Programme

The 28th edition of the Festival takes place on 17-20 November 2022.

Click on highlighted links for more information and bookings.

Please note that physical tickets will not be issued – anyone who books in advance will be on a list at the door of their event(s). 

Thursday 17th

6pm: Festival launch: a reception at the Primate’s Palace, Armagh, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Councillor Paul Greenwood.

7.30pm: Welcome Concert: Áras na bPíobairí, 43 Scotch Street: Trio Lampetròn; Orquestra de Foles; Alana MacInnes; Joey Abarta; Fin Moore. £10 – limited capacity so advance booking recommended.

9.30pm: Session, Red Ned’s, Ogle Street: Joey Abarta; Alana MacInnes; Fin Moore; Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn.

Friday 18th

10am: Schools Concert 1, Market Place Theatre. 

11.30am: Schools Concert 2, Market Place Theatre. 

1pm-6pm: Mark Donnelly Academy Pipe Maintenance WorkshopÁras na bPíobairí, 43 Scotch Street. For Academy students, by appointment only. With Éamonn Curran. Academy fee of £75 includes entrance to public concerts.

2pm: Session, Red Ned’s, Ogle Street: “inB”; Alana MacInnes.

3.30pm: Session, The Hole in the Wall, Market Street: Joey Abarta; Paddi Benson, Grace Lemon & James Patrick Gavin.

6pm: The William Kennedy Lecture: Áras na bPíobairí, 43 Scotch Street. “Uilleann Pipes in a Western Art-Music Tradition”, Neil Martin, composer and musician from Belfast. Free.

6pm: SessionRed Ned’s, Ogle Street: Aaron O’Hagan; Daniele Biego; Rory Campbell; Anxo Lorenzo.

7.30pm: Friday Evening ConcertArmagh First Presbyterian Church, The Mall. “inB” featuring Brìghde Chaimbeul, Louise Mulcahy, Fin Moore & Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn; Trio Lampetròn; Jarlath Henderson£10

Saturday 19th

9.30am: Mark Donnelly Piping Academy Workshop 1, Armagh City Hotel. Tutors: Aaron O’Hagan, Louise Mulcahy, Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn, Grace Lemon, Paddi BensonAcademy fee of £75 includes entrance to public concerts.

10am: Uilleann Pipes Workshop (intermediate/advanced) with Joey Abarta: Áras na bPíobairí, 43 Scotch Street. £10.

10.30am-12.30pm: Junior Session, Áras na bPíobairí, 43 Scotch Street. Open to Armagh Pipers Club students Levels 1 & 2, and visiting beginner musicians. Pipers Club tutors and Festival musicians will take part. Voluntary donation.

11.30am: Mark Donnelly Piping Academy “Pipers and their Pipes”, Armagh City Hotel: Declan Masterson in conversation with Brian Vallely.

12 noon: Session, The Hole in the Wall, Market Street: Alana MacInnes; Niamh Dunne, Bríd Dunne & Seán Óg Graham.

1pm: Lunchtime Concert, Market Place Studio Theatre. Cillian Vallely & the Fidelio Trio. £10 

1.30-3.30pm: Student SessionÁras na bPíobairí, 43 Scotch Street. Open to Armagh Pipers Club students Levels 3 & 4, and visiting intermediate/advanced musicians. Pipers Club tutors and Festival musicians will take part. Voluntary donation.

1.30pm: SessionRed Ned’s, Ogle Street: Rory Campbell; Fin Moore; Trio Lampetròn.

1.30pm: Mark Donnelly Piping Academy Workshop 2, Armagh City Hotel. Tutors: Paddi Benson, Grace Lemon, Declan Masterson, Joey Abarta, Jarlath Henderson.

2pm: Come and Try Uilleann Pipes – a chance for beginners to get to grips with this beautiful instrument: Áras na bPíobairí, 43 Scotch Street. Éamonn Curran, piper and pipemaker. Free.

3pm: opening by Neil Martin of an exhibition of new works by Lorcan Vallely: Áras na bPíobairí, 43 Scotch Street. Music and refreshments provided. The exhibition continues throughout November.  

4pm: Afternoon Concert: Armagh Robinson Library, Vicar’s Hill. Declan Masterson; Rory Campbell; Joey Abarta; Alana MacInnes. £10 – very limited capacity so advance booking essential.

4pm: Mark Donnelly Academy Pipe Maintenance WorkshopÁras na bPíobairí, 43 Scotch Street. For Academy students, by appointment only. With Éamonn Curran.

4.30pm onwards: Singing SessionÁras na bPíobairí, 43 Scotch Street. Open to Armagh Pipers Club and visiting singers. Pipers Club tutors and Festival musicians will take part. Voluntary donation.

5pm: Session, The Hole in the Wall, Market Street: Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn; Declan Masterson.

6pm: SessionRed Ned’s, Ogle Street: Jarlath HendersonAnxo Lorenzo; Brìghde Chaimbeul.

7.30pm: Saturday Evening ConcertArmagh First Presbyterian Church, The Mall. Orquestra de Foles; Paddi Benson, Grace Lemon & James Patrick Gavin; Mickey, Niamh & Bríd Dunne with Seán Óg Graham; Aaron O’Hagan & Luke Ward. £10

Sunday 20th

9.30am: Mark Donnelly Piping Academy Workshop 3, Armagh City Hotel. Tutors: Paddi Benson, Grace Lemon, Jarlath Henderson, Mickey Dunne, Éamonn Curran.

12.30pm: Mark Donnelly Piping Academy Workshop 4, Armagh City Hotel. Tutors: Declan Masterson, Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn, Aaron O’Hagan, Joey Abarta, Mickey Dunne.

2.30pm: Farewell ConcertArmagh City Hotel. Various guests and Armagh Pipers Club. £10

5pm: SessionRed Ned’s, Ogle Street, for anyone still standing!

FESTIVAL PASS – all six public Concerts for £40 – saving £20

A full refund will be provided to anyone unable to attend because they have Covid symptoms or are isolating.