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, reconciliation, 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. His vision has been instrumental in shaping Belfast TradFest into a platform that reflects both artistic excellence and cultural dialogue.