The rural County Armagh town of Keady has come alive this November as it proudly plays host to the innaugural Tommy Makem Folk Festival.
The six-day celebration has featured music sessions, concerts, a film screening, walking tours and an expert talk on Tommy, all taking place from November 4 to 9, 2025.
Honouring the life and legacy of Tommy Makem — “The Bard of Armagh” — the festival has transformed the town where Tommy first lifted his voice into a vibrant stage of music, memory and community spirit.
The festival promises to capture the soul of Irish tradition that Tommy Makem carried to the world.
Festival highlights include a headline concert by the acclaimed Daoirí Farrell Trio, supported by the Rollicking Ramblers. The electrifying Conor Mallon Band is joined by the Oriel Traditional Orchestra.
There will also be a special Tommy Makem film screening and Q&A with Northern Ireland Screen.
Traditional sessions and Folk Groups will fill venues across the town, including the Cooper Bar, Arthur’s, Ollie Mones and the Rock Bar — keeping the tunes rolling long into the night.
Visitors can also explore ‘The Talk of Tommy’, delivered by Dr. Frank Ferguson celebrating Tommy’s place in Irish song.
Festival goers may also take part in walking tours of historic Keady, discovering the stories behind the streets and songs that shaped the local landscape.
A cornerstone of the festival’s community focus is the School Workshops Project, delivered in partnership with the John Hewitt Society.
Local pupils will explore creative writing and songwriting inspired by Makem’s themes of time, place and tradition — ensuring that the next generation continues to give voice to local heritage.
Festival Chairman Paul Hughes said: “This festival was born out of love — love for Tommy, for the songs he carried, and for the community that shaped him. Folk music lives through people coming together, and that’s exactly what we’re celebrating here in Keady.”
Now marking the tenth anniversary of the Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre, this year’s festival stands as both a tribute and a promise — that the music, humour and humanity of one of Ireland’s great cultural ambassadors will continue to inspire for generations to come.
For full programme details and ticket information, visit Programme: https://online.fliphtml5.com/TommyMakemFestival/tdin/
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/114138559001
