ATTEND the 21st Gathering Traditional Festival in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry, from 26 February to 1 March. The five-day festival attracts trad fans from all corners of the world. The concert line-up includes Donal Lunny, The Bonnerymen, Kevin Burke, Backwest and Jackie Daly. There will also be numerous music and dance workshops taking place. These workshops include advanced set dancing, fiddle workshops with Kevin Burke and accordion workshops with Derek Hickey. A festival pass costs €61.65 and includes entry to all concerts and céilís. Tickets to individual events are also available. For more information see www.inec.ie.

ENJOY a fantastic line-up of both Irish and international acts performing at Other Voices Ballina, Co Mayo, on 28 and 29 February. Acts include David Gray, Elbow, Soda Blonde, JC Stewart and many more. There are also a diverse range of genres on the Other Voices Music Trail like Alex Gough, The Mary Wallopers, Kynsy, Farah Elle and Graham Sweeney to name but a few rising stars. There will also be marine workshops and games for children and adults on 29 February. For more information see www.othervoices.ie.

EXPERIENCE the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival until 8 March. The festival showcases the best of homegrown and international cinema over two weeks every year. It will be jam packed with world premieres and galas, along with exhibitions, workshops and talks. There’s something for everyone including the kids. Workshops include a diversity panel on gender on screen and learning the craft of screenwriting. There will even be a surprise film screening in Cineworld on 1 March. See Les Misérables, Military Wives, The County and Heroic Losers, along with plenty of short films. For tickets and more information see www.diff.ie.

REMEMBER the Russell family, at the Russell Memorial Weekend in Doolin, Co Clare, from 27 February to 1 March. Originally the festival was a remembrance ceremony to Micho Russell, one of Ireland’s best known and loved traditional musicians, but in 2006 it was renamed in memory of the three Russell brothers and their two sisters. The festival hosts some of the best of traditional entertainment and attracts musicians from around the country. The highlight of the festival is the Saturday afternoon concert, which often includes surprise guest appearances. For more information see www.michorussellweekend.ie.

IMMERSE yourself in the Ortús Chamber Music Festival in Cork city and county from 28 February to 1 March. The festival was established in 2016 and brings together a range of Irish and international musicians who will perform from a selection of music from Mozart and Beethoven to a world premiere by Irish composer Sean Doherty. This festival will feature Irish musicians Mairead Hickey, Killian White, Séamus Hickey and Ellen Jansson. International musicians Stephen Waarts, Mate Bekavac, Georgy Kovalev and Ivan Karizna will also feature. The festival includes educational and outreach projects in schools and public spaces across the community. For more information see www.ortusfestival.ie.

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