Please note the Russell Festival Weekend 2023 will take place on 23-27 February 2023. The programme will be announced closer to the festival.
The Russell Festival Weekend features a variety of events for all ages including concerts, recitals, CD launches, lectures, workshops, kids sessions, pubs sessions and a tribute to the Russell Brothers at Doolin Graveyard following Sunday mass. See the full programme below.
Please be aware that there are only a limited number of tickets available for the Saturday and Sunday’s concerts. Weekend Tickets available (€40 instead of €50 for both concerts or €60 instead of €110 for both concerts + workshops). Click the link below to view tickets on Eventbrite.
Brand new to this year’s festival is a Sean Nós Dancing competition in honor of Gussie Mac Mahon and Brian Mc Mahon.
There will be a novice competition for Under 18 (The Gussie Mac Mahon Memorial Trophy) and a juvenile competition for Under 12 (The Brian Mc Mahon Memorial Cup).
Please note this Sean Nos dancing competition is only open to students of Céim ar Chéim Dance School.
For more information please contact Vincent Mac Mahon at vinneymc1@hotmail.com
Time: 7:30
Venue: The Attic at Hotel Doolin
Admission: Free (donations at the door for Irish Heart Foundation and Pieta House)
Time: from 8pm
Venue: All pubs and hotels
Admission: Free
Official opening of the festival at the Russell Centre featuring local musicians. The Russell Centre will be the Festival Hub for the weekend and will host several events.
Time: 4:30
Venue: Russell Community Centre
Admission: Free
Fiddle recital with Yvonne Casey accompanied by Eoin O’Neill.
Time: 5:30pm
Venue: McDermott’s Pub
Admission: Free
An evening featuring a host of local, rising talent with Céim Ar Chéim Dance School.
Time: 7pm
Venue: Russell Community Centre
Admission: Free (donations at the door)
Flute Recital with Noel O’Donoghue & Michael Hynes.
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Russell’s Bar at Fiddle+Bow
Admission: Free
Performances from MA students of the Irish World Academy (University of Limerick).
Time: 8:30pm
Venue: The Attic at Hotel Doolin
Admission: Free
Time: from TBC
Venue: All pubs and hotels
Admission: Free
Whistle workshop with Christy Barry.
With Conor Crimmins.
All ages welcome. Musicians must be at an intermediate level as these are not beginner classes.
Time: 10:30-12:30
Venue:Doolin National School
Admission:€40 (covers Saturday and Sunday workshops)
With Aisling Lyons.
All ages welcome. Musicians must be at an intermediate level as these are not beginner classes.
Time: 10:30-12:30
Venue:Doolin National School
Admission:€40 (covers Saturday and Sunday workshops)
With James Cullinan.
All ages welcome. Musicians must be at an intermediate level as these are not beginner classes.
Time: 10:30-12:30
Venue:Doolin National School
Admission: €40 (covers Saturday and Sunday workshops)
Early open session with Kirsten Allstaff, Neil Fitzgibbon & Dave Harper
Time: 11am
Venue: McGann’s Pub
Admission: Free
Lecture by Niamh Ni Charra: “100 years of Women in Irish Traditional Music”.
Time: 12:30
Venue: Russell Centre
Admission: Free
Open session for children led by Rachel Reid. All levels and instruments welcome.
Time: 1pm
Venue: Doolin Cave
Admission: Free
Live Q&A session with Frankie Gavin. MC: Dermot Sheedy.
Time: 2pm
Venue: Russell Centre
Admission: Free
Whistle recital with Christy Barry & Kirsten Allstaff.
Time: 3:30pm
Venue: Doolin Inn
Admission: Free
Local singer Theresa Garrihy, from Ennistymon, launches her debut album “Home”.
Time: 4:30
Venue: Russell’s Bar at Fiddle+Bow Hotel
Admission: Free
The Russell Festival’s main Saturday event featuring Frankie Gavin & Catherine McHugh (with special guest Aidan Quigney, 2022 All-Ireland Concertina Champion).
Support act by Aisling Lyons & Alan Reid
Time: 6pm
Venue: Russell Community Centre
Admission: €25 on Eventbrite.ie (Weekend Tickets Available at €40)
Time: 9pm
Venue: The Attic
Admission: €15 via www.doolinarts.ie/events or at the door
Time: from 11am
Venue: All pubs and hotels
Admission: Free
Time: Midnight till late
Venue: The Attic at Hotel Doolin
Admission: Free Entry
Whistle workshop with Christy Barry.
Time: 10:30-12:30
Venue: Doolin National School
Admission: €40 (covers Saturday and Sunday workshops)
With Conor Crimmins.
All ages welcome. Musicians must be at an intermediate level as these are not beginner classes.
Time: 10:30-12:30
Venue:Doolin National School
Admission: €40 (covers Saturday and Sunday workshops)
With Aisling Lyons.
All ages welcome. Musicians must be at an intermediate level as these are not beginner classes.
Time: 10:30-12:30
Venue:Doolin National School
Admission: €40 (covers Saturday and Sunday workshops)
With James Cullinan.
All ages welcome. Musicians must be at an intermediate level as these are not beginner classes.
Time: 10:30-12:30
Venue:Doolin National School
Admission: €40 (covers Saturday and Sunday workshops)
Early open session with Beanie Odell, Terry Bingham & Vincent Fogarty.
Time: 11am
Venue: Doolin Inn
Admission: Free
Banjo Recital with Kevin Griffin & Pauline Griffin
Time: 11:30am
Venue: Gus O’Connor’s Pub
Admission: Free
Storytelling event with Mick Riordan, joined by John Hehir & Helen Browne
Time: 12noon
Venue: Doolin Cave
Admission: Free
Memorial Mass followed by laying of the wreath at Russell’s Grave.
Time: 1pm
Venue: Doolin Church
Admission: Free
Presentation by Eugene Lambe about The Russells and other Doolin musicians.
Time: 2:30pm
Venue: Russell Community Centre
Admission: Free
Inclusive singing circle led by Kate Daly, Theresa Garrihy, Katie Theasby & Kathleen Lynch.
Time: 4:30
Venue: Tent at Fiddle+Bow Hotel
Admission: Free
Concertina recital with Aoife Kelly accompanied by Cathy Potter (Harp)
Time: 3:30pm
Venue: Doolin Inn
Admission: Free
The Russell Festival’s main Sunday event featuring Mary Bergin & Mick Conneely followed by Tara Breen, Padraig Rynne & Jim Murray.
Time: 6pm
Venue: Russell Community Centre
Admission: €25 on Eventbrite.ie (Weekend Tickets available at €40)
Accordion maestro Derek Hickey launches his long awaited debut album.
Time: 9pm
Venue: The Attic at Hotel Doolin
Admission: Free
Time: from 11am
Venue: All pubs and hotels
Admission: Free
Early open session with Derek Hickey, Charles Monod & Macdara Ó Faoláin
Time: 11:30am
Venue: McGann’s Pub
Admission: Free
Time: from 11:30am
Venue: All pubs and hotels
Admission: Free
