The south Galway harbour of Kinvara is hosting Fleadh na gCuach 2025, its traditional music and community arts festival, over the May bank holiday weekend.
An “unforgettable celebration of music, creativity and connection” is promised, with over 120 musicians and artists set to take part.
Among them are Dermot Byrne, Mary Bergin, Brendan O’Regan, Bríd Harper, John Faulkner, Johnny Ringo McDonagh, Jacqueline McCarthy and Josephine Marsh.
A new feature of this year’s Fleadh is The Courthouse, an intimate venue for gigs, workshops, and a special teen traditional music session hosted by Mary Shannon and Anne Kinane.
The space will also host performances from Emma Langford, Ben MacCaoilte, Niall Teague, and Padraic Joyce.
Families can look forward to art workshops, a puppet show by Your Man’s Puppets, nature talks, and much more. A festival favourite, the Cuckoo Fun Run for kids, returns on Saturday at 12.30 pm.
In the spirit of inclusion, the Fleadh will also bring music directly to the residents of Blake Manor Nursing Home in Ballinderreen with a special, heartwarming session.
The Fleadh is hosting Livefeed, a Music Generation Galway initiative for young people (ages 13–18) interested in performance and music production.
A free workshop (12–3pm) will offer hands-on experience with sound, lighting and stagecraft, followed by a live concert at 3pm featuring all participants.
The concert is free and open to the public. To take part, email [email protected]. Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance.
“To support sustainable travel, festival-goers can hop aboard the Cuckoo Express, a special bus service from Gort running all weekend with buses departing from O’Sullivans on the Square in Gort at 2 pm and 7.45pm and returning from Kinvara Quay at 7pm and midnight on Saturday and Sunday,”the organisers state.
“ Two 8-seater taxis will also be on hand for the weekend to help people leave the car at home and enjoy the festival stress-free,”they state.
All live performances are now fully booked, due to limited seating, but a waiting list is currently in place.
For updates and further information, visit the festival’s Facebook page here
