Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival

28/08/2026

Best wishes to playing THE MAIN STAGE at this weekend.... enjoy every second Rian.

17/08/2026

Well done Rian McCauley, delighted for you. Main stage at Electric Picnic awaits 😎

14/08/2026

GOLDEN JUBILEE: BALLYSHANNON FOLK & TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES LIMITED EARLYBIRD TICKETS FOR LANDMARK 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN 2027
BALLYSHANNON, CO. DONEGAL, IRELAND – Ireland’s longest-running folk and traditional music festival will mark a historic half-century milestone from Thursday, 29th July to Sunday, 1st August 2027. The 50th Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival brings 50 years of heritage, song, and community spirit to Ireland’s oldest town. The Golden Anniversary edition builds on five decades of tradition on the banks of the River Erne along the Wild Atlantic Way.
🔥👉Tickets www.ballyshannonfolkfestival.com

05/08/2026

Lovely words by World Photography by Karen Skelly Donegal

Looking like an absolute goddess, Shauna Mullin took her rightful place with one of Ireland’s most iconic and influential traditional bands, Dé Danann, continuing the remarkable lineage of powerful female voices that have graced the group over the decades, including Dolores Keane, Maura O’Connell, Mary Black, and Eleanor Shanley.

Standing to her right was Frankie Gavin, founding member of Dé Danann, established in 1974 in An Spidéal, County Galway. An All-Ireland fiddle and flute champion by the age of just 17, Gavin has long been regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest traditional musicians. His remarkable career has seen him collaborate with artists across many genres, including a little band called The Rolling Stones. Through a friendship forged with Keith Richards, whom he met while Richards was holidaying in the west of Ireland, Frankie was invited to record fiddle on the Rolling Stones’ Voodoo Lounge sessions at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin in 1994.

For Ballyshannon’s own Shauna Mullin, stepping into a role previously occupied by some of Ireland’s finest singers was no small honour. Yet she made it unmistakably her own. Singing with a voice that came from a place of confidence, warmth and inner strength, she delivered every song with conviction. Her powerful, emotive vocals reached every corner of the audience, while her gracious manner reflected just how much she appreciated the opportunity to perform alongside such gifted musicians.

The response from the audience said it all. Each performance was met with rapturous applause, with the warmth shown to Shauna returned a thousandfold by those fortunate enough to witness it.

This year’s Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival will surely be remembered as one of the finest in recent years. Musically, it was an extraordinary weekend, showcasing the very best of Irish traditional music and confirming once again why this festival remains so special.

With next year marking the 50th anniversary of the festival, anticipation is already building. If this year’s celebrations are anything to go by, the golden anniversary promises to be something truly exceptional. The longest-running folk festival in Ireland, held in Ireland’s oldest town, has every reason to celebrate this remarkable milestone. There is no doubt that preparations are already beginning, and next year’s festival is certain to be one of the standout events on Ireland’s cultural calendar.

📸World Photography

Kaitlin Cullen -Verhauz , Shauna Mullin . Frankie Gavin

Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music FestivalDonegal Democrat / Donegal LiveHot Press MagazineGo Visit DonegalIrish Music Magazine official

03/08/2026

THANK YOU, BALLYSHANNON! ❤️🎶

What an absolutely incredible weekend! The 49th Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival has officially come to a close, and we are completely overwhelmed by the phenomenal support and energy you brought to the town.

Seeing the Market Yard come alive under the tent, with people enjoying the music, the craic, and the sunshine, was a sight to behold.

A massive, heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who made this weekend such a resounding success:

To our spectacular artists, who delivered unforgettable performances from the opening notes of The Seeger Sessions to the final bows of Johnny Gallagher and the Big Box Ceili Band last night.

To our generous sponsors, ESB, Donegal County Council, Failte Ireland, Donegal Tourism, Sandhouse Hotel and local businesses for your vital and continued backing of this historic event.

To every single person who bought a ticket, brought a camp chair, and showed up to support live, local music. Thank you to Barry Britton for his amazing poster.

Most importantly, the biggest shoutout goes to our tireless crew of volunteers. This festival has been proudly volunteer-run for 49 years, and it simply would not happen without your dedication, late nights, and unbeatable community spirit.

And now... the countdown begins! 🕰️

Next year, we reach our monumental 50th milestone. We are already hard at work planning something truly spectacular to celebrate a half-century of music and memories. Rest up, Ballyshannon—we will see you next year for the biggest one yet! (29th July to 1st Aug 2027 - mark your calendars - early bird tickets on sale from tomorrow!)

ESB Go Visit Donegal Donegal County Council The Sandhouse Hotel & Marine Therapies .gallagher George Murphy

02/08/2026

Set list ready! Make your way to the tent for Johnny Gallagher and The Big Box Ceili Band.... hup!

02/08/2026

🚨 THE FINAL NIGHT IS HERE! LET’S SEND THE 49TH OUT IN STYLE! 🚨

It all comes down to this! We have had an absolutely magical weekend of music and craic under the new stretch tent at the Market Yard, and tonight is the grand finale of the 49th Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival.

Let's give this year the spectacular send-off it deserves with Sinead Willox Music, Kicking Donkeys and Johnny Gallagher and The Big Box Ceili Band

🎟️ NEED TICKETS? The Festival Ticket Office (located at the Bus Station) is OPEN ALL DAY today! Drop by anytime to secure your tickets and collect your wristbands for tonight's closing concerts. You can also book online at www.ballyshannonfolkfestival.com.

Gather the crew, get down early, and let's make this a closing night for the history books! 🎶⛺

ESB