From modest beginnings, this celebration of all things trad has become a hugely popular annual event. The past decade has has seen the festival grow in terms of size, ambition and musical breadth, with a line-up that now appeals to the purist and the casual fan alike. This year, TradFest will usher in the light and energy of spring with performances by Irish heroes Paddy Casey, Maria Doyle Kennedy and The Hothouse Flowers; and up-and-coming stars of the future Lisa Lambe, Emma Langford and Susan O’Neill (SON). One of the most exciting acts is sure to be Afro Celt Sound System, a European and African based collective who have forged a reputation for energetic, uplifting shows.