IMDL are delighted to announce the full programme of events for this year’s Return to London Town Festival – Friday 28th to Monday 31st October 2022!
For this 24th edition of the festival a wonderfully impressive array of brilliant musicians and singers from Ireland, alongside a large number of London-based artists, will be involved in a fantastic weekend full of events celebrating traditional Irish music, song and dance.
With three major concerts, two set dancing céilís, one céilí for all, twenty instrumental/singing workshops and a huge programme of sessions (including the very popular tutor-led sessions), there is something for everyone and all the family. Two new innovations this year are céilí dancing and singing workshops specifically for children. IMDL are keen to make sure people of all ages come away with an ‘up close and personal experience’ of traditional Irish culture.
The festival will also be hosting a triple bill album launch on the Sunday evening, highlighting new releases from Wicklow concertina player Paddy Egan, Galway’s The Kane Sisters (celebrating the music of Paddy Fahey) and West Cork accordionist and singer Diarmuid Ó Meachair.
Most events will take place at The Crown Hotel in Cricklewood, others at Ashford Place and at local public houses in Cricklewood and Kilburn. Set dancing events will be held at Mazenod Social Club.
All Inclusive Weekend Ticket (Fri 28 – 31 October – 4 Concerts/ 3 Ceilis): £40
Friday 28 October 2022
Evening Concert: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (Doors 7.30pm, Tickets £20/ £6 U18s)
Jackie Daly and Matt Cranitch/ Sorcha Costello, Elaine Reilly, Catherine McHugh/ Bróna McVittie
The Crown Hotel (Cricklewood) and Colin Campbell (Kilburn) – FREE Sessions
Saturday 29 October 2022
Instrumental Workshops at various Cricklewood venues (11am-1pm, Tickets £10)
Fiddle: Sorcha Costello
Banjo: Elaine Reilly
Accordion: Dermot Byrne
Concertina: Alex Kelly
Flute: John Rynne
Whistle: Brogan McAuliffe
Harp: Máire Ní Chathasaigh
Uilleann Pipes: Rita Farrell
Accompaniment: Jim Murray
Programmed Music Sessions from 1pm until late: The Crown Hotel, plus other Cricklewood and Kilburn venues – FREE
Afternoon Children’s Céilí Dancing Workshop: Sala Room, The Crown Hotel (1.30-2.30pm, Tickets £5): Anne Drury
Afternoon Singing Workshop (2-4pm, Tickets £10): Bróna McVittie
Afternoon Concert: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (Doors 2pm, Tickets £10/ £6 U18s)
Diarmuid Ó Meachair, James Carty and Jonas Fromseier/ Tommy Fitzharris, Dónal McCague and John Blake/ In Good Company
Tutor Led Session: Sala Room, The Crown Hotel (3pm FREE) Sorcha Costello, Paddy Egan, Peter McAlinden
Set Dancing Céilí: Mazenod Social Club, Kilburn (4-7pm, Tickets £12)
Music by the Parish Céilí Band
Evening Concert: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (Doors 7.30pm, Ticket £20/ £6 U18s)
Dermot Byrne, Brid Harper, Jim Murray/ Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Chris Newman/ Liz and Yvonne Kane and John Blake
Sunday 30 October 2022
Instrumental Workshops at various Cricklewood venues (11am-1pm, Tickets £10)
Fiddle: Brid Harper
Banjo: Jonas Fromseier
Accordion: Diarmuid Ó Meachair
Concertina: Paddy Egan
Flute: Tommy Fitzharris
Whistle: Peter McAlinden
Accompaniment: John Blake
Programmed Music Sessions from 1pm until late: The Crown Hotel, plus other Cricklewood and Kilburn venues – FREE
Afternoon Children’s Singing Workshop: Venue tba (1.30-2.30pm, Tickets £5):
Set Dancing Céilí: Mazenod Social Club, Kilburn (2-5pm, Tickets £12)
Music by the Parish Céilí Band
Tutor Led Session: Sala Room, The Crown Hotel (3pm FREE): Tommy Fitzharris, Bríd Harper, Peter McAlinden
Acoustic Album Launch: Sala Room, The Crown Hotel (7pm FREE)
- Paddy Egan – ‘Tobar Gan Trá’
- The Kane Sisters – ‘In Memory of Paddy Fahey’
- Diarmuid Ó Meachair
(Sala Room, The Crown Hotel) – FREE ENTRY
Evening Céilí for All: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (8-10.30pm, Tickets £5)
Mc Cool Trad
Monday 31 October 2022
Afternoon Concert: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (Doors 2pm, Tickets £10/ £6 U18s)
Paddy Egan, Mick O’Connor, John Devine and Mick Bailey/ London Irish Pensioners Choir / Dermot Byrne and friends
Festival website: www.returntolondontown.org
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