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festivals · Friday 31 July 2026 · 8:30pm 
Fogfest Castleblayney Music Festival
At St Mary's Park · St Mary's Park, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan A75 A034
At St Mary's Park · St Mary's Park, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan A75 A034
Fogfest - formerly known as the Castleblayney Music Festival - takes over St Mary’s Park on the August bank holiday weekend with three nights of live country and trad music under a brand-new covered marquee. It is the kind of summer event that draws people from right across Monaghan and the border counties: the line-up leans into the Irish country scene, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the setting at the Faughs GAA grounds gives it a genuine community feel rather than a corporate festival vibe.
The action runs from Friday 31 July through Sunday 2 August, with doors opening at 8:30pm each night. The 2026 line-up covers a good spread: Friday brings The Whistlin’ Donkeys and Ronnie and the Reptiles; Saturday night is Back to the Glen with DJ Alan Haywood; and Sunday closes things out with Mike Denver - one of the biggest names in Irish country music - plus Ruaile Buaile. The new marquee means the whole event is covered regardless of weather, which removes the usual outdoor-festival anxiety around bank holiday forecasts. Bar and catering are on-site throughout the weekend, and weekend packages are available if you plan to attend more than one night. Under-18s are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult at all times; reduced-price tickets are available for under-16s. Tickets can be booked in advance at castleblayneymusicfestival.ie or purchased at the gate.
Castleblayney sits on the N2 Dublin to Derry road, roughly 20 minutes south of Monaghan town and about 90 minutes by road from Dublin. From the south, take the M1 motorway north and pick up the N2 at Ardee or Carrickmacross. Bus Éireann services connect Castleblayney with Monaghan town and Dublin on the 109X/100 routes, though last buses on festival nights may not align with the late finish - check times carefully if you are not driving. St Mary’s Park is on the Dublin Road side of the town; parking at or near the GAA grounds is the norm for club events, though space fills up on the busier nights and arriving early is the sensible move.
The town has a relaxed pace and is worth a look beyond the festival - Hope Castle sits above Muckno Lake and the surrounding forest park is good for a morning walk before the evening gets going. There is more to see in Castleblayney and across Co. Monaghan.
Heading to St Mary's Park in Castleblayney? Monaghan has plenty more to see. Read the Castleblayney area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.