The Baltimore Irish Trad Fest Plays Two Nights of Real Irish Music

Baltimore's quieter but fiercer Irish music tradition takes the stage tonight. The Baltimore Irish Trad Fest runs April 10 and 11 with two nights of traditional Irish music by some of the most respected players on either side of the Atlantic. Friday's bill features legendary flutist Matt Molloy (The Chieftains) and fiddler John Carty. Saturday brings Seán Gavin and Caoimhín Ó Fearghail, whose recent Nashville Folk Alliance sets drew packed rooms.

The festival has been quietly building a reputation as one of the best small Irish music events on the East Coast — the kind of gathering where players from Galway and Dublin show up and the audience includes both serious traditional-music listeners and locals who wandered in for the craic. The venue hosts workshops during the day and full concerts each night.

If you're going: tickets move quickly for Irish trad fans — check local listings. The festival also runs informal sessions at nearby bars after each concert, which is where the real memorable moments of Irish music festivals tend to happen.

Sources: Baltimore Magazine April events, Baltimore Fishbowl