Dr John Stafford Tradfest

08/05/2026

Looking forward to seeing all our young musicians and singers! We would love to see you all there supporting our brilliant youngsters!

🎻🎶 The countdown is on! 🎶🎻

Our talented young musicians are busy rehearsing and getting ready to take the stage at the Elphin Comhaltas End of Term Gala Concert! ✨

After 8 months of learning, practicing and performing, the kids can’t wait to showcase their music, singing and dancing talents for family, friends and the local community. 💚

Expect a fantastic night of entertainment, Irish culture, celebration and plenty of ceol agus craic! 🇮🇪🎤💃

📍 Elphin Community Centre
📅 Friday 22 May 2026
⏰ 7pm
🎟 Adults €10 | Kids Go Free

Come out and support the next generation of traditional Irish musicians — your encouragement means the world to them! 🌟

30/03/2026

🎻✨ BIG NEWS FOR MUSIC LOVERS! ✨🎶

Building on the incredible success of this year’s festival, the Dr John Stafford Tradfest is back in Elphin from 19th – 21st February 2027 — and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever! 🇮🇪🔥

Get ready for a fantastic weekend filled with outstanding music, lively sessions, the much-loved Dr Stafford Feis, and plenty of unforgettable craic! 🎶💚

Whether you're performing, listening, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, this is a celebration of Irish traditional music you won’t want to miss!

👉 Make sure to follow this page and CCÉ Elphin on social media for exciting announcements, artist line-ups, and updates throughout the year!



Independent Roscommon Roscommon County Council Roscommon Events Roscommon Herald Shannonside FM

13/03/2026

Can't wait for this tomorrow night!

🎻☘️ Only ONE MORE DAY to go! ☘️🎻

The countdown is on! Join us tomorrow night for the Elphin CCÉ Sets Céilí — a fantastic night of music, dancing, and celebration right in the heart of Elphin!

We are delighted to welcome the current All-Ireland Champions, Glór na dtonn Céilí Band who will have the floor lively all night long. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just love great traditional music, this is a night not to be missed!

This special event is proudly supported by the Roscommon Creative Ireland Programme 2026 (Roscommon County Council) and is part of our St Patrick’s Festival celebrations and Seachtain na Gaeilge festivities in Elphin.

📍 Elphin Community Centre
🗓 Saturday 14 March
⏰ 9pm
🎟 €10

Bring your dancing shoes and your friends for a brilliant night of ceol, craic agus damhsa! 💃🕺

11/03/2026

Only 3 more sleeps!

Not to get everyone too excited BUT….

IT’S NEARLY SATURDAY!!!

You’ve seen the videos, you heard the reviews, now come see for yourself how awesome our Ceili will be on Saturday night!

Elite music from the current All Ireland Champions, the Glór na dtonn Céilí Band !

All ages and abilities welcome! Refreshments and Raffle on the night!

10/03/2026

We were delighted to present Farrah with her prize which was sponsored by Eclipse Cinemas Carrick-On-Shannon! Huge thank you to the children who entered and to the lovely Miss Hickey from Kiltrustan National School for getting the kids involved in our Dr John Stafford festivities!
We hope Farrah and her family enjoy the newly reopened cinema this coming Easter holiday!

Comhghairdeas mór do Farrah! Farrah won the Dr John Stafford Tradfest Schools colouring competition! Sincere "go raibh maith agaibh" to the organisers of this competition! 😊 🙏 🖍 Farrah received a Family Cinema Pass to Eclipse Cinema, Carrick on Shannon. Thank you for delivering this wonderful prize.

23/02/2026

A big congratulations to one of our lovely members Ruadhán Connelly who took 1st place in Button Accordion and Concertina at the Dr John Stafford Feis in Elphin today! Maith thú Ruadhán! 🎶🏆

23/02/2026

🎉🌈 And the Winner Is…! 🌈🎉

We are absolutely delighted to announce the winner of the Dr John Stafford Tradfest Schools Colouring Competition! 🖍️✨

Local schools from across the area were invited to take part in the contest and we were blown away by the creativity, colour, and imagination on display. Every single entry was a joy to see — our young artists truly outdid themselves! 👏🎨

🏆 Congratulations to our fantastic winner from 4th Class in Kiltrustan National School! 🏆

As a special prize, they will receive a Family Cinema Pass to Eclipse Cinema, Carrick-on-Shannon 🍿🎬 — perfect for a fun movie night with the family!

A huge thank you to all the schools, teachers, parents, and especially the talented children who took part. Your enthusiasm and creativity made this competition such a success.

🎨🍿

22/02/2026

It was a unanimous decision from us all here at the Tradfest that the inaugural Dr John Stafford Award “Guardian of the Living Tradition” be presented to the oracle of Irish Traditional Music, Paddy Ryan. So many of us owe our music knowledge and playing to Paddy, who is known all over the world and encouraged so many young people to get involved in their local comhaltas branches as well as playing music!

Comhghairdeachas le Paddy!

A local world-renowned musician and Shannonside Northern Sound presenter has been conferred with an award in honour of his contribution to Irish trad music.

22/02/2026

🎻✨ Final Day of the Dr John Stafford Tradfest! ✨🎶

What a weekend it’s been—and we’re not done yet! Join us as we wrap up this year’s festival with a full day of music, community, and celebration.

🕚 11am – Feis Competitions
The day kicks off at the Community College with our talented competitors taking to the stage. From lively reels to heartfelt airs, come along and support the next generation of traditional musicians. The standard is high, and the atmosphere is electric! Venue Entry Fee for Adults is €5.

🍻 Afternoon – Farewell Session at The Central Bar
After the competitions, we gather for one last big session. Expect tunes flowing freely, musicians swapping sets, and that unmistakable Tradfest buzz as friends old and new come together.

🎤 Night – Singing Session at the Tower Inn
The Tower will host their Singing Session in true traditional style! Ballads, stories, and songs to stir the heart!

Let’s make this final day one to remember. Bring your instruments, bring your voices, and most of all, bring the craic! 🎶💚