Fundraiser for Keady's Tommy Makem Festival

ORGANISERS of the Tommy Makem Festival in Keady have launched a fundraiser in a bid to support this year’s event.

A very successful inaugural event was held last year and now organisers want to ‘safeguard a cultural heartbeat’.

Tommy Makem, the ‘Bard of Armagh’, didn’t just sing songs - he brought Irish heritage to the global stage, influencing everyone from Bob Dylan to the millions who saw him on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Organisers outlined how donations to the fundraiser could help in a variety of ways.

These included what they termed ‘Preserving a Living Legacy’.

They said, “Tommy Makem spent his life ensuring that the ‘purest form of art’- folk music - didn't fade away.

“By donating, you are helping to:

“Keep the ‘Bard’s’ voice alive in the very town where he first lifted it: Keady, Co. Armagh.

“Ensure the next generation knows the stories, myths, and melodies that define their identity.

“Turn the spark of tradition into a flame by providing a world-class stage for the voices of tomorrow.”

They said donations would help fuel community revitalisation, “Following the success of the inaugural festival in November 2025, the community is determined to make this an annual cornerstone of the region. Your contribution helps:

“Boost the local economy by bringing visitors to Keady’s pubs, shops, and historic sites.

“Foster reconciliation through music, a "benefit of the peace process" that unites people across different traditions.

“Fund free community events, such as walking tours of historic Keady and public sessions, making culture accessible to everyone regardless of
their income.

They also highlighted bringing ‘High-Quality Artistry for All’.

Organising a multi-day festival with world-class talent - like the Daoirí Farrell Trio or the Conor Mallon Band - requires significant resources. Donations help cover: Artist fees for both international headliners and local folk groups; Production costs for film screenings, sound engineering, and venue hire and logistics; Operational stability, allowing the committee to focus on growth and ‘more music, more voices, and more memories’.

“This festival was born out of love - love for Tommy, for the songs he carried, and for the community that shaped him. Folk music lives through people coming together,” concluded Paul Hughes, Festival Chairperson.