Kilrush Traditional Music and Set Dancing Festival

For five days at the start of August, Kilrush puts on one of the most genuine traditional music festivals on the Wild Atlantic Way. Run by Inis Cathaigh CCE, the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, this is not a ticketed spectacle with headliners on a branded stage - it is a living festival of West Clare tradition, open to anyone who turns up. The outdoor ceilís in Kilrush Town Square are free, the atmosphere is informal, and children are as welcome as seasoned set dancers. If you have never tried set dancing before, the workshops are designed for beginners.

What to expect

The festival runs from late July through the August bank holiday weekend, with something happening almost every hour across three main venues: Kilrush Town Square, Teach Ceoil Kilrush, and the Community Centre.

The Town Square ceilís are the centrepiece. Each evening a céilí band takes the stand - bands such as DalgCais, the Johnny Reidy Céilí Band, and the Donie Nolan Band have all featured in recent years - and dancing begins in the open air. Sunday typically includes a set dancing display in the square before the evening céilí. On Sunday afternoon the session at Vandeleur Walled Gardens adds a quieter, more scenic setting to the programme.

During the days, workshops run in music and set dancing for players and dancers at various levels. A singers club gives sean nós and traditional singing its own space. Evening pub sessions continue in the town’s bars when the main programme wraps up, so the music rarely stops entirely.

The festival opens formally on the Friday evening and closes with a farewell céilí on the bank holiday Monday - a good structure if you are planning a long weekend around it.

Getting there

Kilrush sits on the south-west coast of Clare, roughly 45 minutes by road from Ennis on the N68. From Limerick city, allow about an hour via the N18 and N68. The car ferry from Tarbert, Co. Kerry crosses the Shannon Estuary to Killimer, just a few kilometres from Kilrush - a useful option if you are coming from the south. Parking is available in and around Kilrush town centre. Bus Éireann serves Kilrush from Ennis on the 343 route, though services are limited so check timetables before you travel.

While you’re in Kilrush

Kilrush is also the gateway to Scattery Island, a monastic site in the Shannon Estuary with a round tower and a seasonal boat service from the marina. The town’s Victorian market square and the nearby Vandeleur Walled Garden are worth an hour each if you have time either side of the festival programme. There is more to see in Kilrush and across Co. Clare.

Good to know

• Dates: 30 July - 3 August 2026 (open-air ceilís Fri-Mon evenings; confirm the 2026 schedule at kilrushcce.com)
• Price: Free
• Workshops run during the day for musicians and dancers at various levels
• Pub sessions each evening in local bars
• Check kilrushcce.com for the final programme closer to the event