The Des Carty Sessions

An annual traditional and folk music festival held across South County Dublin each October.

Alternative Entertainments has been at the heart of a strong local traditional music scene since its inception, programming events to promote local musicians and expose them to wider influences. In the 80s and 90s the Tallaght Traditional Music Seminar served this function; since 2004 The Des Carty Sessions has continued the work, bringing the best Irish and world talent to the area and serving as an important focal point for traditional players and audiences in South Dublin County.

Celebrated musicians from around the world gather in venues in Tallaght, Rathcoole, Clondalkin, Saggart, Celbridge and Rathfarnham to play, teach, learn and discuss the country’s musical culture and its influences worldwide.

Over the years the festival has brought musicians such as Martin Carthy, Kim Rooney, Seán Keane, Tony MacMahon, Tommy Peoples, Steve Cooney, Kathleen Loughnane, Alec Finn, Charlie Piggott, Paddy Keenan, Maurice Lennon, Seán Potts, Johnny Moynihan, Brian Mullen, Kitty Hayes, Paddy Cronin, Jamsie Byrne and Barry Gleeson to the Dublin south-west region. Recent editions have featured Gerry Harrington, Charlie Piggott & Fintan Vallely in Celbridge Library, and Jimmy Kelly, Liam Kennedy & Ben Keogh in the Rathcoole Inn.