Carlow Live and Local Music Festival 2026

Carlow Live and Local is a month-long music festival run every September by Carlow County Council in partnership with Carlow Tourism. It was set up to put a spotlight on local musicians and artists from across the county, and it has grown into one of the more distinctive regional music festivals in the south-east - not because of big commercial names, but because of the range. A single September programme might move from jazz to Afro-fusion to fingerstyle guitar to folk, all within the same weekend. If you want to hear music in an intimate room where the audience actually listens, this is the kind of event that suits you.

What to expect

The festival runs across the whole month of September, with events concentrated at weekends. VISUAL Carlow on Old Dublin Road is the main hub and booking point - its George Bernard Shaw Theatre seats 335 people and has a proper acoustic setup for live performance. But the festival is deliberately distributed, with other Carlow Town venues taking part and, in past years, a Mobile Music Machine bringing live concerts out to care homes across the county.

The programme has featured a wide range across genres. Past editions have included Jack L, Jerry Fish, Orla Fallon of Celtic Woman, guitarist Shane Hennessy, the Carole Nelson Jazz Trio, and local acts from folk to alternative rock to electronic production. Events are ticketed but free - previous years have limited tickets to 50 per show, with booking opening in mid-August through the festival website or by calling VISUAL directly. The intimacy of the shows is part of the appeal: this is not a field festival with a muddy queue for the bar.

Specific 2026 dates, venues, and artists are confirmed closer to the event. Check the Carlow Live and Local Facebook page or Carlow Tourism for the full September schedule before you travel.

Getting there

Carlow Town is about 80km south of Dublin on the M9 motorway - roughly an hour by car from the capital. Bus Eireann runs regular services on the Dublin - Waterford route stopping in Carlow, and there is a direct train from Dublin Heuston (just under 90 minutes). For events at VISUAL, the venue is on Old Dublin Road, a short walk or taxi from the town centre. Street parking is available nearby, and there is a public car park on Potato Market a few minutes on foot.

While you’re in Carlow

Carlow Town sits on the River Barrow, with the ruins of a 13th-century castle on the riverbank and a compact town centre that repays a wander. Borris, Leighlinbridge, and the Barrow towpath are all within easy reach if you want to stretch the trip into a weekend. There is more to see in Carlow and across Co. Carlow.

Good to know

• Runs throughout September 2026; events typically on weekends
• Tickets free to book; previous years limited to 50 per event, 2 per booking
• Booking opens mid-August - check Carlow Live and Local on Facebook or Carlow Tourism for the 2026 programme
• Main venue: VISUAL Carlow, Old Dublin Road, Carlow Town; box office 059 917 2400
• Some events at additional venues across Carlow Town - check individual listings