Gwenno at De Barra's Folk Club Clonakilty

Welsh-Cornish singer-songwriter Gwenno brings her 2026 Irish tour to one of the country’s most storied small venues, De Barra’s Folk Club in Clonakilty. This is an intimate headline show supporting her fourth solo album Utopia, released in 2025 on Heavenly Recordings - her most accessible record yet, and the first she has recorded predominantly in English. If you have been a fan of her earlier Welsh and Cornish language albums, or if you are coming to her for the first time, this is a rare chance to catch her in a room of just 120 people.

What to expect

Utopia is a psychedelic pop record built around piano and electronic textures, with themes of identity and self-discovery running through it. It received wide critical acclaim on release, reaching number four on the UK Independent Albums Chart. Singles like “Dancing on Volcanoes” and “War” show a more direct, open sound than her earlier language-led records, while a handful of Welsh and Cornish tracks (“Y Gath”, recorded with Cate Le Bon, is a standout) confirm she has not left that world behind.

De Barra’s has been at the centre of the West Cork music scene since 1978, originally a grocery shop, now a venue with instruments and memorabilia lining the walls. Lonely Planet has listed it among the world’s top live music venues. Its back room holds 120 people, which means even if you are standing at the back you are close to the stage. Christy Moore, Paddy Keenan and Noel Redding have all played here. The front bar stays open and is a good place to land before doors.

Tickets are priced from €18 and the show starts at 8pm. Book in advance - shows at De Barra’s at this level sell out.

Getting there

Clonakilty sits on the N71, about 55km west of Cork city along the coast road. By car from Cork it takes roughly 50 minutes; coming from Skibbereen it is about 25km east. There is no direct train service, but Bus Éireann route 237 connects Cork city to Clonakilty, with journey times around 90 minutes. The town centre is compact and De Barra’s is at 55 Pearse Street, walkable from anywhere you park. Street parking is available on the surrounding roads in the evening; the town is not large and a short walk is rarely needed.

While you’re in Clonakilty

Clonakilty is worth arriving early for. The town has a strong food scene, a Saturday market, and the West Cork Model Railway Village just outside the centre is an unusual stop if you are travelling with family. The coastline around Inchydoney is a short drive. There is more to see in Clonakilty and across Co. Cork.

Good to know

• Date: Sunday 19 July 2026, 8:00pm
• Venue: De Barra’s Folk Club, 55 Pearse Street, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
• Tickets: from €18, book at debarra.ie
• Capacity is 120 - book early, this will sell out
• The front bar at De Barra’s is open before and after the show