Dún Laoghaire Folk Fest 2026

What to Expect

The Dún Laoghaire Folk Fest returns to the Pavilion Theatre for its third edition, running Wednesday 9 to Sunday 13 September 2026. Curated by Foggy Notions, the five-day programme mixes international folk names with home-grown Irish talent across six headline concerts, all staged in the Pavilion’s intimate main auditorium on Marine Road.

The lineup opens on Wednesday 9 September with Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle, followed on Thursday by Broadside Hacks presents Bright Phoebus Revisited, featuring Marry Waterson and Eliza Carthy among others reworking the Watersons/Carthy songbook. Friday and Saturday nights belong to Bonnie “Prince” Billy, appearing with support from Garefowl and Brigid Mae Power; both of his shows are already sold out. Saturday afternoon brings a 2pm matinee from Andy Irvine, the veteran Irish folk musician, supported by Tessa Rose Jackson and Roisín Gowen. The festival closes on Sunday 13 September with an afternoon set from Ellie O’Neill (with Aongus and Rua Rí) at 2pm, followed by an evening solo performance from Destroyer’s Dan Bejar, supported by Art Lorigan, at 8pm.

The festival’s billing describes its curation as drawing on “psychic happenstance, gloom-folk, the authentic voice, and the elemental energy of Dún Laoghaire itself” - a fitting description for a weekend that ranges from traditional English folk revival to Canadian art-rock songwriting. Several of the acts are making festival or Irish debuts, giving the programme a genuine sense of discovery alongside its bigger names.

Doors for evening shows are typically from 7pm ahead of 8pm starts, with the two matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 2pm. Ticket prices vary by individual show and are available directly through the Pavilion Theatre box office and website; with two of the five days already sold out, early booking for the remaining shows is recommended.

Good to Know

• Runs Wednesday 9 to Sunday 13 September 2026
• Six ticketed concerts across the five days; book per show
• Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s two shows (Fri 11 & Sat 12 Sep) are sold out
• Matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2pm

Getting There

The Pavilion Theatre is on Marine Road in Dun Laoghaire, a short walk from Dun Laoghaire DART station, which is roughly 25 minutes from Dublin city centre. Dublin Bus routes serve Dun Laoghaire seafront, and there is paid parking nearby.