John Boyle O'Reilly Festival 2026

The John Boyle O’Reilly Festival runs for four days around Slane and Dowth, Co. Meath, remembering the Fenian poet, journalist and patriot who was born nearby in Dowth and later escaped to America. The 2026 festival, from Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 August, marks the 150th anniversary of the Catalpa rescue, the daring 1876 escape of six Irish Fenian prisoners from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia, an operation O’Reilly helped organise from Boston.

What to Expect

The festival opens on Thursday 13 August with a launch by GAA President Jarlath Burns, who lays a wreath at the John Boyle O’Reilly memorial at Dowth, and the unveiling of a jersey marking the Catalpa anniversary. Music is a big part of the weekend at the marquee at Dolly’s Bar, Balfeddock: Coscán and Poitín play live on Friday 14 August, and The Highstool Prophets take the stage on Saturday 15 August. Alongside the concerts, the programme mixes history talks, family activities and community events across venues in Slane and at Netterville House, Dowth, tying the weekend back to O’Reilly’s story and his links to the Boyne Valley.

Good to Know

• Dates: Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 August 2026
• Venues: Dolly’s Bar, Balfeddock, and Netterville House, Dowth, near Slane
• Wreath-laying and launch event: Thursday 13 August, free to attend
• Marquee concerts: Friday 14 (Coscán and Poitín) and Saturday 15 August (The Highstool Prophets), ticketed via Eventbrite or at Dolly’s Bar
• Contact: 085 217 1069 or johnboyleoreillyfestival@gmail.com
• Full programme published on the festival’s Facebook page

Getting There

Balfeddock and Dowth sit between Slane and the Boyne Valley heritage sites, off the N51 Slane to Drogheda road, about 50km from Dublin via the M1 and N2. Slane village, 15 minutes away, is the nearest hub for parking and services.