What's on

Irish Traditional Music Festival in Doolin

Russell Festival 2023
23-27 February

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.

Thursday 23/02

Gussie Mac Mahon Memorial Trophy | Sean Nós Dancing

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)

Welcome sessions

Time: from 8pm
Venue: All pubs and hotels
Admission: Free

  • O’Connor’s Pub from 8pm with Noel O’Donoghue, Sean Vaughan & Felim Collins
  • McGann’s Pub from 8:30 with Sarah Clarke & Eddie Costello
  • Fitz’s Pub at Hotel Doolin 8:30pm with Tunes From Doolin Sessions. Special guests Eoin O’Neill (accordion) and Kevin Finucane (fiddle).

Friday 24/02

Official Opening

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

Fiddle recital with Yvonne Casey accompanied by Eoin O’Neill.

Time: 5:30pm
Venue: McDermott’s Pub
Admission: Free

Concert "Céim Ar Chéim"

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

Flute Recital with Noel O’Donoghue & Michael Hynes.

Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Russell’s Bar at Fiddle+Bow
Admission: Free

Irish World Academy Stage

Performances from MA students of the Irish World Academy (University of Limerick).

Time: 8:30pm
Venue: The Attic at Hotel Doolin
Admission: Free

Pub sessions

Time: from TBC
Venue: All pubs and hotels
Admission: Free

  • O’Connor’s Pub from 6pm
  • McDermott’s Pub from 9:30pm
  • McGann’s Pub from 6:30pm
  • Fitz’s Pub at Hotel Doolin from 8:30pm
  • Russell’s Bar at Fiddle+Bow from 9pm

Saturday 25/02

Whistle Workshop

Whistle workshop with Christy Barry.

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)
Flute Workshop

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)

Concertina Workshop

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)

Fiddle Workshop

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)

Saturday Brunch session

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"

Lecture by Niamh Ni Charra: “100 years of Women in Irish Traditional Music”.

Time: 12:30
Venue: Russell Centre
Admission: Free

Kids Session

Open session for children led by Rachel Reid. All levels and instruments welcome.

Time: 1pm
Venue: Doolin Cave
Admission: Free

LIVE Q&A with Frankie Gavin

Live Q&A session with Frankie Gavin. MC: Dermot Sheedy.

Time: 2pm
Venue: Russell Centre
Admission: Free

Whistle Recital with Christy Barry & Kirsten Allstaff

Whistle recital with Christy Barry & Kirsten Allstaff.

Time: 3:30pm
Venue: Doolin Inn
Admission: Free

CD Launch - Theresa Garrihy

Local singer Theresa Garrihy, from Ennistymon, launches her debut album “Home”.

Time: 4:30
Venue: Russell’s Bar at Fiddle+Bow Hotel
Admission: Free

Main Concert - Frankie Gavin & Catherin McHugh / Support act: Aisling Lyons & Alan Reid

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)

The Katie Theasby Collective

Time: 9pm
Venue: The Attic
Admission: €15 via www.doolinarts.ie/events or at the door

Pub sessions

Time: from 11am
Venue: All pubs and hotels
Admission: Free

  • O’Connor’s Pub from 1pm
  • McDermott’s Pub from 3pm
  • McGann’s Pub from 11am
  • Fitz’s Pub at Hotel Doolin from 6pm
  • Russell’s Bar at Fiddle+Bow from 9pm
Festival club with dermot sheedy

Time: Midnight till late
Venue: The Attic at Hotel Doolin
Admission: Free Entry

Sunday 26/02

Whistle Workshop

Whistle workshop with Christy Barry.

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)

Flute Workshop

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)

Concertina Workshop

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)

Fiddle Workshop

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)

Sunday Brunch Session

Early open session with Beanie Odell, Terry Bingham & Vincent Fogarty.

Time: 11am
Venue: Doolin Inn
Admission: Free

Banjo Recital with Kevin Griffin & Pauline Griffin

Banjo Recital with Kevin Griffin & Pauline Griffin

Time: 11:30am
Venue: Gus O’Connor’s Pub
Admission: Free

Storytelling with Mick Riordan, joined by John Hehir & Helen Browne

Storytelling event with Mick Riordan, joined by John Hehir & Helen Browne

Time: 12noon
Venue: Doolin Cave
Admission: Free

Memorial Mass

Memorial Mass followed by laying of the wreath at Russell’s Grave.

Time: 1pm
Venue: Doolin Church
Admission: Free

LEcture by Eugene Lambe - "The Russells & Other Doolin Musicians"

Presentation by Eugene Lambe about The Russells and other Doolin musicians.

Time: 2:30pm
Venue: Russell Community Centre
Admission: Free

Community Singing Circle

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

Concertina recital with Aoife Kelly accompanied by Cathy Potter (Harp)

Time: 3:30pm
Venue: Doolin Inn
Admission: Free

Sunday Concert: Mary Bergin & Mick Conneely + Tara Breen, Padraig Rynne & Jim Murray

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)

CD Launch - Derek Hickey

Accordion maestro Derek Hickey launches his long awaited debut album.

Time: 9pm
Venue: The Attic at Hotel Doolin
Admission: Free

Pub sessions

Time: from 11am
Venue: All pubs and hotels
Admission: Free

  • O’Connor’s Pub from 1pm
  • McDermott’s Pub from 3pm
  • McGann’s Pub from 3pm
  • Fitz’s Pub at Hotel Doolin from 6pm
  • Russell’s Bar at Fiddle+Bow from 9pm

Monday 27/02

Monday Brunch Session

Early open session with Derek Hickey, Charles Monod & Macdara Ó Faoláin

Time: 11:30am
Venue: McGann’s Pub
Admission: Free

Farewell sessions

Time: from 11:30am
Venue: All pubs and hotels
Admission: Free

  • O’Connor’s Pub from 3pm
  • McDermott’s Pub at 9:30pm
  • McGann’s Pub at 11:30am
  • Fitz’s Pub at Hotel Doolin at 9pm