Dermot Kennedy plans global Irish music festival

Dublin singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy has announced the launch of a brand new global Irish music festival, Misneach.

The 32-year-old is planning the annual celebration of Ireland’s musical heritage to coincide with the St Patrick’s Day, with the first edition set for March 2025.

Misneach, which means ‘Courage’ in Gaelic, will be held next March across two cities with strong Irish links: Sydney, Australia on 16 March and Boston, US on 18-19 March. The twin festivals promise to focus on Irish music through lineups curated by Kennedy in partnership with Ireland Music Week.

“For so many years now I have watched the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in so many different cities with a massive sense of pride,” says CAA-represented Kennedy. “I’ve always been so moved by the way Irish history and culture is celebrated all over the world. But I’ve also had the feeling that, for a country so rich in culture, I didn’t see it being represented fully in these events worldwide and I wondered, could we change that?

“With this inaugural year we hope to begin an annual tradition that will enrich the St Patrick’s day celebrations around the world with music and the arts, by showcasing some of the best new and established Irish musical talent, as well as musical talent of the Irish diaspora.

“I’ve been lucky enough to feel the love that the world has for Ireland and its music, and I’m so excited to be starting something very special”

“We will also be giving back to the communities in Ireland and the host cities. I’ve been lucky enough to feel the love that the world has for Ireland and its music, and I’m so excited to be starting something very special.”

Kennedy revealed the plans for the festival during an appearance yesterday (2 October) at Ireland Music Week in Dublin.

Featuring contemporary and traditional Irish artists, as well as participants from all over the world representing the Irish diaspora, the first edition of Misneach will see Kennedy and other major artists playing headline shows, as well as higlighting emerging local artists.

Kennedy has chosen the rising talent to be sponsored by Culture Ireland, in partnership with Ireland Music Week, with Big Love, Cliffords and Fynch selected to take part.

In Boston, a Misneach showcase at Brighton Music Hall will be held on 18 March before Kennedy headlines a multi-artist bill at the city’s TD Garden the following day. The Sydney edition will be a full outdoor festival on 16 March following the city’s official St Patrick’s Day parade. The full festival lineup will be announced shortly.

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