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festivals · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Various 
Killala Festival 2026
At Killala town · Killala, Co. Mayo
At Killala town · Killala, Co. Mayo
Killala, the small cathedral town on Killala Bay, runs its main summer festival across five days each August, organised by the volunteer-run Killala Live Festival Committee.
The week builds through a run of family and community events. Thursday 13 August brings a line dancing and hip-hop workshop for 12-17 year olds, free and running 7-9pm. Friday 14 August is given over to a car treasure hunt, departing town between 6 and 7:30pm. Saturday 15 August is the festival’s busiest day: a food and craft market runs 11am-5pm, a dog show with 19 classes opens registration at 11am and judges from 1pm, and the evening headline is a Tommy Fleming concert at 8:30pm, with tickets limited and allocated first-come. Sunday 16 August closes the festival with the Eddie Walsh Memorial Walk at 12:30pm, a family fun day, a live performance from Ruaile Buaile at 8pm and a fireworks display over the bay at 10:30pm.
Killala is on the R314, about 13km north of Ballina on Killala Bay. Bus Éireann’s Ballina services are the nearest public transport link, and Ballina also has the closest railway station, on the Dublin-Westport line via Manulla Junction. Festival activities are spread through the town centre and along the harbour, with parking available on-street and at the harbour car park.
The festival’s fireworks finale plays out over Killala Bay itself, right below the town’s round tower and cathedral ruins. There is more to see in Killala and across Co. Mayo.
Heading to Killala town in Killala? Mayo has plenty more to see. Read the Killala area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.