Carrigaline International Maritime and Folk Festival

The Carrigaline International Maritime and Folk Festival is a weekend event dedicated to the traditions of folk singing and storytelling. The program covers a wide range of genres, including maritime work songs known as shanties, sea-themed ballads called forebitters, and land-based traditional music such as mining, seasonal, and rural songs. Many performances focus on a capella styles and tight vocal harmonies, aiming to preserve the authentic roots and emotional legitimacy of the folk genre.

The festival utilizes multiple venues throughout Carrigaline, including The Corner House, The Stable Bar, Mabel Lane, and The Gaelic Bar. While many pub sessions and outdoor performances at the central car park gig rig are free for the public to attend, the festival also features major ticketed events. These include a Saturday night concert at the Inkwell Theatre in Minane Bridge and a headline performance on Sunday at the Carrigaline Court Hotel.

A significant highlight for the event is the appearance of Maddy Prior, a prominent figure in folk-rock, performing alongside Andrew ‘Spud’ Sinclair. The festival traditionally opens on a Friday evening with a grand session involving approximately seventy performers who gather before dispersing to various locations across the town for the remainder of the weekend.