Tradoodle fest returns to Monaghan

Tradoodle, Ireland’s only traditional arts festival for children and families, returns to County Monaghan this weekend.

Now in its 9th year, the festival features a programme of events across four days with traditional musicians, singers, storytellers and dancers working alongside artists and creatives from the fields of visual arts, theatre and puppetry.

Presented by Ceol Connected in association with Monaghan County Council and Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan, the festival allows children and young people to become “immersed” in the culture and creativity, and “to engage with creative arts, music, song, dance and our traditional culture”, says Karl Doherty, Tradoodle’s Associate Producer.

“It’s a way of bringing music and everything from our culture to younger audiences. A lot of festivals are aimed at teens or adults, and this is a way to get the early years involved.”

An “amazing” opportunity to perform with “incredible” acts and musicians, children are invited to take part in events across a variety of settings from theatres through to preschools and playgrounds.

A special double-bill creating a musical journey between Finland and Ireland will take place in the Market House on Saturday evening, with ‘Folk from Finland’ set to bring Finnish folk music to the Farney county, which is paired with Finland for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and a performance of ‘The Starry Lane to Monaghan’ by local musicians Pádraig McGovern and Sabina McCague. A traditional music session will also be held beforehand.

Bringing together 100 young musicians from across Ulster, the Garage Theatre will come alive on Sunday afternoon with a lunchtime concert by up and coming Tipperary trad band Peter Street, the Cuilcagh ensemble and the Tradoodle Big Band, comprising young musicians from Cavan, Monaghan and beyond.

Exploring the importance of listening, imagination and connection, a giant puppet commission called ‘The One Who Listens’, created with children from Knockatallon National School, will also feature as part of this event, inviting audiences to consider the many ways stories can be shared.