Concerts are the beating heart of the Festival weekend. In a packed Catholic Hall — with a licensed bar serving the finest local fayre from 5 Kingdoms Brewery — the very best in traditional music & song takes the stage. If you’ve been coming to Girvan for years but never ventured into one of the official concerts, you’re missing out on the musical magic!
The Milestone Concert
Friday 1st May – 7:30pm
The Catholic Hall
We’re delighted to welcome fine singer and harp player Maggie MacInnes to beautiful South Carrick and the Catholic Hall to kick off our 51st Girvan Festival!!
Maggie will be bringing with her a 5-piece band – including her son Calum on guitar and daughter-in-law Robyn on fiddle – to explore songs collected from her own mother, legendary Barra tradition bearer Flora MacNeil.
Legendary Ulster singer Len Graham will open the show and we break up the singing with a set of tunes from two fine pipers Ollie Rigg & Wattie Lees who will be joined by top fiddler Claire Mann.
£17 / £14
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The Bobby Robb Memorial Concert
Saturday 2nd May – 2:30pm
The Catholic Hall
Our annual celebration of the life of Festival founder, Bobby Robb will be a showcase of the best in traditional singing with a focus on unaccompanied singing.
We’ll have contributions from Len Graham, A Wheen o Wimmin, Pauline Cordiner, Alan Reid, and a few surprise guests.
£8 / £5
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The Merlin Boys with Davie Hunter & friends
Saturday 2nd May – 2:30pm
The Westcliffe Hotel
The Merlin Boys – brothers Rafael, Gabriel and Django, give us an afternoon of the songs and tunes that have captivated audiences across Scotland. Also taking to the stage is well-known local musician Davie Hunter who will be accompanying talented pupils from Sacred Heart and Girvan Primary School performing a selection of folk favourites.
This concert is in aid of The Girvan and South Carrick Community Action Network (CAN) a volunteer-led charity providing essential transport for patients travelling to hospital appointments (please note: Weekend ticket holders are kindly requested to also make a donation to this worthy cause!).
£5
tickets on the door
The Kist o Riches
Saturday 2nd May – 7:30pm
The Catholic Hall
Universally renowned multi-instrumentalist Tim Edey has toured and recorded with a dizzying who’s who of traditional music – The Chieftains, Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Julie Fowlis, Capercaillie, old friends of Girvan Festival Altan and many, many more! We’re delighted to welcome Tim for his first trip to Girvan in a show that will also feature a round of songs from band of legendary tradition bearers, A Wheen o Wimmin and finely arranged folk song from Janice Burns & Jon Doran. Opening the show will be a very special floor spot from award-winning Scots singer Robyn Stapleton.
£20 / £16
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Born in Kyle
Sunday 3rd May – 14:30pm
The Catholic Hall
Renowned broadcaster and writer Billy Kay will read from his 2023 memoir Born in Kyle: A Love Letter tae an Ayrshire Childhood sharing stories of language, history, folklore and literature from his beloved Irvine Valley. He’ll be joined by Robyn Stapleton, who will bring to life the songs that Billy recalls and associates with his formative years.
Not to be missed!
£5
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The Farewell Concert
Sunday 3rd May – 7:30pm
The Catholic Hall
The farewell concert will feature a rare duo performance from two of Ireland’s most influential trad musicians, Mick O’Brien & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh – powerful and expressive dialogue between pipes and fiddle and whistles. We’ll also have a shipful of sea songs from old friends of the Festival, Morgan’s Men and fine Scots songs from Alan Reid & Christine Kydd.
£20 / £16
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Seilach Fire Show
Sunday 4th May – 10:30pm
Girvan Shalloch Shorefront, Louisa Drive – in front of the Westcliffe Hotel
On Sunday night after the evening concert there’ll be a bagpipe parade to Girvan Shore where our spectacular fire show, a collaboration between local artist David Powell and CRAG Community Arts . There might even be some music and dance!