The iconic Cork Folk Festival is gearing up for it's 45th edition next month with a dazzling line-up to mark the milestone of its sapphire anniversary.

The festival, which runs from 2-6 October, promises an extraordinary mix of folk icons and rousing new talent, celebrating the best of traditional and contemporary folk music.

Cork Folk Festival. Photo Credit: Darragh Kane.

Paul Brady will headline this year's festival with a performance at the Cork Opera House. The Irish music legend's career has spanned over six decades, renowned for his involvement in such major folk outfits as The Johnstones and Planxty.

Another highlight of the 2024 festival is the launch of a new book at Cork City Music Library, titled Reeling Down the Years by author William Hammond which charts the remarkable history of Cork Folk Festival from 1979-2024.

Fesatival favourite Frankie Gavin will return to the Cork Opera House stage along with a new De Dannan set-up, featuring Catherine Mc Hugh, Ian Kinsella, Diarmuid Ó Meachair, and Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz. Cork singer-songwriter Jack O ‘Rourke will be the opening act for the concert.

Cúil Aodha singer and member of The Gloaming, Iarla Ó Lionáird, who has carved a long and unique career in music, will be joined on stage by Cork pianist Cormac McCarthy and Matthew Berrill along with singer Rosie McCarthy.

English folkster and Mercury Prize nominee Seth Lakeman will perform a set on Thursday, along with Moynihan. At the Triskel, acclaimed fiddle player Nollaig Casey will play alongside emerging star Niall McCabe and the legendary Mike McGoldrick. The rest of the evening will feature an all-star line up for a concert commemorating Sliabh Luachra fiddle player Denis Murphy.

The packed line up offers something for everyone. Friday will feature North Cregg with Christy Leahy, Liam Flannigan, Ciaran Coughlan, Martin Leahy and Claire-Anne Lynch. The following day features several open-air events and a workshop with Irish fiddle maestro Matt Cranitch. There will also be a nostalgic concert revisiting the Phoenix Bar, with Jimmy Crowley, Mick Daly, Mick O’Brien, Coppinger Stang, Eoin O’Riabhagh, Conal O’Grada, and Colm Murphy. On Sunday, a Community Concert will be held at Elizabeth Fort.

Season tickets for the 45th Cork Folk Festival are priced at €75, which grants access to all seven An Spailpín Fánach concerts. Individual show tickets are also available. For more information and tickets, please see here.