Cambridge TradFest 2026

Visiting Artists

Ireland:

• Caitlín Nic Gabhann (concertina, dance)
• Ciarán Ó Maonaigh (fiddle)
• Cathal Ó Curráin (vocals, bouzouki, banjo)

Many more musicians to be announced! 

More details and musician bios can be found at cambridgetradfest.co.uk.

Schedule

Friday Family Ceili [Sold out!]
6 February 2026, 6:30pm - 9:45pm
St. Philip's Church
Music by the Magogs with calling by Robin Gracey.
Catering by Cambridge Sustainable Food. 
Session(s) to follow.

Saturday Workshops
7 February 2026, 10:30am - 12pm and 1pm - 2:30pm 
Romsey Mill and Ross Street Community Centre

• Caitlín Nic Gabhann (concertina, percussive dance) 
• Ciarán Ó Maonaigh (fiddle)
• Cathal Ó Curráin (banjo / mandolin, singing)
• Robin Gracey, Polly Kempson, and the Magogs (set dancing)
• Oisin McGinley (flute / whistle) [Sold out!]
• Andy Wilson (bodhrán)

Saturday Session Trail I
7 February 2026. Free entry for all events. Please support the pubs by purchasing food and drinks.

The Geldart: 14:30 – 17:30 Cath James (fiddle), Martin Harwood (fiddle) & Ben Connolly (piano / flute)
Hot Numbers: 14:30 – 17:00 Karen Ryan (fiddle) & Pete Quinn (piano)
The Six Bells: 15:00 – 18:00 Grace Lemon (pipes) & Joe Bardwell (guitar)
The Devonshire Arms: 15:00 – 18:00 Colm McGonigle (concertina) & Steve Prosol (box)
The Kingston Arms: 15:00 – 18:00 Josie Nugent (fiddle) & Brian Stafford (pipes)

Singing Session @ The Alex: 15:00 – 18:00 Dan Leighton

Saturday Youth Showcase
7 February 2026, 7pm - 8pm
St. Philips Church
Come out and support the next generation of Irish musicians. The concert will feature:

• Cambridge Comhaltas' Grupa Cheoil
• London's Trad Gathering (led by Karen Ryan and Pete Quinn)

Youth session to follow 20:00 – 21:45.

Saturday Session Trail II
7 February 2026. Free entry for all events. Please support the pubs by purchasing food and drinks.

Hot Numbers: 19:00 – 22:00 Ciarán Ó Maonaigh (fiddle) & Ben Connolly (piano / flute)
The Six Bells: 20:00 – 23:00 Cathal Ó Curráin (banjo) & Laura Ugur (fiddle)
The Alex: 20:00 – 23:00 Colm McGonigle (concertina) & Finola Ryan (fiddle)
The Devonshire Arms: 20:00 – 23:00 Caitlín Nic Gabhann (concertina) & Niamh Gallagher (fiddle)
The Kingston Arms: 20:00 – 23:00 The Magogs: Paul McMahon (box), Stephen Greenwood (fiddle), Andy Wilson (bodhran)

Set Dancing Session @ The Rathmore: 19:30 – 22:30 Bryony Lemon (box), James McLaughlin (flute) & Joe Bardwell (guitar) (Bring your instrument and your dancing shoes. Robin Gracey will be coordinating some set dances with the session leaders.)

Youth Session @ St. Philip’s Church: 20:00 – 21:45

Late Session @ The White Swan: 22:00 – 01:00

Sunday Pop-Up Gaeltacht & Session
8 February 2026, 11:30am – 2:00pm
The Rathmore Club
Cambridge Comhaltas will host an informal gathering to celebrate the Irish language, open to everyone from fluent speakers to complete beginners.
There will be a session from 1-2pm.

Sunday Concert
8 February 2026, 3pm - 4:15pm
St. Philips Church
The High Seas in concert.
Session to follow.

FAQ

What does intermediate / advanced mean?

• Beginner (less than 6 Irish tunes, no experience learning by ear)
• Intermediate (confident to start 6+ tunes at speed in a session, have learned tunes by ear)
• Advanced (can confidently play lots of tunes at speed in a session, have learned many tunes by ear)

Partners & Sponsors

More details at https://cambridgetradfest.co.uk/#sponsors.