A laid-back ensemble piece elevated by fine, naturalistic performances, there’s plenty to enjoy in Lance Daly’s Trad. The film follows Donegal teenager Shóna (Megan Nic Fhionnghaile), a determined, medal-winning fiddle player. Leaving the Gaeltacht behind her, she takes to the road with her little brother Mickey (Dallán Woods) and a troupe of musicians, embarking on a cross-country adventure.
Trad won the Audience Award at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh. There are many standout performances, notably Megan herself. She captures the many moods of the rebellious Shóna and spits contempt for her mother’s (Sarah Greene) constant drum-beating of all things Trad. The camera watches closely but doesn’t intrude as Shóna evolves from an irritable teenager into a determined and confident woman. Cathal Coade Palmer plays Ray, the shy, guitar-playing, ill-at-ease, unrequited love interest. Sometimes aloof, philosophical and annoyingly distant, he’s always lovable. The cinematic chemistry between Megan and Cathal is a joy to observe.
Sarah Greene (The Guard, Vikings) is the ‘Trad Mother from Hell’, portraying her with teeth-grinding accuracy. As a super-competitive traditional music lover, she annoys the hell out of the whole family and is the main reason Shóna impetuously joins the van-travelling troupe/menagerie of (mostly) idealistic musicians. The group is seeking to form a new, exciting musical clan. Their repertoire will draw on the traditional but be vibrant and new. Into this melee, she drags along her exasperated younger brother, played in a cheeky fashion by Dallán.
As their leader/driver, Aidan Gillen’s Harky is a bit of a mystery. He is a half-baked guru, clad entirely in white, including a white pilot hat, who has cash and a stash of non sequiturs. These are typically pearls of clichéd, garbled wisdom which he doles out sporadically. Two other white-clad characters appear in the background but we never get to learn much about them. A Robert Altman touch?
Peter Coonan (Love/Hate) exudes pride as the cuddly, jig-dancing, voice-of-reason Daddy. The casting is spot on. Each fits perfectly into this hippy-esque coming-of-age ‘how I had my best youthful summer ever’ story. And yes, Megan does actually play the fiddle. Just like her character, she is a highly accomplished traditional musician from Co. Donegal, a previous Ulster senior fiddle champion who has Riverdance experience.
Daly’s direction takes the viewer real close to the emotional action. Anger, remorse, rebellion, friction and the thrill of live music are all captured. There is a feeling of fragility that the director weaves into the storytelling. Trad even captures the wonderful feeling of being part of a real seisiún with ease. Many films have tried to create the authentic atmosphere of an impromptu Irish musical pub ‘happening’. However, this film nails it.
Definitely belonging on your ‘to-see’ bucket list, Trad is the perfect option if you simply want to ‘kick back’ with a good, solid movie.
In cinemas 8th May 2026.
