Ceol gan stad – Music Events and Festivals Across Connemara and the Islands
Nuair a stadann an ceol, stadann an rince (The dance is over when the music stops) but there will be no stopping this year with a great series of music events in Connemara throughout the year. From traditional sessions to intimate gigs, classical concerts to country music there are music events for everyone in Connemara. Connemara offers a rich calendar of live music events throughout the year — perfect for planning a short break or a longer stay.
Nuair a stadann an ceol, stadann an rince ach ní bheidh aon stad i mbliana le sraith iontach imeachtaí ceoil i rith na bliana. Ó sheisiúin thraidisiúnta go gigeanna dlútha , ceolchoirmeacha clasaiceacha go ceol tuaithe tá ócáid ann do gach duine. Tá ócáid do chuile duine –
Clifden Piano Festival 15th-16th March
at the inaugural Cliden Piano Festival. Clifden Tradfest 9th-12th April
Get ready to have your toes tapping! Clifden Tradfest takes place 9th to the 12th of April 2026. Sessions on the streets and in the pubs , music workshops and the gig rig on the square. Beidh na ladhra ag damhsa! Beidh Clochán Tradfest ar siúl 9ú -12ú Aibreán 2026. Seisiúin ar na sráideanna agus sna tithe tábhairne, ceardlanna ceoil agus an ghig rig ar an gcearnóg.
Féile Joe Éinniú / Joe Heaney Festival 1st–4th May
Celebrate traditional Irish music, song and dance at this May festival honoring Joe Heaney, one of the finest sean-nós singers of the 20th century. Féile ceoil, amhránaíochta agus damhsa i mí Bealtaine in ómós do Joe Éinniú, amhránaí sean-nóis as Conamara. Learn more about his life at Cartlann Sheosaimh Uí Éanaigh or watch the TG4 programme SONG OF GRANITE.
Inishbofin Arts Festival 2nd-4th May
Enjoy a weekend of music, theatre, and visual arts on Inishbofin, featuring performances from artists across Ireland. Ceol, dráma agus ealaín amhairc ar Inis Bó Finne le himeachtaí ó ealaíontóirí ar fud na hÉireann. This year’s line-up includes: The Kilkennys (Friday), PADDY: The Life & Times of Paddy Armstrong (Saturday theatre), Paddy Casey (Saturday music), Irish Guitar Quartet (Sunday afternoon), and The Byrne Brothers (Sunday night).
Clifden Summer Fest 12th -14th June
Clifden Summer Fest is one of the West of Ireland’s most loved summer music festivals, bringing live music, local culture and unforgettable atmosphere to the heart of Connemara each June. Set in the coastal town of Clifden on the Wild Atlantic Way, the festival features a vibrant mix of Irish and international acts, DJs and live bands, attracting thousands of music lovers every year.This year’s line up includes Nathan Carter, Mark McCabe and Geroid McCarthy.
Fillfidh Clifden Summerfest le haghaidh trí lá i Meitheamh. Deireadh seachtaine le ceoltóirí den chéad scoth. Ina measc i bliana tá Nathan Carter, Mark McCabe and Geroid McCarthy.
Craiceann Bodhran Summerschool Scoil Samhraidh ‘Craiceann’ ar Inis Oírr 29th June -3rd July
Immerse yourself in the heart of traditional Irish music with Craiceann International Bodhrán Summer School on Inis Oírr. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, this week-long event offers classes, workshops, concerts, and island experiences that bring the rhythm of Ireland to life. Scoil Samhraidh ‘Craiceann’ ar Inis Oírr a dhíríonn ar ceol an bhodhráin! Beidh ranganna teagaisc ar bun leo siúd a bhfuil fios a gcúram go maith acu agus cúrsa do thosaitheoirí.
Diamond Hill Music Festival
Diamond Hill Music Festival returns to Letterfrack between the 9th-12th of July, 2026
The festival features live music and entertainment across the weekend. Friday night features Claudia Buckley, supported by Paul Mulligan & The Hog, followed on Saturday by Johnny Brady, with support from a Johnny Cash tribute band. Sunday’s programme includes music from The Carey Band, a disco with DJ Fiddler, and live sports coverage, rounding out a lively summer weekend in the heart of Connemara.
Desmond O’ Halloran Music Weekend
Weekend full of music in August on Inishbofin to celebrate the life and legacy of singer, musician, performer and islander Desmond O’Halloran. Traditional Irish music can be heard in sessions all around the island throughout the whole weekend. Ceol & Craic in ómós do Desmond O’ Halloran i Mí Lunasa.
Coynes Unplugged
Ceolchoirm spesialta Tigh Coyne Cill Chiaráin. Is teacht le chéile dlúthchairde an gig acústach seo. Coyne’s Unplugged is a monthly concert series and welcomes a limited audience of just 60 people, with tickets available online. The series offers an intimate, candle-lit setting where audiences can enjoy close-up, acoustic performances. The 2026 Coyne’s Unplugged concert schedule features Mick Flannery, Kieran Kennedy with Maria Doyle Kennedy, Mary Coughlan, and Alan, Fiachna & Tom.
Murrays Yard
Murray’s Doonmore Hotel on Inishbofin is famous for it’s music sessions and with Murrays Yard they added another string to their bow. Keep an eye on their social media pages for updates. Tá clú agus cáil ar Murray’s Doonmore Hotel ar Inis Bó Finne as a sheisiúin cheoil agus anois le Murrays Yard chuir siad sreang eile lena bhogha. Coinnigh súil ar a leathanaigh meán sóisialta le haghaidh chun eolas a fháil faoi na himeachtaí.
Killary Sessions -Ceol ar an Caoláire Rua
The Killary Sessions combine a wonderful musical experience with a boat trip on the Killary aboard the Connemara Lady. With full bar on board and stunning views of the surrounding scenery from inner and outer decks. There’s great demand for tickets and the events sell out quickly. The first session this year takes place on the 30th of May with Sean Keane. Is eispéireas ceoil iontach Killary Sessions -ceol ar an Caolaire Rua! Ceol de scoth agus turas báid le Killary Fjord Boat Tours ar bord Connemara Lady. Tá beár ar bord agus radhairc iontacha mórthimpeall ó na deiceanna istigh agus amuigh. Tá an tóir ar na ticéid le haghaidh na seisiúin seo agus díolann na himeachtaí amach go tapa
Clifden Station House Theatre -Amharclann Óstán Clifden Stationhouse
From traditional music events ,tribute bands, comedy events to classical concerts the Station House Theatre Connemara hosts many events through the year.Ó cheol traidisiúnta , seónna grinn go ceolchoirmeacha clasaiceacha bíonn go leor imeachtaí ar siúl in Amharclann Óstán Clifden Stationhouse i rith na bliana.
Choirs & Concerts at Kylemore Abbey Cóir & Ceolchoirmeacha ag Mainistir na Coille Móire
Kylemore Abbey hosts many visiting choirs in the Gothic Church as well as other events throughout the season. Keep an eye on their social media or check on their website for scheduled concerts. Reáchtálann Mainistir na Coille Móire go leor cóir chuairte san Eaglais Ghotach chomh maith le himeachtaí eile i rith an tséasúir. Coinnigh súil ar a gcuid meáin shóisialta nó seiceáil ar a suíomh Gréasáin le haghaidh ceolchoirmeacha sceidealaithe.
Clifden Arts Festival September Féile Ealaíne an Chlocháin
Clifden Arts Festival has a wide variety of events, including music, song, poetry, literature, and captivating spectacles. The festival hosts a wide array of musical events covering many genres of music. Keep an eye on their social media for announcement for this year’s events.
Bíonn réimse leathan imeachtaí ar siúl i rith Féile Ealaíne an Chlocháin. Ina measc bíonn ceol, amhránaíocht, filíocht, litríocht agus seónna spéisiúla. Bíonn a lán imeachtaí ceoil a chlúdaíonn go leor seánraí ceoil. Féach clár na bliana seo caite le haghaidh tagartha. Coinnigh súil ar a gcuid meáin shóisialta le haghaidh imeachtaí na bliana.
Cleggan Fringe Festival
Music and workshops in Cleggan in September.
Inishbofin Set Dancing and Trad Weekend
With a guaranteed good time Inishbofin Set Dancing & Trad Weekend is held annually on the last weekend of September. Bíonn Féile Rince Seit & Ceol Traidisiúnta Inis Bó Finne ar siúl gach bliain ag deireadh Mhí Mheán Fómhair. Deireadh seachtaine de cheol agus damhsa traidisiúnta den scoth is ea an fhéile.
Féile Tom Mhaidhle
Ag ceiluradh saol agus ceol Tom Mhaidhle Seoighe ar Árann i Mí Deireadh Fómhar. A weekend in October of music, song and dancing in honour of the much-loved accordion player Tom Mhaidhle.
Éigse Mhichael Mháire Ghabha
Deireadh seachtaine i Mí Deireadh Fómhar lán de cheoil, damhsa, amhránaíocht, cheardlainne in omós do Mhichael Mháire Ghabha i gCarna. Ceoltóir de scothA weekend full of music, dancing, singing and workshops in October celebrating Michael Mháire Ghabha.
Arts Societies & Music Venues
Aras Éanna Ionad Ealaíne ar Inis Oirr Arts Centre on Inis Oirr.
Clifden Arts Society hosts musical events in the Church and Clifden Station house Theatre at various times during the year. Ceol & Imeachtaí Ealaíne sa gClochán
Oughterard Court House hosts a number of musical and art exhibtions through the year. Eagraíonn Uachtar Ard Courthouse ócáidí ceol agus ealaíne.
Stiúideo Cuan has magificent views out over Galway Bay and first class recording and event facilities. Tá Stiúideo Cuan ar cheann de na lárionaid cultúrtha is deise san Eoraip le háiseanna den scoth agus amharc álainn amach thar chuan na Gaillimhe.
Summer Music Events in Connemara -Seisiúin Samhradh!
Roundstone Music Nights takes place during July & August
Clifden Town Hall has Music Nights during July & August in Clifden Town Hall and other music events throughout the year.
Teach Ceoil RenvyleTeach Ceoil hosts music, song and dance classes throughout the year. Each Tuesday evening during July and August, the cream of local Irish musicians, singers and dancers perform as part of the sessions. Bíonn ranganna ceoil, amhránaíochta agus damhsa ar siúl ag Teach Ceoil i rith na bliana. Gach oíche Mháirt i rith Iúil agus Lúnasa, bíonn scoth na gceoltóirí, na n-amhránaithe agus na ndamhsóirí Éireannacha áitiúla ag casadh mar chuid de Sheisiún.
Pub Sessions – Seisiúin Ceol
Many pubs have sessions on certain nights throughout the year and some have music every night during the summer season. Check their social media pages or ask a local to find out where the nearest session or music event in Connemara is. Bíonn ceol den scoth i dtithe tábhairne sa cheantar i rith na bliana agus gach oíche i gcuid acu i rith an tsamhraidh.
Whether it’s a packed festival marquee, a quiet island session or an intimiate acoustic gig, Connemara is alive with music all year round. Many events sell out quickly, so plan ahead — or follow the sound and see where the night leads.