Tyneside Irish Festival 2023
This year the festival takes place 13th-29th October, with plenty of music, dance, performances, and opportunities for you to join in! Please note the events below are still being added to, and some details may be changed before the event. Keep an eye out here and on our social media pages for the latest info on details and tickets.
Tickets can be bought on our Eventbrite, through our email tyneirishcs@gmail.com, or our phone 0191 261 0385.
Brigid O’Neill Duo
Friday 13th October
19:30
£10 / £5 concession
Downpatrick singer-songwriter Brigid O’Neill is one of the most versatile, unique and fearless storytellers on the island, and her music effortlessly weaves elements of folk, country and jazz into relatable tales of happiness, heartbreak and the human condition. Accompanied by the wonderfully talented Christine Jeans, Geordie legend, George Welch, will be supporting Brigid with consummate musicianship, brilliant songs and his own brand of wit and wisdom.
The Wakes & Paddy Nash
Saturday 14th October
19:30 – Midnight
£20
Down By The Liffeyside
Sunday 15th October
14:30 – 17:00
£15 / £10 concession
Paddy Glackin, an Irish fiddler and founding member of the Bothy Band, is joined by duo Mary Corcoran on piano and Gay McKeon on uilleann pipes. For many years a much sought after session musician, Glackin’s fiddling can also be heard on recordings by Van Morrison, Kate Bush and John Cage. Gay McKeon and Mary Corcoran, husband and wife, have performed and recorded together, playing classic Irish reels, sets, and hornpipes that you’re sure to recognise.
Sally Glennon
Sunday 15th October
19:30
£5
Raised on Songs and Stories
Monday 16th October
12:30
Sunderland
Join local artists at St Mary’s Parish on Bridge Street in Sunderland for another installment of our Raised on Songs and Stories project, where we sing songs, play tunes and encourage anyone to get up and perform bringing together old friends and new, bringing together Irish emigrants who settled in the North East region during the 50s, 60s and 70s to celebrate their cultural heritage.
The Murder of Wolfe Tone
Tuesday 17th October
19:30
£12 / £10 concession
The Magic In The Tin Book Launch
Wednesday 18th October
14:00 & 19:00
£4
CANCELLED – Why Shouldn’t I Go?
Thursday 19th October
19:30
£15 / £12 concession
CANCELLED – Learn Irish Music & Dance
Friday 20th October
19:30
£5 suggested
O’Carolan by Candlelight, Sunderland
Saturday 21st October
19:30
£15 / £10 concession
Fianna Ni Chonnail, a traditional Irish and Celtic harpist based in Limerick, and Imogen Gunner, an award winning fiddle player and lecturer in folk and traditional music at Newcastle University, are here for a night of candlelight music to celebrate Ireland’s National Harp Day at the perfect setting of Trinity Church, Sunderland. Local musicians are also welcome to join in for the final part of the night.
Pat the Hat Speight
Will be around from
Tuesday 24th
to Friday 27th
The Cramlington Train Wreckers
Tuesday 24th October
14:00 & 19:00
£4
South Shields-based playwright Ed Waugh is here to show a short film about the Cramlington Train Wreckers, accompanied by a performance with songs and recitations. This unique film features interviews with the surviving striking miners imprisoned for their participation in derailing the Flying Scotsman at Cramlington during the 1926 General Strike.
Raised on Songs and Stories
Wednesday 25th October
12:30
Consett
Join local artists in Consett for another installment of our Raised on Songs and Stories project, where we sing songs, play tunes and encourage anyone to get up and perform bringing together old friends and new, bringing together Irish emigrants who settled in the North East region during the 60s and 70s to celebrate their cultural heritage.
CANCELLED – Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman
Saturday 28th October
19:30
£15 / £10 concession
Join this award-winning harp and guitar duo (plus support acts) who are once again playing for the Tyneside Irish festival. Máire, one of Ireland’s most important and influential traditional musicians, and Chris, a prolific composer ,arranger and record producer, have played at hundreds of festivals worldwide, including the All-Ireland Fleadh in Mullingar, Co Westmeath this past summer.
Family Fun Day
Sunday 29th October
14:00
Free
This is our family fun day for young people to celebrate their Irish heritage. We’ll have Pat the Hat with his music, magic and tales, the Comhaltas showing the musical skills of our young people, as well as Feis and Festival dancing, plus activities from the GAA in the morning, perfect for the whole family to get involved!