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theatre · Monday 13 July 2026 · See website for times 
Irish Aerial Dance Festival 2026
At Letterkenny and Rathmullan, County Donegal · Letterkenny and Rathmullan, County Donegal, Co. Donegal
At Letterkenny and Rathmullan, County Donegal · Letterkenny and Rathmullan, County Donegal, Co. Donegal
Two weeks of aerial circus training in Donegal, the Irish Aerial Dance Festival (IADF) is one of the most distinctive summer events in Ireland. Now in its 17th year, it draws participants from across the world to learn, train, and perform alongside some of the best aerial circus instructors on the international circuit. This is not a spectator event at heart - it is a hands-on training festival where you leave having done things you would not have thought possible on day one. It suits complete beginners who want a taster session, intermediate practitioners looking to push their technique, and experienced performers seeking intensive training over the full two weeks.
The festival runs from 13 to 26 July 2026, centred on Letterkenny with additional shows at An Grianán Theatre. Classes take place primarily at the Aura Leisure Centre, with Cyr wheel sessions at St Eunan’s GAA Hall nearby. There are 15 aerial disciplines on offer across the fortnight - trapeze, aerial hoop, aerial fabric, rope, vertical dance, dance bungee, acro, straps, Cyr wheel, cocoon/sling, counterweight, spiral, and more. Over 45 classes run across the two weeks, and there are one-day taster options for anyone who just wants to have a go at something like trapeze or cloudswing without committing to a longer programme. Evening shows at An Grianán Theatre bring the training together in performance, and the festival closes with a party that has become something of a tradition in its own right. There is also a curated aerial film festival running alongside the main programme. The whole event is presented by Fidget Feet, Ireland’s foremost aerial dance theatre company, in collaboration with Donegal County Council, An Grianán Theatre, Earagail Arts Festival, and RAMP (Rathmullan Music Project).
Letterkenny is the main town of County Donegal and sits roughly 2.5 hours north of Dublin by car on the M1 and N13. From Derry it is about 40 minutes on the N13. Bus Éireann operates services to Letterkenny from Dublin and Derry; the town has a central bus terminus a short walk from the main street. Parking in Letterkenny is widely available around the town centre and near the Aura Leisure Centre.
Letterkenny itself sits on the River Swilly with the hills of Donegal rising behind it, and the county beyond it is spectacularly open - Glenveagh National Park, the Slieve League cliffs, and the Fanad Peninsula are all within reach. There is more to see in Donegal and across Co. Donegal.
Heading to Letterkenny and Rathmullan, County Donegal in Donegal? Donegal has plenty more to see. Read the Donegal area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.