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music · Sunday 12 July 2026 · 1:00pm 
Kilkenny Country Music Festival featuring Derek Ryan
At Gowran Park Racecourse · Gowran Park Racecourse, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny
At Gowran Park Racecourse · Gowran Park Racecourse, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny
A full day of live country music at one of Leinster’s best-known racecourses, with six hours of performers, a giant dance floor, and a crowd that genuinely wants to dance. The Kilkenny Country Music Festival draws fans from across Kilkenny and the surrounding counties, and the open-air setting at Gowran Park suits it perfectly - space to move, room for kids to run around, and no shortage of bars. If you love Irish country music and want a day out rather than just a gig, this is a good bet.
Derek Ryan headlines, backed by The Conquerors for the full day. The support line-up is strong: Robert Mizzell, Louise Morrissey, Gerry Guthrie, Stacey Breen, Kelan Browne, Alistair Fingleton, and Peter & Paul all take the stage across the afternoon. James Lakes comperes. The programme runs from 1pm to 7pm - six hours of music with acts rotating through, so there is always something happening.
The giant dance floor is a genuine feature rather than a token gesture; people use it from early in the afternoon. Onsite bars and restaurants mean you do not need to plan around catering. Activities for kids are included on the day, making it workable for families. A Premium Package option is available for those who want a more comfortable experience - check the festival website for what that covers in 2026.
Gowran Park Racecourse sits in the village of Gowran in south Co. Kilkenny, about 15 km from Kilkenny city. By road it is around 10 minutes from the M9 motorway (exit at Knocktopher / Gowran). From Dublin, take the M9 south; from Waterford, come north on the same road. Ample on-site parking is available and there is no charge for parking. Bus Eireann runs services from Kilkenny city to Gowran; check the current timetable before you travel as Sunday services are reduced.
The village itself is small but has the remains of a medieval collegiate church that is worth a quick look before or after the festival. There is more to see in Gowran and across Co. Kilkenny.
Heading to Gowran Park Racecourse in Gowran? Kilkenny has plenty more to see. Read the Gowran area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.