Good Folk Festival: five nights of free music to Canton's
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Amy Michelle.Image 2 of 8
Beat Club.Image 3 of 8
Heron Red.Image 4 of 8
MegaTrad.Image 5 of 8
Mik Pyro. Copyright Miguel Ruiz. Photo by Miguel RuizImage 6 of 8
Nahan Johnson.Image 7 of 8
Niamh Bury. Photo: Tom Honan Photo by Tom HonanImage 8 of 8
The Wran. Photo by celeste burdonThe Good Folk Festival returns to Canton Casey’s in Mullingar for its third year this June bank holiday weekend, bringing five nights of free live music. What began as a grassroots idea is steadily becoming a fixture on the Irish folk and trad circuit, showcasing emerging talent alongside established names in an intimate setting.
Founded by local musician Ben Mulligan, the festival aims to spotlight some of Ireland’s most exciting contemporary folk and traditional acts. Last year’s run saw full houses every night, reinforcing its growing reputation as a key stop for touring musicians and audiences seeking close-up live performances.
This year’s programme features artists from Dublin, Wexford, Clare and Galway, as well as a strong local presence, with two acts performing each night across five nights.
The festival opens on Wednesday with Dublin singer-songwriter Harry Fennell, known for emotionally rich contemporary folk infused with dark humour. He is followed by Mullingar’s own Amy Michelle, whose ethereal sound has drawn comparisons to The Cure and Lorde. Her growing profile includes appearances at Electric Picnic and Latitude, as well as supporting Niall Horan at the 3Arena.
Thursday features Mullingar musician Nathan Johnson, whose blend of soul, pop and acoustic folk has taken him across Europe with Sion Hill and The Angels of Libra. The headline act is Dublin artist Niamh Bury, a rising folk voice praised by Hotpress for her soul-stirring vocals and inventive interpretations of traditional material. She has collaborated with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and shared stages with Ye Vagabonds, Dermot Kennedy and Martin Hayes.
Friday brings an experimental double bill as Beat Club, a Mullingar improvisational collective, perform upstairs, while Mega Trad deliver a high-energy fusion of traditional Irish music with electronic and psychedelic influences downstairs.
Saturday opens with Dublin duo Heron Red, followed by the return of Mik Pyro, former frontman of Republic of Loose, whose solo work has been widely acclaimed, including his 2023 album Exit Pyro.
The festival closes Sunday with Jody Kennedy and headline act The Wran, the Waterford-based brothers known for their explosive trad-fusion sound and major festival appearances including Glastonbury and Electric Picnic.
All shows are free, starting at 9pm, except Beat Club at 8pm on Friday.