A four day celebration of traditional singing with formal & informal sessions, concert, workshop, and talks, featuring local Inishowen, national and international singers. Now in its 33rd year, this is the longest running festival of traditional singing on the island of Ireland.
Friday 24 March 2023
8:00pm The Ballyliffin Hotel
Festival Opening Address, by Kevin McGonigle, Chairperson ITSC
8:30pm The Ballyliffin Hotel
Northwood Songs: Opening Lecture by Brian Miller: Ireland and the song traditions of the pine regions of the northern US and Canada
10:00pm The Ballyliffin Hotel
Home & Away Session. Our first official session calls singers turnabout from Ireland and visiting countries, and introduces our weekend guest singers.
Saturday 25 March 2023
11:00am Market House Clonmany
One Singer One Song: this 'workshop’ is a unique opportunity to hear local singers Bredgeen & Brónach Harkin talk about their personal connection with two songs from their repertoire. The local story is then placed within the wider context of song research by John Moulden.
1:00pm Lunch Market House Clonmany
Lunch for registered festival goers takes place in Clonmany’s new community café, housed in the restored 19th century Market House.
3:00pm McFeeley’s Bar Clonmany
We are delighted to return in 2023 to McFeeley’s Bar Clonmany for the ever popular Saturday afternoon session. The first half shines a light on regulars to our ITSC monthly singing sessions.
7:00pm Seminar Dinner The Ballyliffin Hotel
Food, songs and good company are the menu of the day at the Seminar Dinner held in the Ballroom of the Ballyliffin Hotel.
9:00pm Festival Concert The Ballyliffin Hotel
Featuring: Brian Miller (US), Anne Lamb (England), Naoise Mac Cathmhaoil (Donegal), Kathy Hobkirk (Scotland), Len Graham (Antrim), Michael & Alice Gallanagh (Inishowen), Dàibhidh Stiùbhard (Tyrone) and the Inishowen Trad Choir
More information on the ITSC website
11:00pm Late Session The Ballyliffin Hotel
Sunday 26 March 2023
12:00pm Weaving in the Glen Glendowen Craft Studio
Talk by Maurice Leyden on songs of the weaving industry including a live weaving demonstration on the hand loom currently in operation at Glendowen Craft Studio. Hosted by Ann McGonigle.
12 noon North Pole Bar Drumfries Music Session
Many visitors to the weekend are also musicians so Sunday at noon in the front bar of the North Pole is the gathering spot for tunes before the singing gets going at 3pm. The session is hosted by Brian Doyle.
3:00pm Singing Session The North Pole Bar
Sunday afternoon in the Back Room of the North Pole Bar, Drumfries is a big, joyful and powerful gathering of singers, hosted by Kevin McGonigle.
9:00pm Singing Session Mac Tam’s Bar, Clonmany
Mac Tam’s Bar, Clonmany is host to the Sunday night session, and led by Eleanor Lamb.
Monday 27 March 2023
12 noon Farewell Session Toland's Bar, Clonmany
This ‘noble call’ session is the final hurrah of the Inishowen International Folk Song and Ballad Seminar for 2023
Weekend registration is €60 to include entry to all events, refreshments, lunch/dinner Saturday, and intervenue transport. Registration opens in person at the Ballyliffin Hotel from 5:30pm and is payable by card or cash.