THE IRISH FOLK FESTIVAL 2026 - Golddust in Your Pocket

Description

Irish tradition is like a battery that has been recharging itself for centuries. The energy and joy of life it provides flow back into it with every session, with every concert, keeping the cycle going. Those who participate give a lot and receive a lot in return. Happiness that can be shared with others is always stronger than that which one experiences alone. Collective memory and shared remembrance connect. It is fascinating that tradition simply exists and one can participate in it so effortlessly, even though everything in our world is becoming more expensive. It is 'gold dust in your pocket,' which you keep finding anew when you slip into the suit of tradition. So let's see what gold nuggets tradition has conjured into our pockets in the 53rd year of the Irish Folk Festival Tour. We look forward to seeing you! Of course, at the IFF with four program points that could not be more different, but which come together as the highlight of the evening during the session, forming a shimmering rainbow. An Irish myth states that a treasure is hidden at the end of the rainbow. This treasure remains a symbol of longing, happiness, and the dream of the unreachable. And perhaps it is exactly this that has fascinated us all along: that you set out on a quest – well aware that the end of the rainbow can never be found. Join us on the search! BRIAN LEACH • Master of the hammered dulcimer Brian Leach's music is a spherical sound universe – traditional, progressive folk on the hammered dulcimer, full of depth and magic. Traditional melodies merge with wide, freely improvised sound arcs and pulsating rhythms. The hammered dulcimer – a zither found in many cultures, but rather rare in Irish tradition – is perfect for this because it combines both melody and accompaniment. Brian says: When I compose in the idiom of traditional music, I immerse myself in places and ideas, carried by encounters with people and landscapes. Irish music – in my conviction – comes from the land, the sea, the earth, the cliffs, and the wind that surround us. It is a living tradition because these elements still have something to tell us. It is the task of the composer to listen and pass on this message." Brian's cosmic sound opens gates between worlds: ancient layers of Celtic tradition connect with a fresh, visionary energy. His self-made zither sounds like no other – new, surprising, unmistakable – captivating the audience. He has also incorporated zither techniques from other cultures, from the Balkans to India. His compositions have been performed at the National Concert Hall Dublin, and he is a frequent guest on BBC Radio and RTÉ television. BRIAN HAITZ & BRENDAN MULHOLLAND • A duo of many sounds The Irish Folk Festival is like a tasting menu: fine, handpicked bites that make you crave the green island and its music. With their performance, Brendan Mulholland and Brian Haitz demonstrate how intensely just two musicians can captivate an audience. Wooden flute and delicate guitar merge into virtuosic instrumentals, complemented by selected songs. Their music leaves a feeling of lightness and inspires – real nourishment for the soul.
Brian Haitz, multi-instrumentalist and singer, was awarded Young Musician of the Year at the Sidmouth Folk Festival. His career has taken him into the studio and onto the stage with Irish folk giants like Paddy Keenan and Alan Doherty, as well as world musicians like Rüdiger Oppermann.
Brendan Mulholland hails from County Antrim in Northern Ireland and is internationally regarded as one of the outstanding flutists of his generation. His expressive style, characterized by distinctive 'blue notes' and unmistakable vibrato, can be heard on numerous recordings. Renowned artists and bands such as Mary Dillon, Tempest, Grainne Holland, and John Carty have invited him on tours and CD productions. ASTRO BLOC • A dynamic new folk band They met in a pub called 'Bloc' during a session. But the band name 'Astro' refers to space, stars, something cosmic – a picture of vastness, vision, or cross-border creativity. In conjunction with 'Bloc,' the strong bonds of the collective are invoked. Together, 'Astro Bloc' is a symbol of a creative unity with cosmic scope. On board: fiddler Eryn Rae, BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year, the internationally acclaimed percussion virtuoso and drummer Paul Jennings, the exceptional musician Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín, who has won the 'All Ireland Champion' title 11 times on multiple instruments, and the innovative guitarist Gillie O’Flaherty with his genre-crossing accompaniment. The heart of the spaceship are the two young ladies' fiddles, tossing the balls to each other. Sometimes in counter-rhythm, sometimes in sweet harmony, and sometimes in breathtakingly fast unison. They are launched into their cosmic orbit by the powerful drive system of drums and guitar. Together, they spark sparks and give the folk scene a fresh, lively energy. Inspired by the sound worlds of Scotland and Ireland. A young, powerful folk band that merges tradition with unbridled creativity and creates an exciting sound that redefines the genre. THE OUTCAST CREW • The godfathers of punky Folk The Outcast Crew tear up the rulebook and give Celtic music a good dose of fire. Their sound is rough, wild, and contagious – Irish Trad-Punk like you haven't heard in a long time. Whether on European stages or directly from the speakers at home: nobody can ignore this band. Known as the 'Godfathers of Punky Folk,' they ignite music rather than just playing it. Their song 'Bound for Hell' not only made it onto international stages but also into a BBC documentary about the Kinahans – Ireland's most notorious criminal family – a clear sign of their energy and force. The rhythm section of drums and electric bass fuels a pulsating glow, topped with an Irish folk-scented essence. This is a hundred percent distilled fiddle, guitar, and vocals. The singer and guitarist Brian O’Mahoney's gravelly voice looks as rough as he sounds. Beard, flat cap, and a driving guitar style. They are already legends in appearance – flat caps, tousled beards, and looks as if they've seen every tavern from Cork to Boston. Now, finally, a band of real grit and substance with them. With the 'Godfathers of punky Folk,' this style of music has the right godparents to continue thriving.

Highlights

• 53rd year of the Irish Folk Festival Tour
• Featuring Brian Leach, Master of the hammered dulcimer
• Four diverse program points

General Information

The Irish Folk Festival 2026 takes place at the Capitol Mannheim and offers a diverse program celebrating Irish tradition. Visitors can look forward to a mix of music and communal experience that reflects the joy of life and energy of Irish folklore.

Location

Waldhofstraße 2, 68169 Mannheim, Germany

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