Damien Dempsey with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, Cormac Begley, Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, Georgi Andreev and Quarto Quartet with Landless to Headline National Concert Hall’s ‘Tradition Now’ festival this September

Dublin, Ireland [4 July 2025] – The National Concert Hall is proud to announce Tradition Now 2025, a powerful and vibrant celebration of Irish traditional music featuring a stellar cast of Irish and international musicians taking over NCH from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 September 2025.   

Presented in partnership with The Arts Council and supported by The Department of Culture, Communications, and Sport, Tradition Now will see multiple performances in multiple venues at NCH taking place each day showcasing both the living legacy of Irish music and its ever-evolving present.  

Headline artists include: concertina master Cormac Begley and friends; singer/songwriter Damien Dempsey in his orchestral debut with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland; Bulgarian vocal ensemble Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, Georgi Andreev and Quarto Quartet with special guest Landless; a Tribute to influential writer, artist and cartographer Tim Robinson; ‘Room to Rhyme’ curated by Theo Dorgan featuring a wealth of traditional music talent and many more.   

Speaking about the festival, Robert Read, CEO of the National Concert Hall, said: “Tradition Now honours the roots of our musical identity while welcoming the new voices and ideas reshaping it. This year’s edition of Tradition Now is particularly collaborative, and we are proud to present a programme that embodies the richness and diversity of Irish heritage while fostering innovation, inclusivity and connection”.   

Main Stage Highlights Include:  

Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, Georgi Andreev and Quarto Quartet with special guest Landless (Thursday 25 September 8pm) Main Stage – This legendary and Grammy award-winning Bulgarian vocal ensemble joins the acclaimed Irish quartet Landless (Lily Power, Méabh Meir, Ruth Clinton and Sinéad Lynch) for a transcendent evening of polyphonic harmonies and traditional balladry.  

Damien Dempsey and National Symphony Orchestra Ireland (Friday 26 Sept. 7.30pm) Main Stage – A landmark orchestral debut for Dubliner Damien Dempsey, Ireland’s most socially conscious troubadour, in collaboration with long-time producer John Reynolds.   

Room to Rhyme (Saturday 27 Sept. 7.30pm) – The ongoing dance of poetry, song and music is celebrated in one special concert curated by Theo Dorgan featuring a stellar cast of Irish traditional musicians and artists including: Breandán Begley, Colm Broderick, Moya Cannon, Brigid Mae Power, Dairena Ní Chinnéide, Neil Martin, Annemarie Ní Churraoin, Aisling Lyons, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Susan McKeown, MayKay, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Steve Cooney, Éoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Andy Irvine, Áine Uí Cheallaigh, An Chéad Ghlúin Eile inspired by the poetic and musical spirit of Seamus Heaney, Michael Longley and Davy Hammond’s original 1968 tour.  The event is co-produced with the Irish Tradition Music Archive.  

Our Time in Space: A Tribute to Tim Robinson (Sunday 28 Sept. 2pm) Main Stage – A multi-disciplinary homage to the hugely influential writer, artist and cartographer who made a lifetime study of the Aran Islands, the Burren and Connemara centered on a new commission by composer and Robinson collaborator Susan Stenger featuring contributions from poet Moya Cannon, writer Fintan O'Toole, performer Olwen Fouéré, singers Ye Vagabonds and Treasa Ní Mhiolláin, scholar and Joe Heaney biographer Lillis Ó Laoire , film director Pat Collins and Crash Ensemble.  

 Cormac Begley & Friends (Sunday 28 Sept. 8pm) Main Stage – The award-winning concertina master returns to the NCH for an evening of electrifying collaborations with some of the most exciting names in traditional music today.  

For the festival weekend, Tradition Now takes over NCH’s Earlsfort Terrace campus, with artists performing across the Main Stage, The Studio, Kevin Barry Recital Room and John Field Room taking audiences on a journey thorough the best of new traditional music-making.  

Additional performances to look forward to include: the work of celebrated young painter Conor Campbell, one of the most recognisable names among the Irish art and music scene over the past few years, explored in conversation with Diarmuid Mac Gloinn (Ye Vagabonds) and with performances from Alannah Thornburgh, Junior Brother and Gareth Quinn Redmond in ‘The Work of Conor Campbell’ on Thursday 25th September.  

On Friday 26th of September, audiences are invited to experience the dulcet tones of singer/songwriter Ger Wolfe in concert at 6pm (The Studio). Ger draws from the wells of traditional and contemporary folk, playing spirited and heartfelt music, described as lyrical, melodic and poetic. Renowned harpist Laoise Kelly, regarded as one of the most significant harpers of her generation joins master uilleann piper and alumnus of the vigorous Armagh Pipers Club Tiarnán Ó Duinchinn in concert (9pm, Kevin Barry Recital Room). Award-winning singer and flute player Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin joins composer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and electronic artist from Fermanagh RÓIS for a late-night performance in the Studio, 10pm.   

On Saturday 27th of September, Diarmaid, Deirdre and Donnacha Moynihan perform in the Studio 6pm. Widely considered to be three of Ireland’s leading traditional musicians, their latest release Black Brook was described by the Irish Times as “A remarkable collection”, “one of the albums of the year.” At 10pm in The Studio  Rattling Ark, a new experimental folk project featuring Kevin Murphy, Thomas Haugh and Aki, perform and at 9pm in the Kevin Barry Recital Room Alannah Thornburgh, an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and composer from Co. Mayo, with a focus on Irish harp, will perform her own concert. 

Tradition Now 2025 is presented in partnership with The Arts Council and supported by The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.  

 

TRADITION NOW – NATIONAL CONCERT HALL – SEPTEMBER 2025  

Thursday 25th of September   

20:00 Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, Georgi Andreev and Quarto Quartet with special guest Landless  - Main Stage (Tickets: €35)  

20:30 The Work of Conor Campbell - Studio (Tickets: €20)   

Friday 26th of September  

18:00 Ger Wolf – Studio   

19:30 Damien Dempsey & National Symphony Orchestra Ireland – Main Stage   

21:00 Laoise Kelly & Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn – Kevin Barry Recital Room   

22:00 Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and RÓIS -Studio  

 [One ticket for all concerts on this date - €45]      

Saturday 27th September 

18:00 Diarmaid, Deirdre and Donncha Moynihan - Studio   

19:30 Room to Rhyme – Main Stage  

21:00 Alannah Thornburgh - Kevin Barry Recital Room  

22:00 Rattling Ark - Studio   

 [One ticket for all concerts on this date - €35]  

Sunday 28th September  

14:00 - Our Time in Space:  A Tribute to Tim Robinson - Main Stage - (Tickets: €15)  

20:00 - Cormac Begley & Friends – Main Stage (Tickets: €35)  

  Tickets On Sale Monday 7th July, 10am from www.nch.ie   

(10% discount for Friends of NCH & Groups of 10 or more).   

  

Ends  

Press Enquiries & Media Assets: Sinead Doyle, Marketing & PR Manager, National Concert Hall 087 1775334 or Sinead.doyle@nch.ie or Roisin Dwyer, PR & Publications Executive, NCH 085-7129628 or roisin.dwyer@nch.ie  

  

About the National Concert Hall  

Located in the heart of Dublin beside the beautiful Iveagh Gardens, the National Concert Hall (NCH) has been Ireland’s leading cultural institution for music since 1981. Home to the National Symphony Orchestra and resident ensembles like Chamber Choir Ireland, Irish Baroque Orchestra, and Crash Ensemble, the NCH plays a pivotal role in ensuring access to and enjoyment of live music performance of all genres for Irish people everywhere. Looking forward, the NCH’s ambitious redevelopment under Project Ireland 2040 will further elevate its contribution to the arts and the musical landscape of Ireland for generations to come.  

Damien Dempsey leis an National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, Cormac Begley, Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares agus Landless mar phríomhealaíontóirí ag féile ‘Tradition Now’ an Oireachtais Ceoil i mí Mheán Fómhair seo chugainn 

Baile Átha Cliath, Éire [4 Iúil 2025] – Tá áthas ar Oireachtas Ceoil Náisiúnta na hÉireann (OCNÉ) a fhógairt go mbeidh Tradition Now 2025, ceiliúradh bríomhar ar cheol traidisiúnta na hÉireann le réimse dochreidte d’ealaíontóirí Éireannacha agus idirnáisiúnta, ar siúl ó Déardaoin 25 go dtí Dé Domhnaigh 28 Meán Fómhair 2025.    

 Curtha i láthair i gcomhpháirt leis an gComhairle Ealaíon agus le tacaíocht óna Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán, cuirfidh Tradition Now léirithe éagsúla ar siúl i roinnt hionad timpeall ar OCNÉ, ag léiriú agus ag ceiliúradh oidhreacht bheo an cheoil thraidisiúnta Éireannaigh agus a léiriú comhaimseartha.   

I measc na bpríomhealaíontóirí tá: máistir na consairtín Cormac Begley agus a chairde; an t-amhránaí cumasach Damien Dempsey in éineacht leis an National Symphony Orchestra Ireland – a chéad léiriú ceolfhoirneach; an grúpa cáiliúil Bulgárach Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares le ceathairéad gutha na hÉireann, Landless; ómós ilghnéitheach don scríbhneoir, cartagrafaí agus ealaíontóir Tim Robinson; Room to Rhyme faoi choimeád Theo Dorgan le raon leathan de cheoltóirí agus filí traidisiúnta – agus go leor eile.    

  Ag labhairt dó faoin bhféile, dúirt Robert Read, Príomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin OCNÉ: “Tugann Tradition Now ómós do fhréamhacha ár bhféiniúlacht cheoil agus fáiltíonn sé roimh na guthanna nua agus na smaointe atá ag athmhúnlú na féiniúlachta sin.  Tá an leagan seo den fhéile thar a bheith comhoibríoch, agus táimid bródúil as clár a chur i láthair a léiríonn raidhse agus éagsúlacht oidhreacht na hÉireann agus a chothaíonn nuálaíocht, cuimsiú agus ceangal".   

 Buaicphointí an Príomhstáitse:   

Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares le Landless (Déardaoin 25 Meán Fómhair, 8i.n., Príomhstáitse) – Tagann an grúpa cáiliúil, a bhuaigh Gradam Grammy, as an mBulgáir le chéile leis an gceathairéad Éireannach mórghníomhach Landless (Lily Power, Méabh Meir, Ruth Clinton agus Sinéad Lynch) do thráthnóna neamhshaolta de cheol ilfhuaimiúil agus bailéid thraidisiúnta.   

Damien Dempsey agus Ceolfhoireann Náisiúnta Shóifia nahÉireann (Aoine 26 Meán Fómhair, 7.30i.n. Príomhstáitse) – Seó mór ceolfhoirneach don chéad uair ag Damien Dempsey, an file agus amhránaí ó Bhaile Átha Cliath a bhfuil guth láidir sóisialta aige, i gcomhpháirtíocht lena léiritheoir fada John Reynolds.    

Room to Rhyme ( Satharn 27 Meán Fómhair 7.30i.n.) – Féile lae iomláin laistigh den fhéile, curtha le chéile ag Theo Dorgan, le liosta iontach ceoltóirí agus ealaíontóirí traidisiúnta as Éirinn: Breanndán Begley, Colm Broderick, Moya Cannon, Brigid Mae Power, Dairena Ní Chinnéide, Neil Martin, Annemarie Ní Churraoin, Aisling Lyons, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Susan McKeown, MayKay, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Steve Cooney, Éoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Andy Irvine, Áine Uí Cheallaigh, An Chéad Ghlúin Eile – ómós do spiorad fileata agus ceolmhar Seamus Heaney, Michael Longley agus camchuairt thábhachtach Davy Hammond in 1968. Tá an ócáid á léiriú i gcomhar le Cartlann Cheoil Thraidisiúnta na hÉireann.   

Our Time in Space: Ómós do Tim Robinson (Domhnach 28 Meán Fómhair, 2i.n., Príomhstáitse) – Hómós ildisciplíneach don scríbhneoir, ealaíontóir agus léarscálaí a rinne staidéar saoil ar Oileáin Árann, an Bhoirinn agus Conamara. Le Crash Ensemble agus coimisiún nua ó Susan Stenger  cumadóir agus comhoibrí Robinson, le rannpháirtíocht ó Ye Vagabonds, Moya Cannon, Fintan O’Toole, Olwen Fouéré, Treasa Ní Mhiolain, Joe Heaney, Lillis Ó Laoire agus Pat Collins.   

Cormac Begley & Friends (Domhnach 28 Meán Fómhair, 8i.n., Príomhstáitse) – Filleann máistir an chonsairtín Cormac Begley ar NCH do thráthnóna lán fuinnimh agus comhoibrithe le cuid de na ceoltóirí traidisiúnta is spreagúla sa lá atá inniu ann.   

Glacfaidh Tradition Now seilbh ar champas Earlsfort Terrace NCH don deireadh seachtaine, le ceoltóirí ag casadh ar an bPríomhchéim, sa Stiúideo, sa Seomra Ceolchoirme Kevin Barry agus sa Seomra John Field, ag tabhairt turais dhomhain d’éisteoirí trí shaol nua an cheoil thraidisiúnta. I measc na léirithe breise le bheith ag súil leo tá: Conor Campbell, péintéir óg cáiliúil, á bplé le Diarmuid Mac Gloinn (Ye Vagabonds) agus léirithe ó Alannah Thornburgh, Junior Brother agus Gareth Quinn Redmond i ‘The Work of Conor Campbell’ (Déardaoin 25 Mean Fómhair 8.30i.n.).     

Ger Wolfe, amhránaí/údar ceoil aitheanta, i gceolchoirm (Aoine 26ú Meán Fómhair, 6i.n. Stiúideo). Guth séimh agus comhsheasmhach ar an ardán ceoil tíre agus fréamhacha in Éirinn. Laoise Kelly, cruitire a bhfuil cáil mhór uirthi, le Tiarnán Ó Duinchinn, píobaire uilleann agus iarmhac léinn de Chlub Phíobairí Ard Mhacha (9i.n., Seomra Aithrise Kevin Barry). Beidh an t-amhránaí agus an fliúiteadóir Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin ag seinm san oíche i gcomhar leis an gcumadóir, amhránaí, il-uirliseoir agus ealaíontóir leictreonach ó RÓIS Fhear Manach, (10i.n. sa Stiúideo).     

Diarmaid, Deirdre agus Donncha Moynihan (Satharn 27ú  Meán Fómhair, 6i.n., Stiúideo) Ceoltóirí traidisiúnta mór le rá; rinne Th eIrish Times cur síos ar a n-albam Black Brook mar “bailiúchán eisceachtúil”, “ceann de na halbaim is fearr den bhliain.”  Rattling Ark,  tionscadal nua folk turgnamhach le Kevin Murphy, Thomas Haugh agus Aki (10i.n., Stiúideo), agus Alannah Thornburgh arís ag seinm sa Seomra Kevin Barry ag 9i.n – iluirliseoir agus cumadóir aitheanta as Éirinn. Mhaigh Eo a bhfuil gradaim buaite aici ar an gcláirseach Éireannach, a ceolchoirm féin.   

Cuirtear Tradition Now 2025 i láthair i gcomhpháirtíocht leis an gComhairle Ealaíon agus le tacaíocht ón Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán.  

TRADITION NOW – CEOLÁRAS NÁISIÚNTA – MEÁN FÓMHAIR 2025   

Déardaoin 25ú Meán Fómhair   

20:00 Le Mystère des Voix Bulgaresle agus Landless (€35) 

20:30 The Work of Conor Campbell - Stiúideo (Ticéid: €20)    

Dé hAoine 26ú  Meán Fómhair    

18:00 Ger Wolf – Stiúideo    

19:30 Damien Dempsey & NSOI – Príomhstáitse    

21:00 Laoise Kelly & Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn – Seomra Aithrise Kevin Barry    

22:00 Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin agus RÓIS -Stiúideo   

 [Ticéad amháin do gach ceolchoirm ar an dáta seo - €45]       

Dé Sathairn 27ú  Meán Fómhair  

18:00 Diarmaid, Deirdre and Donncha Moynihan - Stiúideo    

19:30 Room to Rhyme – Príomhstáitse   

21:00 Alannah Thornburgh - Seomra Aithrise Kevin Barry   

22:00 Rattling Ark - Stiúideo    

 [Ticéad amháin do gach ceolchoirm ar an dáta seo - €35]   

Domhnach 28ú  Meán Fómhair  

14:00 - Our Time in Space: A Tribute to Tim Robinson - Príomhstáitse (Ticéad: €15)   

20:00 - Cormac Begley & Friends – Príomhstáitse - (Ticéad: €35)    

Ticéid ar díol 7 Iúil 2025, 10am ó www.nch.ie  (Lascaine 10% do Chairde NCH & Grúpaí de 10 nó níos mó).    

   

Críoch 

Fiosrúcháin Preasa & Sócmhainní Meán: Sinead Doyle, Bainisteoir Margaíochta & Caidreamh Poiblí, Halla Ceolchoirme Náisiúnta 087 1775334 nó Sinead.doyle@nch.ie nó Roisin Dwyer, Feidhmeannach Caidreamh Poiblí & Foilseachán, NCH 085-7129628 nó roisin.dwyer@nch.ie   

 Faoin gCeoláras Náisiúnta  

Lonnaithe i gcroílár Bhaile Átha Cliath in aice le Gairdíní álainn Uíbh Eachach, is é an Ceoláras Náisiúnta (NCH) príomhinstitiúid chultúrtha ceoil in Éirinn ó 1981. Mar bhaile do Cheolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta agus ensembles cónaitheacha ar nós Cór Seomra Éireann, Ceolfhoireann Bharócach na hÉireann, agus Crash Ensemble, tá ról lárnach ag an gCeolfhoireann Náisiúnta maidir le rochtain agus taitneamh a bhaint as taibhithe ceoil beo de gach seánra a chinntiú do mhuintir na hÉireann i ngach áit. Ag breathnú chun cinn, cuirfidh athfhorbairt uaillmhianach an NCH faoi Thionscadal Éireann 2040 lena rannchuidiú le healaíona agus le tírdhreach ceoil na hÉireann do na glúnta atá le teacht.