Fingal Fringe, as part of Tradfest 2024, was just brilliant for our community. Huge thanks to Martin Harte CEO of Tradfest Temple Bar and his team, and to Annemarie Farrelly, CE0 of FCC, and her extended team, including John Quinlivan and Declan Power. Traditional music is having a resurgence in Ireland. Since the start-up of Leithinis CCÉ five years ago and then with regular Traditional Music sessions in the pubs, it has definitely taken off on our Peninsula. For Tradfest Fingal, Fringe FCC and local businesses came together to support local talent which is in abundance in our area. On the Saturday night, Keeling’s had the ‘Hawthorn Door’ - three young men Ciarán MacGiolla Ruaidh, Eoin Ó Halpin, Shane Coll. They were joined by Ciarán’s sister Róisín, a beautiful singer of old Irish tunes. They do all the old Irish ballads and their own music. They were a truly great hit with all of the customers. On the Sunday night, the Brook Pub had Seán & Denis Collins, a father and son duo, performing. Sean is a superbly talented guitarist and song writer and his father a great flute player. Between them they raised the roof. A great night of traditional music continued with a group from Leithinis CCÉ & Brook Trad followed by the hugely acclaimed Éamonn Galldubh, Daire Bracken and Alan Burke. It is such a confidence boost for our young talented people to have opportunities to perform in public. The more places the better. So, along with pubs and clubs, the provision of dedicated places to play and practice is very important. Next year, Tradfest will, with a bit of tweaking - that is more of the same - be even bigger & better! Again thanks to those in Tradfest, FCC and our community who took a leap of faith and either helped or supported all of the events. See ye all next year!