4th annual Féile Fearann Rí
Féile Fearann Rí, a vibrant festival celebrating traditional and folk music, returns for its fourth year from Wednesday 25th until Saturday 28th March 2026! With the fearless fiddler Clare Sands as our guest artist, the festival will feature a variety of special events from workshops, rehearsals, concerts, recitals, sessions, and storytelling across key venues around the northside.
This year’s festival will bring together young traditional musicians from local schools and adult trad and folk groups from the community, including Club Ceoil Knocknaheeny and Blarney.
Musicians of all ages alongside renowned traditional artists collaborating together makes the festival a unique, vibrant, intergenerational musical experience. Féile Fearann Rí is proudly supported by Creative Tradition, Music Generation Cork City, the Arts Council, Cork City Council Arts Office, and Musical Neighbourhoods.
Féile Fearann Rí is more than a festival—it’s a celebration of community, culture, and the enduring tradition of Irish music. With free events, engaging workshops, and top-class performances, the festival offers something for everyone. Most events are free, but some require pre-registration due to limited space.
2026 Festival Programme
Wednesday 25th March
Workshops and group rehearsals 10am-2pm in Farranree with Clare Sands. Run in partnership with Music Generation Cork City and local schools, including Scoil Íosagáin, Scoil Aiséirí Chriost, and Nano Nagle College.
Festival Launch: Traditional music, song and storytelling with Clare Sands and The Gab Storytelling in Hollyhill Library. Doors open at 6:30pm. All are welcome to attend the official launch of the 4th annual Féile Fearann Rí. In generations past, traditional music, dance, songs, and stories were intricately intertwined, creating rich cultural gatherings. Reflecting this heritage, Féile Fearann Rí commences with a delightful array of tunes, songs, and tales presented by The Gab Storytelling and our special guest Clare Sands. The launch is free and open to the public. But space is limited, so booking is essential HERE.
Thursday 26th March
Workshops and group rehearsals 10am-2pm in Farranree with Clare Sands.
Gala Concert 7pm in The Church of the Resurrection, Farranree featuring Clare Sands and traditional musicians of all ages from the northside of Cork City. Each year the festival centres on a unique collaboration, and this year’s partnership with Clare promises something truly special. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are €5 and available to book online HERE.
Friday 27th March
Singers’ Circle 2-4pm in Hollyhill Library led by Sorcha de Roiste. This lovely unaccompanied singing circle is a perfect way to share a ballad, sean-nos or any folk song close to your heart. Song enthusiasts, listeners, and singers of all ages and abilities are welcome. This session is free and open to the public.
Official festival music session 4-6pm in Maureen’s Pub led by Lisa O’Sullivan and friends. This is an open, traditional music session to celebrate Féile Fearann Rí. Sessions are a social and vibrant part of Irish traditional music culture, so listeners and players of all abilities are welcome to join us (18+ event).
Saturday 28th March
Sean-nós Dancing Workshop 12-1pm in Hollyhill Library with Shane Creed. Join us to explore the vibrant, rhythmic and playful tradition of sean-nós dancing. This workshop is open to all and welcomes musicians, dancers, and those new to Irish dancing. Tickets are free, but booking is essential. Register online HERE.
Traditional Music Workshop 2-3pm in Hollyhill Library with Dr Aoife Granville. Join us for a practical and engaging workshop exploring the rich musical traditions of Dingle (Daingean Uí Chúis). This workshop is open to all traditional instrumentalists and will focus on repertoire, style, and cultural context. It is most suitable for intermediate players with a couple of years’ experience. Tickets are free, but booking is essential. Register online HERE.
Open, youth traditional music session 3:30-5pm in Cafe Jane, led by Cathal Ó Loingsigh and friends. Young musicians, singers, and dancers of all abilities are welcome to join our session circle. Traditional music sessions are a really fun, social, informal way of playing traditional music. Stop by for a tune, song or chat, as we would love to see loads of young traddies at the final event of the Féile! This event is free, but space is limited in the cafe so booking is essential. Register online HERE.
Rí Rá Mná Live Podcast: 7pm in the Kabin Studio hosted by Sinead Moynihan and Susan Brown. This special event will feature a vibrant conversation exploring creativity in Farranree and celebrating traditional and folk music communities. The Rí Rá Mná Podcast, which is also broadcast on UCC 98.3FM, is dedicated to amplifying women’s voices through interviews with female experts, creatives, and leaders. The live event is free and open to the public, but donations to the Kabin Studio are warmly welcomed. Space is limited, so booking is essential. Register online HERE.
About Féile Fearann Rí
In June 2023, we launched the first-ever trad and folk music festival on Cork's northside joined by our very special guest artist Liam Ó Maonlaí. In addition to concerts, recitals and gigs, we hosted workshops, rehearsals and sessions to provide a platform for active participation and learning. The aim of Féile Fearann Rí is to encourage music enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds to experience the rich tapestry of traditional and folk music.
The 2nd annual Féile Fearann Rí in June 2024 built on the success of its inaugural year. The highly memorable festival featured acclaimed artists Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Dónal O’Connor, Thomas McCarthy, and Niamh Dunne. The 3rd annual festival featured a beautiful collaboration with Cork legend, John Spillane, who re-arranged his classic song Farranree for a live performance with over 100 young performers.
The creation of our non-profit, community festival was made possible by a partnership between Creative Tradition, Music Generation, Musical Neighbourhoods, local schools, community groups and Farranree Parish. Special thanks goes to the boys and staff of Scoil Íosagáin for inspiring the festival to take place, and to other local schools for growing the festival each year, including Scoil Aiséirí Chríost, North Monastery Primary School, and Nano Nagel College.
Anyone interested in supporting the festival can email feilefearannri@gmail.com. Donations, volunteers, musicians, and enthusiasts all encouraged to get involved in Féile Fearann Rí.
