For this 24th edition of the Festival a wonderfully impressive array of brilliant musicians and singers from Ireland, alongside a large number of London-based artists, will be involved in a fantastic weekend full of events celebrating traditional Irish music, song and dance.

With four major concerts, two set dancing céilís, one céilí for all, twenty instrumental/singing workshops and a huge programme of sessions (including the very popular tutor-led sessions), there is something for everyone and all the family. Two new innovations this year are céilí dancing and singing workshops specifically for children. IMDL are keen to make sure people of all ages come away with an ‘up close and personal experience’ of traditional Irish culture.

The Festival will also be hosting a triple bill album launch on the Sunday evening, highlighting new releases from Wicklow concertina player Paddy Egan, Galway’s The Kane Sisters (celebrating the music of Paddy Fahey) and West Cork accordionist and singer Diarmuid Ó Meachair.

Most events will take place at The Crown Hotel in Cricklewood, others at Ashford Place and at local public houses in Cricklewood and Kilburn. Set dancing events will be held at Mazenod Social Club.

Artists include: Bríd Harper, Dermot Byrne, Jim Murray / The Kane Sisters and John Blake / Jackie Daly and Matt Cranitch / Máire Ní Cathasaigh, Chris Newman / Sorcha Costello, Elaine Reilly, Catherine McHugh / Tommy Fitzharris, Dónal McCague / Bróna McVittie / Diarmuid Ó Meachair, James Carty and Jonas Fromseier / In Good Company / Paddy Egan, Mick O’Connor / Parish Céilí Band and more.

Tickets via Eventbrite, including All-Inclusive Weekend Tickets (4 Concerts/ 3 Ceilis) for £40
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/imdl-irish-music-and-dance-in-london-13464442929

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW:

Friday 28 October

Evening Concert: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (Doors 7.30pm, Tickets £20/ £6 U18s) Jackie Daly and Matt Cranitch/ Sorcha Costello, Elaine Reilly, Catherine McHugh/ Bróna McVittie.

FREE Sessions - The Crown Hotel (Cricklewood) and Colin Campbell (Kilburn)

Saturday 29 October

Instrumental Workshops at various Cricklewood venues (11am-1pm, Tickets £10)
Fiddle: Sorcha Costello
Banjo: Elaine Reilly
Accordion: Dermot Byrne
Concertina: Alex Kelly
Flute: John Rynne
Whistle: Brogan McAuliffe
Harp: Máire Ní Chathasaigh
Uilleann Pipes: Rita Farrell
Accompaniment: Jim Murray
Programmed Music Sessions from 1pm until late: The Crown Hotel, plus other Cricklewood and Kilburn venues - FREE

Afternoon Children’s Céilí Dancing Workshop: Sala Room, The Crown Hotel (1.30-2.30pm, Tickets £5): Anne Drury

Afternoon Singing Workshop (2-4pm, Tickets £10): Bróna McVittie

Afternoon Concert: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (Doors 2pm, Tickets £10/ £6 U18s) Diarmuid Ó Meachair, James Carty and Jonas Fromseier / Tommy Fitzharris, Dónal McCague and John Blake / In Good Company

Tutor Led Session: Sala Room, The Crown Hotel (3pm FREE) Sorcha Costello, Paddy Egan, Peter McAlinden

Set Dancing Céilí: Mazenod Social Club, Kilburn (4-7pm, Tickets £12) Music by the Parish Céilí Band

Evening Concert: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (Doors 7.30pm, Ticket £20/ £6 U18s) Dermot Byrne, Brid Harper, Jim Murray / Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Chris Newman / Liz and Yvonne Kane and John Blake

Sunday 30 October

Instrumental Workshops at various Cricklewood venues (11am-1pm, Tickets £10)
Fiddle: Brid Harper
Banjo: Jonas Fromseier
Accordion: Diarmuid Ó Meachair
Concertina: Paddy Egan
Flute: Tommy Fitzharris
Whistle: Peter McAlinden
Accompaniment: John Blake
Programmed Music Sessions from 1pm until late: The Crown Hotel, plus other Cricklewood and Kilburn venues - FREE

Afternoon Children’s Singing Workshop: Venue tba (1.30-2.30pm, Tickets £5):

Set Dancing Céilí: Mazenod Social Club, Kilburn (2-5pm, Tickets £12) Music by the Parish Céilí Band

Tutor Led Session: Sala Room, The Crown Hotel (3pm FREE): Tommy Fitzharris, Bríd Harper, Peter McAlinden

Acoustic Album Launch: Sala Room, The Crown Hotel (7pm FREE) Paddy Egan – ‘Tobar Gan Trá’ / The Kane Sisters - ‘In Memory of Paddy Fahey’ / Diarmuid Ó Meachair

Evening Céilí for All: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (8-10.30pm, Tickets £5) Mc Cool Trad

Monday 31 October 2022

Afternoon Concert: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (Doors 2pm, Tickets £10/ £6 U18s) Paddy Egan, Mick O’Connor, John Devine and Mick Bailey/ London Irish Pensioners Choir / Dermot Byrne and friends

www.returntolondontown.org

IMDL would like to thank their partners, sponsors and funders – Emigrant Support Programme, Culture Ireland, Flannery Hire Ltd, Ashford Place, The Irish World, Ardmore Group, The Irish Post, Ireland Funds of Great Britain and Irish Youth Foundation.