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festivals · Tuesday 14 July 2026 · Various 
Fiddler's Green International Festival
At Various venues in Rostrevor · Rostrevor, Co. Down
At Various venues in Rostrevor · Rostrevor, Co. Down
Fiddler’s Green International Festival has been drawing musicians and music lovers to the village of Rostrevor every July since 1987. Now in its 38th year, it ranks among the longest-running folk festivals on the island of Ireland - a week of concerts, sessions, hill walks, and cultural events spread across the village. If you love traditional music, or simply want to be somewhere that feels genuinely alive with it for a few days, this is a reliable destination.
The festival runs across several venues throughout Rostrevor from 14 to 19 July. The Festival Folk Club takes over St. Bronagh’s Social Club each evening, hosting a line-up of international and Irish artists. The 2026 edition features Lúnasa, Luka Bloom, Eleanor McEvoy, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Daoirí Farrell, and The Sands Family, who close out the Sunday night. During the afternoons, the Acoustic Stage at An Cuan showcases a mix of emerging local performers and established names in a more informal setting.
Beyond the concerts, there is a walking festival with trails for different fitness levels, art and photographic exhibitions - including a free show from the Rostrevor Art Group - and a children’s festival with family events at no cost. Ticketed headline concerts sit alongside a good number of free pub sessions and open events, so it is possible to get a real feel for the week without spending much.
Rostrevor sits at the southern end of Carlingford Lough, on the A2 coastal road between Newry and Kilkeel. From Dublin, take the M1 north to Newry (roughly 90 minutes), then follow the A2 south-west through Warrenpoint into the village - about 15 minutes from Newry town centre. From Belfast, the same A2 via Newry takes around 80 minutes.
There is no direct rail connection. Translink buses serve Newry, from where a local taxi covers the remaining 10 km. During festival week, village parking fills quickly in the evenings; arriving early or parking on the outskirts and walking in is the sensible approach.
The village itself is worth time outside festival hours - Kilbroney Park at its edge offers forest walks and mountain views, and the shoreline of Carlingford Lough is a short stroll from the square. There is more to see in Rostrevor and across Co. Down.
Heading to Various venues in Rostrevor in Rostrevor? Down has plenty more to see. Read the Rostrevor area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.