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seasonal · Sunday 12 July 2026 · 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM 
Kilkenny Country Music Festival
At Gowran Park Racecourse · Gowran, Co. Kilkenny
At Gowran Park Racecourse · Gowran, Co. Kilkenny
A full six hours of Irish country music in a proper outdoor setting - that is what the Kilkenny Country Music Festival delivers every July at Gowran Park Racecourse. This is not a small local session; the lineup reads like a who’s who of the Irish country circuit, and the crowd treat the dance floor seriously. If you have any fondness at all for the genre, or simply want a long sociable Sunday afternoon with good music and easy company, this is a well-organised day out that suits all ages.
The 2026 bill is a strong one. Derek Ryan headlines alongside Robert Mizzell, Louise Morrissey, and Gerry Guthrie - four artists who collectively account for a large share of Irish country radio airtime. Stacey Breen, Kelan Browne, Alistair Fingleton, and Peter & Paul fill out the afternoon, all backed by The Conquerors, with MC James Lakes keeping things moving. Music runs from 1 pm to 7 pm, which gives enough time to hear everyone without it becoming a late night.
The format suits dancing. There is a giant dance floor at the heart of the site - expect it to be busy from early on, particularly when Mizzell or Morrissey take the stage. Onsite bars and restaurants mean you do not need to leave the venue for food or a drink, and there are activities laid on for children. Children under 12 get in free when accompanied by an adult. A premium package option is available for those who want a more elevated experience.
Gowran Park itself is a proper racecourse with good infrastructure - solid ground, real facilities, and plenty of space. It is a much more comfortable setting for a long afternoon than a converted field.
Gowran village sits roughly 15 km east of Kilkenny city on the R448. By car, the racecourse is about 10 minutes from the M7 motorway - straightforward from Dublin (approx 1 hr 20 min) or Waterford (approx 40 min). There is easy on-site parking at the racecourse.
By public transport, Bus Eireann services from Kilkenny city run toward Gowran; check the timetable in advance as Sunday services can be limited. A taxi from Kilkenny city to the venue takes around 15-20 minutes.
Gowran is a quiet village with a genuinely impressive medieval heritage site at St Mary’s Collegiate Church, worth a short detour 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.