Lúnasa Gathering

The Lúnasa Gathering brings a day of walking, music and dance to Kells, Co. Kilkenny on Sunday, 16 August 2026, marking Lúnasa, the old Celtic harvest festival that falls at the start of August. Rather than one stage or venue, the day moves between sites in and around the village, from a riverside walk along the Kings River to a traditional music session at the Motte and Bailey. It is a community led event, supported by The Heritage Council, Kilkenny County Council, Kilkenny Arts Office and Nore Vision, built around Kells’ medieval priory and river setting.

What to expect

The programme is made up of several distinct strands through the day. Living Threads is a riverside walk and workshop along the Kings River led by Maura Brennan. The Trad Picnic gathers musicians from The Len Collective at The Island, Mullins Mill, for an outdoor session. A Set Dancing and Dabke Workshop pairs Irish set dancing with Palestinian dabke, led by Louise O’Connor and Belfast Dabke, a deliberate mixing of two folk dance traditions. Later, a Community Ceili brings everyone together for group dancing with Louise O’Connor and The Len Collective, and a further trad session runs at the Motte and Bailey venue with local musicians. The poster artwork is by Votive Illustration. Between sessions there is time to explore Kells itself, including the ruins of Kells Priory, one of the largest medieval monastic sites in Ireland, on the banks of the Kings River.

Getting there

Kells, Co. Kilkenny is a small village around 15 kilometres south of Kilkenny city, reached via the R697. It is not served by rail or scheduled bus, so a car is the practical way to reach the gathering; the various walk and session locations used through the day are close together in and around the village.

While you’re in Kells

Kells is best known for Kells Priory, one of the largest medieval monasteries in Ireland, set on the Kings River a short walk from the village. There is more to see across Co. Kilkenny, including nearby Kilkenny city.

Good to know

• Date: Sunday, 16 August 2026
• Venue: multiple locations around Kells, including the Kings River, The Island at Mullins Mill and the Motte and Bailey
• Price: not listed on the event page at time of writing; check the booking link for details
• Support: The Heritage Council, Kilkenny County Council, Kilkenny Arts Office and Nore Vision