Traditional weekend returns to Mayo town with 45 events across four days

Four days of traditional music, song, dance, workshops and community events will take place in Foxford from October 15 to 18, as part of the Foxford Traditional Weekend for 2026.

The annual festival will bring 45 events and workshops to venues across the town, celebrating Foxford's strong musical heritage while welcoming musicians, performers and visitors from across Ireland and beyond.

This year's programme includes concerts, masterclasses, storytelling, traditional music workshops, family events, the popular Session Trail, Rambling House and the colourful Mummers Parade.

The festival gets underway on Thursday, October 15, with Holding the Story: A Storytelling Project from Mayo, followed by the much-loved Rambling House at the Moy Hotel, an evening of storytelling, music and song.

On Friday, October 16, the official opening and Féile Concert at the Moy Hotel will feature the long-awaited reunion of Mayo traditional music favourites Céide, alongside Jillian O’Malley and Glór na Sí. The evening will also see the launch of Jillian O’Malley’s new album.

Saturday's programme offers a full day of workshops and masterclasses covering fiddle, flute, concertina, accordion, banjo, tin whistle, harp and traditional singing. Tutors include Ryan Molloy, David Doocey, Aileen Bourke, Stephen Doherty, Brian Scahill, Tom Doherty, Marianne Knight and Caoimhe Ní Fhlatharta.

Saturday will also feature National Harp Day, with a Harp Ensemble recital at Foxford Woollen Mill and a free hands-on Harp taster session, giving visitors the opportunity to try Ireland's national instrument.

That evening, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta with Ryan Molloy will perform at Foxford Convent Church, followed by a special international concert at the Moy Hotel celebrating the musical connections between Ireland, Brittany and the Basque Country. The concert features Cúas, Xabi Aburruzaga, Marie Le Cam and Niamh Ní Charra, bringing together traditional music and dance from the three cultures.

Sunday's programme has a strong focus on families and younger musicians, with Trad for Tots, an interactive talk exploring Irish, Breton and Basque musical traditions, the Comhaltas Cuimsiú Session and a Junior Session showcasing young musicians, singers and dancers.

One of the weekend's highlights will be the Mummers Parade on Sunday evening. Visitors can take part in a traditional straw hat-making workshop with renowned dancer and cultural ambassador Edwina Guckian before joining the Mummers as they make their way from Foxford National School towards Main Street.

Throughout the weekend, the Session Trail will bring traditional music into pubs and venues across Foxford, giving visitors the opportunity to experience live Irish music in an informal setting.

Festival Director Stephen Doherty said: “Foxford has always had music at its heart, and this festival is about celebrating that tradition while inspiring the next generation. “We are proud to welcome such an incredible line-up of artists and to create a space where community, culture and creativity thrive side by side.”

The Foxford Traditional Weekend is organised by the local Comhaltas branch in Foxford, with a voluntary committee dedicated to nurturing and promoting traditional Irish music, song, dance, storytelling and Gaeilge.

The festival has grown into an important celebration of the town's musical heritage, while also providing opportunities for young musicians and performers to learn, participate and take to the stage alongside more established artists.

Mairéad Melody Carr, manager of Mayo North Tourism, said: “The Foxford Traditional Weekend is a wonderful example of the way music, culture and community come together in north Mayo. The programme offers something for everyone, from young children experiencing traditional music for the first time to accomplished musicians taking part in workshops and masterclasses. It is also a great opportunity for visitors to experience Foxford and the warmth of the community here during what promises to be a fantastic weekend.”

With a packed programme of concerts, workshops, sessions and activities for all ages, the Foxford Traditional Weekend offers four days of music, culture and community in the heart of north Mayo.

The festival is also an opportunity for Foxford and the surrounding area to showcase its musical heritage while welcoming visitors to experience the town, its people and its traditional culture.

For the full programme, tickets and workshop bookings, visit here.