The Irish Folk Festival 2026
Golddust in your Pocket
The Irish tradition is like a battery that constantly recharges itself over centuries. The energy and joy of life it provides flow back into it with each session, with each concert, keeping the cycle alive. Those who participate give a lot and receive a lot in return. Happiness, which can be shared with others, is always stronger than the happiness experienced alone. It is fascinating that the tradition simply exists and that one can join it so easily, even though everything in our world keeps getting more expensive. It is "gold dust in your pocket". We look forward to seeing you! Of course at the IFF with four program highlights that couldn't be more different, yet together at the session, they connect as the peak of the evening into a dazzling rainbow. An Irish myth says that at the end of the rainbow lies a hidden treasure. To this day, this treasure symbolizes longing, happiness, and the dream of the unattainable. And perhaps that is exactly what has fascinated us since time immemorial: that we embark on a search – fully aware that the end of the rainbow can never be found. Come with us on the search!
BRIAN LEACH • Master of the hammered dulcimer
The music of Brian Leach is a spherical sound universe – traditional, progressive folk on the hammered dulcimer, full of depth and magic. Traditional melodies merge with wide, freely improvisational sound arcs and pulsating rhythms. The hammered dulcimer – a type of zither found in many cultures – is rather rare in the Irish tradition, but it is perfect for it, as the instrument unites both melody and accompaniment. Brian says: "When I compose in the idiom of traditional music, I dive into places and ideas, letting encounters with people and landscapes carry me. Irish music comes – this is my belief – 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 composer's task to listen and convey this message." Brian's cosmic sound opens gates between worlds: ancient layers of Celtic tradition combine with a fresh, visionary energy. His handcrafted dulcimer sounds like no other – new, surprising, unmistakable – and captivates the audience. In his music, he has also incorporated dulcimer 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 musically like a tasting menu: fine, handpicked morsels that inspire a longing for 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 intricate guitar merge into virtuoso instrumentals, complemented by selected songs. Their music leaves a feeling of lightness and inspires – real nourishment for the soul. Brian Haitz, a 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 greats such as Paddy Keenan and Alan Doherty as well as world musicians like Rüdiger Oppermann. Brendan Mulholland hails from County Antrim in Northern Ireland and is regarded internationally as one of the outstanding flutists of his generation. His expressive style, characterized by poignant "blue notes" and distinctive vibrato, can be heard on numerous recordings. Renowned artists and bands such as Mary Dillon, Tempest, Grainne Holland, and John Carty have invited him to tours and CD productions.
ASTRO BLOC • A dynamic new folk band
They met during a session in a pub called "Bloc". However, the band name "Astro" refers to the cosmos, stars, something cosmic – an image for expansiveness, vision, or cross-border creativity. Combined with "Bloc", the strong bonds of the collective are evoked. Together, "Astro Bloc" is a symbol of a creative unity with cosmic expanse.
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" an impressive 11 times on several instruments, and the innovative guitarist Gillie O’Flaherty with his cross-genre accompaniment. The centerpiece of the spaceship are the two fiddles of the young ladies, who toss the musical ideas back and forth. Sometimes in counter-rhythm, sometimes in sweet harmony, and sometimes in breathtakingly fast unison. They are shot into their cosmic orbit by the powerful propulsion system of drums and guitar. Together they light up the stage 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 to create an exciting sound that redefines the genre.
THE OUTCAST CREW • The godfathers of punky Folk
The Outcast Crew rips the rulebook to shreds and gives Celtic music a proper dose of fire. Their sound is raw, wild, and infectious – Irish Trad-Punk like you haven't heard it in a long time. Whether on stages across Europe or right 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 to international stages but also into a BBC documentary about the Kinahans – Ireland's most notorious crime family – a clear indication of their energy and power. The rhythm section of drums and electric bass fuels a pulsating glow, onto which an enchanting essence reminiscent of Irish folk is poured. This is a hundred percent distillation of fiddle, guitar, and vocals. The rasping voice of singer and guitarist Brian O’Mahoney is that of a rough neck, and he looks the part too. Beard, flat cap, and a driving guitar. Visually they are already a legend – flat caps, tousled beards, and looks suggesting they've seen every dive from Cork to Boston. Now we finally have a band with real grit. With the “Godfathers of punky Folk,” this music style has just the right godfathers to continue to thrive.
Door opens: 19:00 Uhr
Hallo, ich bin Maya.
