Duke Special / Leo O'Kelly at The Purty Kitchen

Two of Ireland’s most distinctive singer-songwriters share the stage at The Purty Kitchen for an intimate Thursday night in Dún Laoghaire. Duke Special - Peter Wilson from Belfast, a piano-driven storyteller with 17 albums behind him - plays alongside Leo O’Kelly, co-founder of the legendary prog-folk duo Tír na nÓg. This is part of Dún Laoghaire Summerfest 2026, which makes it a proper occasion rather than a standard pub gig. If you like music with real craft and personality, this is a rare pairing worth making the trip for.

What to expect

Duke Special has built a devoted following on both sides of the Irish Sea with his theatrical, emotionally warm performances. He works solo, as a duo, or with full orchestral arrangements depending on the night, and his sets rarely follow a predictable path. Expect piano-led songs that shift between gentle and rousing, delivered with a performer’s instinct for a room.

Leo O’Kelly brings a very different energy - Tír na nÓg are widely regarded as one of the founding acts of the progressive folk genre, drawing comparisons to Nick Drake and Pentangle. The duo formed in Dublin in 1969, made three critically acclaimed albums between 1971 and 1973, and split in 1974. O’Kelly has continued performing and recording as a solo artist in the decades since. Expect intricate acoustic guitar work and songs that reward close listening.

The venue - The Purty Kitchen’s upstairs Loft - is well suited to this kind of night. It is a proper dedicated music room with good sightlines and sound, the sort of space where artists and audience are close enough that you hear every note properly.

Tickets are limited and early booking is advised.

Getting there

The Purty Kitchen is at 3-5 Old Dunleary Road, Dún Laoghaire, a five-minute walk from Dún Laoghaire DART station. The DART from Pearse or Tara Street takes roughly 25-30 minutes and runs late enough for an evening gig. By car, Dún Laoghaire is about 12km south of the city centre on the N11/R118; parking on the seafront and nearby side streets is generally available in the evening.

While you’re in Dún Laoghaire

The town has a proper seafront to stretch your legs along before the show, with the East and West Piers, the National Maritime Museum, and a strong run of pubs and restaurants within easy reach of The Purty Kitchen. There is more to see in Dún Laoghaire and across Co. Dublin.

Good to know

• Thursday 9 July 2026, doors 8pm (show runs until approximately 11pm)
• Tickets from €27.79 - book in advance, limited availability
• Book via Eventbrite (search “Duke Special Purty Kitchen”)
• No refunds on tickets
• The Purty Kitchen, 3-5 Old Dunleary Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin