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nightlife · Saturday 8 August 2026 · 6:00pm 
The Big Session with Whistlin Donkeys at Breakwater
At Live at the Breakwater · Ferrybank, Wexford, Co. Wexford
At Live at the Breakwater · Ferrybank, Wexford, Co. Wexford
Saturday evening in August, a big top tent on the banks of the River Slaney, and three acts who between them cover every gear from trad session to dancefloor - that is the pitch for The Big Session at Live at the Breakwater. It is one night from a ten-night summer festival that has quickly become one of the most talked-about outdoor music events on the south-east calendar, and this particular bill is a strong one for anyone who wants live Irish music that moves through the evening rather than sitting still.
The night is built in three acts that build on each other deliberately. The Whistlin’ Donkeys open proceedings with their folk-rock anthems - a band that has built a devoted following across Ireland and further afield on the strength of tight harmonies, driving rhythms and the kind of singalong energy that gets a crowd on its feet early. Ruaile Buaile follow, blending traditional Irish music with country and pop influences in a way that keeps the trad feeling without ever getting precious about it. Mark McCabe closes out the night, shifting the whole room into full dancefloor mode with dance tracks that most of the crowd will know. The arc from trad session to late-night dance floor is the whole point, and the 3,000-capacity Big Top tent at Ferrybank is sized to let it breathe. All three acts share one stage, so the transitions feel like one continuous evening rather than a series of separate gigs.
Ferrybank sits just across the River Slaney from Wexford town centre, a short walk over the bridge from the main quay area. Wexford town is well served by both rail and bus. Irish Rail runs from Dublin Connolly via Bray, Gorey and Enniscorthy to Wexford (O’Hanrahan Station), with the station roughly an 18-minute walk from the Ferrybank venue. Bus Eireann routes from Dublin, Cork and Waterford stop at Redmond Square, also around 15-18 minutes on foot from the site. Wexford Bus runs 25 services a day from Dublin, a practical option if you are travelling from the capital. If driving, Ferrybank is signposted just off the N25 south of the town; parking availability near outdoor events varies, so arriving earlier in the evening is sensible.
Wexford town is compact and easy to walk - the old Viking street pattern survives in the narrow main street, and the quayside is lively on a summer evening. The county has some of the most consistent sunshine in Ireland, and there is a lot of coastline and countryside within easy reach if you are making a weekend of it. There is more to see in Wexford and across Co. Wexford.
Heading to Live at the Breakwater in Wexford? Wexford has plenty more to see. Read the Wexford area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.