEN in concert - CastleDarcy Glamping
Tara is a highly acclaimed fiddler player who has performed with some of the most respected names in Irish music. Tonight, she is accompanied by Alan Reid.
8 PM - AINDRIAS DE STAIC - Danny Macs
Fiddle in hand, Aindrais takes us on a few epic journeys through stories and tunes.
Upstairs in Danny Macs
Tickets: €20
11:00pm - TRAD DISCO - The Claremont
with DJ Mulloley
Trad Disco on at 11pm in The Claremount Hotel in Lahinch.
whats on
Sunday
19th April 2026
Beach Foraging with Oonagh
12 noon
Oonagh O’Dwyer to host a foraging walk on Lahinch Beach at 12 noon on Sunday. Meet at the front of Seaword.
More info – 087 6877890
Busking Competition
12 noon to 1.30pm
The Susan O’Sullivan Memorial Cup. We are bringing back street entertainment to Main Street Lahinch. If you wish to perform solo, or with a group of friends, we would love to hear from you. The competition is open to all Girls and Boys up to and including 14 years of age. Registration will take place on Sunday morning – more details to follow.
Singing session
with Bean on Tí,
Mary Noonan
2pm to 4.30pm
Danny Macs (upstairs)
Come and join Mary Noonan a seasoned singer who hails from Caher. If you have a song or a poem – we’d love to hear it!
The Trad Hush Disco
3pm to 4pm
Lahinch Prom
Eddie Stack Readings
4pm
On the 10th Anniversary of talented author, lecturer, and storyteller Eddie Stack, we wish to remember him with a reading of his work by his son, storyteller Aindrias.
Donations to Galway Hospice.
Upstairs in Flanagans Library
P.J Murrihy in Concert with special guests, Seamus Shannon and Matt Keane
CastleDarcy 8pm
P.J. Murrihy is an Irish singer-songwriter from Mullagh Co. Clare. Songs he’s noted for include, ‘My father’s house’, ‘Should I fall Behind’, ‘The land of the Gael’. His latest album ‘Songs Old and New’ is proving a firm favourite with audiences nationwide.
Tickets – 20 euro
Thanks to our supporters
Bank of Ireland
AIB
PTSB
The Walker Cup
Lahinch Golf Club
Lahinch Leisure Centre
Kennys Bar
Vaughans on the Prom
The Edge
Joes Cafe
Flanagans Bar
Frawley’s Bar
The 19th Bar
The Corner Stone
Vaughan Lodge
Lahinch Coast Hotel
The Claremont
Sancta Maria Hotel
Slatterys
Atlantic & Shamrock Hotels
Castledarcy Glamping
Donogh O’Loghlin
Design Lodge
Olive and Crew
Kennedy’s Spar
Lahinch Tidy Towns
Celtic T-Shirt Shop
Ann & Co
Daybreak Lahinch
Hugos Bakery
Cllr. Joe Garrihy
Cllr. Bill Slattery
Cllr. Shane Talty
Lahinch Book shop
Ennistymon Credit Union
DODI
The Coffee Hatch
Allure
Beauty Wave
Kennys Woolen Mills
Pearl Garden Chinese
Lahinch Pharmacy
Thanks to our sponsors
We warmly invite our supporters in Ireland and abroad, including those who follow us on social media, to become sponsors of the festival.
Our festival is built on community, tradition, and shared experience. By becoming a sponsor, you are directly supporting musicians, artists, workshops, and events that make the festival possible.
Thanks to our sponsors
We warmly invite our supporters in Ireland and abroad, including those who follow us on social media, to become sponsors of the festival.
Our festival is built on community, tradition, and shared experience. By becoming a sponsor, you are directly supporting musicians, artists, workshops, and events that make the festival possible.
Remembering
Susan O'Sullivan
Susan O’Sullivan was born in Barrtrá, just outside Lahinch in 1892, and took up the fiddle when she was eight years old.
As a young woman, it was her involvement with the Republican cause that led to the burning of her home, Flanagans on main street Lahinch, by the Black and Tans in 1920 after the Rineen Ambush. This incident shaped Susan’s life and she fled to America where she continued to play her fiddle and fundraised for the cause at home with a group called ‘The Biddy Earlys’.
Returning to Ireland in 1923, she married Thomas O’ Sullivan and they had four children. Her fiddle playing continued up to the time of her passing in 1981.
As well as being a talented player, her family home became the Sunday night meeting place for the greats of the Clare music scene; Willie Clancy, Chris Droney, Mrs. Crotty, Séamus Ennis, Junior Crehan as well as a host of others.
Susan was eager to pass on the tradition and served as President of Clare Comhaltas in 1960. Her fiddle playing continued up to the time of her passing in 1981.
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🌟 Support Our Festival! 🌟
We need your help to grow and enhance our festival even further! Every donation, big or small, goes directly towards covering essential costs and making this a truly special event for everyone.
“At Lahinch the sea shines like a jewel
With joy you are ready to shout”
Percy French