Temple Bar to come alive to sound of trad

The narrow streets of Dublin's cultural quarter will come alive to the sound of music later this month as the third annual Temple Bar Traditional Music Festival takes place.

The festival, which runs from January 23rd-27th, will see 300 musicians performing seven concerts and more than 50 sessions in venues such as the Project Arts Centre, the Button Factory and the Olympia Theatre. There will also be regular pub sessions and a festival club.

Highlights of the programme include concerts from bands At First Light, Gráda, Clan Ranald and the recently formed Mozaik, featuring Dónal Lunny and Andy Irvine.

The festival is organised as a non-profit venture by the Temple Bar Traders Group, who said the idea had two aims when it began in 2006.

"Firstly, we wanted to give traditional music a platform in Dublin. This is the only trad festival in Dublin and prior to this there had not been one for 20 years," said Lisa Fitzsimons of the traders' group.

"January is a quiet time of year in Dublin with no other festivals and we wanted to provide people with some entertainment."

This year's festival has grown and will include street events and workshops, as well as a family programme, which will run at the Ark cultural centre in Temple Bar.

Children will be treated to a special concert, storytelling, a treasure hunt, as well as "come and try" workshops for budding musicians with an ear for a tune.

Further information about the festival, including concert times and venues, can be found at www.templebartrad.com.