National Concert Hall Announces St. Patrick’s Week 2026 Line-Up of Iconic Ensembles, Master Musicians & Dynamic Dancers, Celebrating the Best of Irish Traditional Music 

The National Concert Hall (NCH) is proud to announce an exceptional programme of concerts for St. Patrick’s Week 2026, showcasing the richness, creativity, and living legacy of Irish traditional music by today’s top talent: from Matt Molloy, Noel Hill, Doireann Ní Ghlacáin and more as part of  the Irish Traditional Music Archive’s Drawing from the Well Series to Peader Ó Riada’s Ceoltóirí Chualann agus Cór Cúil Aodha and The Kilfenora Céilí Band with guest singers and dancers to the Gralton Big Band: The Devil’s in the Dance Hall with choreographer Edwina Guckian and guests. Taking place from 14–17 March 2026, the line-up brings together world-renowned performers, iconic and century old ensembles, master musicians, and dynamic dancers, offering audiences an immersive celebration of Ireland’s cultural heritage. 

Speaking about the St. Patrick’s Week programme for 2026, National Concert Hall’s CEO Robert Read highlighted the significance of presenting Ireland’s most respected traditional artists: “Next year’s St. Patrick’s week celebration of music and dance reflects the breadth, depth, and continued evolution of Irish traditional music—from historic collections and century-old ensembles to new creative interpretations. We are honoured to showcase these extraordinary artists at the National Concert Hall during the nation’s most celebrated cultural week.” 

Ceoltóirí Chualann agus Cór Cúil Aodha: Múscailt  

Saturday 14 March, 7.30pm 

Kicking off the week is a special performance by Ceoltóirí Chualann together with the much-loved Cór Cúil Aodha, the iconic male choir founded by Seán Ó Riada in 1964 and now directed by Peadar Ó Riada. Steeped in the vibrant musical traditions of the Muskerry Gaeltacht, Cór Cúil Aodha is celebrated for its distinctive repertoire of more than 200 works in Irish and Latin, its deep intergenerational roots, and its longstanding role in marking major state and national commemorations. Their collaboration with musicians of Ceoltóirí Chualann - whose innovative approach helped shape the sound of modern Irish traditional music - promises an evening of profound cultural resonance and musical excellence. This coming together of two of Ireland’s most influential musical forces sets a powerful tone for St. Patrick’s Week at the National Concert Hall, offering audiences an unforgettable start to the celebrations. 

 

Drawing From the Well – The Breandán Breathnach Collection 

Sunday 15 March, 7.30pm 

Presented by the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) in association with National Concert Hall, this ninth instalment of the acclaimed Drawing From the Well series celebrates the legacy of collector Breandán Breathnach (1912–1985), whose work laid the foundations for the Irish Traditional Music Archive. Featured artists include Noel Hill (concertina), Mary Bergin (whistle), Pádraic Keane (uilleann pipes), Bryan O’Leary (accordion), Conor Connolly (accordion), Caitlín Nic Gabhann (concertina), Doireann Ní Ghlacáin (fiddle), Ian Lynch and Ciarán Ó Gealbháin (voice), Sarah Flynn (concertina), Nia Byrne (singer/fiddle), Charlie Harris (accordion), Fiachra Potts (uilleann pipes), Libby McCrohan (bouzouki), and dancers Edwina Guckian and Aidan Vaughan, co-presented by RTÉ broadcaster Aoife Nic Cormaic and ITMA’s Seán Potts.  

 

ITMA Director Liam O’Connor notes that Breathnach’s work continues to inspire today’s artists, stating: “It is a source of great satisfaction for the Archive that we are now, in association with NCH, staging the ninth Drawing from the Well concert in the series, platforming a group of artists who have all engaged with the Breathnach collection in the Irish Traditional Music Archive and developed their solo performances through that productive engagement.” 

 

Kilfenora Céilí Band with Guest Singers and Dancers 

Monday 16 March, 8pm 
 

The legendary Kilfenora Céilí Band—celebrated worldwide for their powerful traditional sound and vibrant stage presence—will bring an unmistakable energy to the National Concert Hall this St. Patrick’s Day weekend. As one of Ireland’s most iconic traditional ensembles with a history of over 100 years, the Kilfenora Céilí Band, founded in 1909,  brings its powerful, rhythm-driven sound to the NCH stage for an electrifying night of music and dance joined by singers Fiona Ryan and Edel Vaughan, as well as champion dancers Sinéad Neylon, Stephen McGuinness, and Brian Culligan. Renowned for their masterful musicianship, rich Clare heritage, and the exhilarating lift they bring to every performance, the band promises an unforgettable experience of music, dance and song for audiences; a must-see highlight of the St. Patrick’s week, offering a celebration of Irish music at its finest. 

The Gralton Big Band – The Devil’s in the Dance Hall 

Tuesday 17 March, 8pm 
 

On St. Patrick’s night, audiences can step back into 1930s Ireland, where jazz drifting across the Atlantic collided with local tradition. The Gralton Big Band and dancer–choreographer Edwina Guckian present a vivid musical and theatrical revival of the era of the 1935 Public Dance Halls Act, exploring a time when waltzing, fox-trotting, and dancing outside the parish could be acts of rebellion. Featuring musicians Ryan Molloy (piano), Stephen Doherty (accordion) David Doocey (fiddle), Matthew Berrill (multi-instrumentalist), Jim Higgins (bodhran), Conor Caldwell (fiddle), Brona Graham (banjo), and Ben Castle (multi-instrumentalist) alongside actors Seamus O’Rourke, Darragh Scannell, and Roseanne Lynch, and a large cast of dancers: Edwina Guckian and Molly Grady, Niamh Doherty, Megan Walsh, Clodagh McCaffrey, Ellen Langton, Gráinne Langton, Aoibhín Doherty, Ailíse Maxwell, Síofra Mooney, Claire Flanagan, Deirdre Kerins, Niamh Kerins, Eimear Healy, Roisin Faughnan, Alex O’Looney, Tony O’Looney, Croídhe Doherty, Jack Hughes, Ryan Owens and Liam Taylor.  

This performance brings to life Guckian’s production The Devil’s in the Dance Hall. Script by Vincent Woods with theatre direction by John O’Hare. 

Booking Information for St. Patrick’s Week 2026 at the National Concert Hall

Tickets on Sale: Monday 8th December 10am at www.nch.ie. Tel 01-4170000 or through the NCH Box Office in person. 

Ceoltóirí Chualann agus Cór Cúil Aodha: Múscailt  

Saturday 14 March 7.30pm 

Tickets: €15, €19.50, €25, €29.50  

10% discount for Friends of the NCH and Groups of 10+ 

 

Drawing from the Well  

Sunday 15 March 2026 7.30pm 

Tickets: €25, €30, €35 

10% discount for Friends of the NCH and Groups of 10+ 

 

Kilfenora Ceili Band and Guests  

Monday 16 March 8pm 

Tickets: €22, €28.50, €32.50, €38.50 

10% discount for Friends of the NCH and Groups of 10+ 

 

The Gralton Big Band – The Devil’s in the Dance Hall 

Tuesday 17 March 8pm 

Tickets: €15, €22, €27, €35  

10% discount for Friends of the NCH and Groups of 10+ 

 

ENDS 

 

Media Enquiries to: Sinead Doyle, Marketing & PR Manager, Tel 087 1775334 or Sinead.doyle@nch.ie or Roisin Dwyer, PR & Publications Executive Tel: 0857129628 or roisin.dwyer@nch.ie  

ABOUT THE NATIONAL CONCERT HALL 

The National Concert Hall (NCH) is Ireland’s national cultural institution for music, proudly serving the Irish public since it opened in 1981 through live music performances and significant educational and cultural ‘Discover’ programmes. Based in the heart of Dublin’s city centre, next door to the picturesque Iveagh Gardens, the NCH is proud home to National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, National Symphony Chorus Ireland, Cór Linn and Cór na nOg as well as providing residence for a range of other music organisations including Chamber Choir Ireland, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Music Network, Crash Ensemble and Music Generation. It is currently planning for a major redevelopment of all facilities as part of the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040.  

 

Fógraíonn Ceoláras Náisiúnta na hÉireann clár Sheachtain Lá Fhéile Pádraig 2026 le Ensemblesiocónacha, máistrí ceoil agus damhsóirí fuinniúla ag ceiliúradh buaic an cheoil thraidisiúnta. 

Tá áthas ar Cheoláras Náisiúnta na hÉireann (CNaH) clár eisceachtúil ceolchoirmeacha do Sheachtain Lá Fhéile Pádraig 2026 a fhógairt, clár a léiríonn saibhreas, cruthaitheacht agus oidhreacht bheo an cheoil thraidisiúnta trí réaltaí comhaimseartha na tíre: ó Matt Molloy, Noel Hill, Doireann Ní Ghlacáin agus eile mar chuid de shraith Drawing from the Well de chuid Chartlann Cheoil Thraidisiúnta na hÉireann, go Ceoltóirí Chualann agus Cór Cúil Aodha le Peadar Ó Riada, go Banna Céilí Chill Fhionnúrach le hamhránaithe agus damhsóirí aíonna, agus go The Gralton Big Band: The Devil’s in the Dance Hall le Edwina Guckian agus aoi-ealaíontóirí . Beidh na himeachtaí ar siúl ón 14–17 Márta 2026 agus tabharfaidh an clárseo le chéile ceoltóirí den scoth ar fud an domhain, eansambail stairiúla agus céadbhliantúla, máistrí ceoil agus damhsóirí fuinniúla, ag cur féasta tumthach ar fáil do lucht féachana ar oidhreacht chultúrtha na hÉireann. 

Ag labhairt dó faoin gclár do Sheachtain Lá Fhéile Pádraig 2026, leag príomhoifigeach feidhmiúcháin an Cheolárais Náisiúnta, Robert Read, béim ar thábhacht na n-ealaíontóirí traidisiúnta is measúla in Éirinn a chur i láthair: “Léiríonn ceiliúradh Sheachtain Lá Fhéile Pádraig na bliana seo chugainn fairsinge, doimhne agus leanúnachas éabhlóide an cheoil thraidisiúnta — ó bhailiúcháin stairiúla agus eansambail céadbhliantúla go léirmhínithe nua cruthaitheacha.” Is mór an onóir dúinn na healaíontóirí eisceachtúla seo a chur i láthair sa Cheoláras Náisiúnta le linn na seachtaine is mó cultúrtha inár bhféilire náisiúnta.”  

 

Ceoltóirí Chualann agus Cór Cúil Aodha: Múscailt   

Dé Sathairn 14 Márta, 7.30pm 

Cuirfear tús leis an tseachtain le léiriú speisialta ó Cheoltóirí Chualann in éineacht leis an gcór mór le rá, Cór Cúil Aodha— cór fir íocónach a bhunaigh Seán Ó Riada i 1964 agus atá á stiúradh anois ag Peadar Ó Riada. Lonnaithe go domhain i dtraidisiún ceoil bríomhar Ghaeltacht Mhúscraí, tá clú ar Chór Cúil Aodha as a stór saibhir de bhreis ar 200 saothar i nGaeilge agus i Laidin, as a bhfréamhacha láidre idirghlúine agus as a ról fada in ócáidí stáit agus comórtha náisiúnta. Geallann a gcomhoibriú le Ceoltóirí Chualann a raibh lámh mhór acu i gcruthú fhuaim an cheoil thraidisiúnta chomhaimseartha oíche de dhoimhneacht chultúrtha agus de shárcheol. Cuireann teacht le chéile dhá fhórsa ceoil thábhachtacha na tíre tús cumhachtach le Seachtain Lá Fhéile Pádraig sa Cheoláras Náisiúnta, ag tairiscint oscailt gan sárú don lucht féachana. 

 

Drawing From the Well – Bailiúchán Bhreandáin Bhreathnaigh 

Dé Domhnaigh 15 Márta, 7.30pm 
 

Á chur i láthair ag Cartlann Cheoil Thraidisiúnta na hÉireann (CCTÉ) i gcomhar leis an gCeoláras Náisiúnta, ceiliúrann an naoú léiriú sa tsraith cháiliúil Drawing From the Well oidhreacht an bhailitheora Bhreandáin Breatnach (1912–1985), a leag bonn do Chartlann Cheoil Thraidisiúnta na hÉireann. I measc na n-ealaíontóirí le feiceáil tá Noel Hill (consairtín), Mary Bergin (feadóg), Pádraic Keane (píb uilleann), Bryan O’Leary (bosca ceoil), Conor Connolly (bosca ceoil), Caitlín Nic Gabhann (consairtín ), Doireann Ní Ghlacáin(fidil), Ian Lynch agus Ciarán Ó Gealbháin (guth), Sarah Flynn (consairtín), Nia Byrne (amhránaí/fidléir), Charlie Harris (bosca ceoil), Fiachra Potts (píb uilleann), Libby McCrohan (busúcaí), agus na damhsóirí Edwina Guckian agus Aidan Vaughan, á gcó-láithriú ag craoltóir RTÉ Aoife Nic Cormaic agus Seán Potts ó CCTÉ.  

Deir Liam Ó Conchubhair, Stiúrthóir CCTÉ, go leanann saothar Breatnach de bheith ina inspioráid do cheoltóirí an lae inniu: “Is mór an sásamh don Chartlann go bhfuilimid anois, i gcomhar leis an gCeoláras Náisiúnta, ag cur an naoú ceolchoirm sa tsraith i láthair, agus muid ag tabhairt ardáin do ghrúpa ealaíontóirí a bhí i mbun oibre leis an mbailiúchán agus a d’fhorbair a léirithe aonair trína n-idirghníomhaíocht tháirgiúil leis.”  

Banna Céilí Chill Fhionnúrach le hAíonna 

Dé Luain 16 Márta, 8pm 
 

Tabharfaidh Banna Céilímór le rá Chill Fhionnúrach — a bhfuil cáil dhomhanda orthu as a bhfuaim chumhachtach thraidisiúnta agus a láithreacht stáitse bheoga — fuinneamh dochloíte chuig an gCeoláras Náisiúnta an deireadh seachtaine seo de Lá Fhéile Pádraig. Bunaithe i 1909, is eansambal stairiúil céadbhliantúil iad a thabharfaidh oíche leictreachais de cheol agus damhsa i dteannta na n-amhránaithe Fiona Ryan agus Edel Vaughan, agus na damhsóirí curadh Sinéad Neylon, Stephen McGuinness agus Brian Culligan. Geallann siad taithí dhosháraithe de cheol, damhsa agus amhránaíocht — buaic na seachtaine don lucht féachana. 

 

The Gralton Big Band – The Devil’s in the Dance Hall

Dé Máirt 17 Márta, 8pm  
 

Ar oíche Lá Fhéile Pádraig, féadfaidh lucht féachana siúl siar go hÉirinn na 1930idí, tráth ar tháinig snagcheol na Meiriceá i dtír agus chuaigh sé i gcoimhlint leis an traidisiún. Cuireann The Gralton Big Band agus an damhsóir-choireagrafaí Edwina Guckian athbheochan amharclainne agus ceoil ar an saol, ag fiosrú na tréimhse a bhain leis an Public Dance Halls Act (1935), nuair ba ghníomh dána iad ríl, waltz nó damhsa taobh amuigh den pharóiste. I measc na gceoltóirí tá Ryan Molloy (pianó), Stephen Doherty (bosca ceoil), David Doocey  (fidil), Matthew Berrill (il- uirliseoir), Jim Higgins (bodhrán), Conor Caldwell (fidil), Brona Graham (bainseó) agus Ben Castle (il-uirliseoir) , in éineacht leis na haisteoirí Seamus O’Rourke, Darragh Scannell agus Roseanne Lynch, agus casta mór damhsóirí: Edwina Guckian agus Molly Grady, Niamh Doherty, Megan Walsh, Clodagh McCaffrey, Ellen Langton, Gráinne Langton, Aoibhín Doherty, Ailíse Maxwell, Síofra Mooney, Claire Flanagan, Deirdre Kerins, Niamh Kerins, Eimear Healy, Róisín Faughnan, Alex O’Looney, Tony O’Looney, Croídhe Doherty, Jack Hughes, Ryan Owens agus Liam Taylor.   

Is é seo léiriú beo ar shaothar Guckian The Devil’s in the Dance Hall. Script le Vincent Woods agus treo amharclainne le John O’Hare. 

 

Eolas ar Leithdháileadh Ticéad — Seachtain Lá Fhéile Pádraig 2026

Ticéid ar díol: Dé Luain , 8ú Nollaig 10am ag www.nch.ie, Teil.01-4170000, nó ag Bosca Oifige an CNaH. 

Ceoltóirí Chualann agus Cór Cúil Aodha: Múscailt   

Dé Sathairn 14 Márta, 7.30pm  

Ticéid: €15, €19.50, €25, €29.50  

Laghdiú 10% do Chairde an CNaH agus do ghrúpaí 10+ 

 

Drawing from the Well  

Dé Domhnaigh 15 Márta 2026, 7.30pm 

Ticéid: €25, €30, €35 

Laghdiú 10% do Chairde an CNaH agus do ghrúpaí 10+ 

 

Banna Céilí Chill Fhionnúrach agus Aíonna  

Dé Luain 16 Márta, 8pm 

Ticéid: €22, €28.50, €32.50, €38.50 

Laghdiú 10% do Chairde an CNaH agus do ghrúpaí 10+ 

 

The Gralton Big Band – The Devil’s in the Dance Hall  

Dé Máirt 17 Márta, 8pm 

Ticéid: €15, €22, €27, €35  

Laghdiú 10% do Chairde an CNaH agus do ghrúpaí 10+ 

 

CRÍOCH 

Iarratais ó na Meáin chuig: Sinéad Doyle, Bainisteoir Margaíochta & Caidrimh Phoiblí, Teil. 087 1775334, sinead.doyle@nch.ie nó Roisín Dwyer, Feidhmeannach Caidrimh Phoiblí & Foilseachán, Teil. 085 7129628, roisin.dwyer@nch.ie  

 

MAIDIR LEIS AN gCEOLÁRAS NÁISIÚNTA 

Is institiúid chultúrtha náisiúnta cheoil í Ceoláras Náisiúnta na hÉireann (CNaH), ag freastal ar phobal na hÉireann ó 1981 trí léirithe ceoil bheo agus cláir shuntasacha oideachais agus cultúir ‘Discover’. Lonnaithe i gcroílár lár na cathrach i mBaile Átha Cliath, in aice le Gairdíní Iveagh, is baile bródúil don National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, National Symphony Chorus Ireland, Cór Linn agus Cór na nÓg é an CNaH, agus tugann sé lóistín do réimse eagraíochtaí ceoil eile, lena n-áirítear Chamber Choir Ireland, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Music Network, Crash Ensemble agus Music Generation. Tá athfhorbairt mhór ar na saoráidí uile á pleanáil aige faoi láthair mar chuid den Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta agus de Thionscadal Éireann 2040.