Dónal O’Connor
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Dónal O’Connor is a celebrated musician, producer, director, and cultural leader, internationally recognised for his contribution to Irish traditional music and his work at the intersection of culture, broadcast, and community building. Born into a distinguished musical family, Dónal has built a distinctive career spanning performance, production, broadcasting, and education, championing the living tradition of Irish music at home and abroad.
As a founder and Artistic Director of Belfast TradFest, Dónal has been the driving force in positioning Belfast as a vibrant hub for traditional music. Under his artistic leadership, the festival and its flagship Summer School have become inclusive spaces where people from all backgrounds—across community, political, and cultural divides—come together to learn, share, and celebrate music. Inspired by a vision of art as a catalyst for reconciliation, he has cultivated Belfast TradFest as a vibrant meeting ground where artistic excellence sparks authentic cultural dialogue.
Alongside his festival work, Dónal is a managing partner of Táin Media and RedBox Recording Studios, and an RTS-nominated, multiple IFTA award-winning music and television producer/director. He has produced and directed an extensive body of broadcast work for Irish and international audiences and broadcasters such as BBC Alba, TG4 & RTÉ, including Gael Linn ag 70, Dennis Cahill – Litir ó do Chara, Ómós Michael D @80, ‘Sé mo Laoch, Fleadh TV, Róisín ReImagined, Sruth, RnaG 50 and TG4XX. His work has profiled many of Ireland’s most iconic cultural figures, from Seán Ó Riada, Matt Molloy of The Chieftains, to Altan’s Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Arty McGlynn, Frankie Gavin of Dé Dannan, and The Bothy Band’s Paddy Keenan.
Beyond performance and production, Dónal’s career embodies a deep commitment to cultural diplomacy and peacebuilding. He is a passionate advocate for using the arts as a means of fostering mutual understanding and reconciliation, particularly in post-conflict contexts. His leadership demonstrates how traditional music can act as a bridge across divisions, highlighting shared traditions and collective creativity.
Dónal was invited to serve on the inaugural RTÉ Folk Awards Steering Panel and is regularly sought out by traditional music organisations, broadcasters, and educational institutions for his expertise and strategic insight. Whether performing on international stages, producing award-winning cultural broadcasts, or mentoring the next generation of artists, Dónal continues to inspire through his artistry, leadership, and vision for a more inclusive cultural future.