The History of the Festival
Irish Festival Tampere - The Spring Gathering 2024
The theme for year 2024 was session playing. To that end, the Session Trail debuted with 13 events. The festival offered also a wide selection of master classes. The main concerts were held at Yo-talo, Tampere Old Church, G Livelab and TTT Club.
The artists and session hosts:
Aaron O’Hagan
Brendan Mulholland
Bunú
Dáithí Ó’Braoináin
Edel Vaughan
Eimear Coughlan
Eugene Chernov
Francis Cunningham
Jari Sirniö
Keith O’Híobháird
Luke Ward
Mark Hennessey
Markus Asunta
Mustarastas
Raphaël Pinel
Sakke Seppälä
Saku Lahti
Tempest
The Pink House Trio
Trio Croisin
Trio Salamankka
Producer: Niilo Sirola
Artistic Director: Helena Rängman
Irish Festival Tampere - The Spring Gathering 2023
The theme of the 2023 festival was Irish dance, and the festival e.g. premiered an Irish dance show “Lähtö” on the Hällä stage. Other festival venues included G Livelab, TTT-klubi, Tampereen ylioppilasteatteri ja Telakka.
Artists:
Aodán Coyne
Brách
Eala
Edel Vaughan
Eimear Coughlan
Eugene Chernov
Francis Cunningham
Fuarán Irish Dancers
InSpiral Dance Company Finland
Laura Merisaari
Maija Koskenalusta
Mark Hennessey
Marko Keskitalo
Maxima Irish Dance Studio
Nelli Sinisalo
Noora Karjalainen
Pellava
Petra Karjalainen
Sami Rantasalo
Salla Rimmi Niilo Sirola
Tara Howley
Testostenorit
The Pink House
Producer: Minna Aurivuo
Artistic director: Maija Koskenalusta
Irish Festival - The Spring Gathering 2022
For the first time, the festival was held in Tampere. There still was a concert in Kangasala Hall, and other venues included TTT-klubi, The Tampere Old Church and Cultural Center Laikku.
Artists:
Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín
Eala
Jari Sirniö
Laura Merisaari
Maija Koskenalusta
Noora Karjalainen
Pellava
Salla Rimmi Niilo Sirola
Seán O’Meara
Testostenorit
The Pink House
Thomas Johnston
Producer: Minna Aurivuo
Artistic Directors: Maija Koskenalusta Noora Karjalainen
Kangasala Irish Festival - The Spring Gathering 2021 (online)
The pandimic situation still did not allow for conventional festivals, so instead the festival took the form of a three-hour live stream, hosted live by Helena Rängman from the empty concert hall of Kangasala Hall.
Artists:
Eala
Frank Boyle
Helena Rängman
MegaTrad
Salla Rimmi Niilo Sirola
Trio Salamankka
The stream is still available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/IrishFestGathering/videos/4036923006365216/
Kangasala Irish Festival - The Spring Gathering 2020 (cancelled)
The 2020 festival had to be cancelled with short notice due to the Covid pandemic.
Kangasala Irish Festival - The Spring Gathering 2019
Artists:
Cillian O’Dalaigh
Eala
Kirsten Allstaff
Maija Koskenalusta
Mick McCabe
Noora Karjalainen
Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain
Ruairi McCabe
Testostenorit
Thomas Johnston
Tola Custy
Artistic directors: Maija Koskenalusta & Noora Karjalainen
Kangasala Irish Festival - The Spring Gathering 2018
Artists:
Caitlín Nic Gabhann
Ciarán Ó Maonaigh
Cillian O’Dalaigh
Eala
Kirsten Allstaff
Maija Koskenalusta
Mick McCabe
Noora Karjalainen
Thomas Johnston
Artistic directors: Maija Koskenalusta & Noora Karjalainen
