Kilkenny Arts Festival – Ten Days of Pure Magic

Every summer since 1974, Kilkenny has burst into colour as music, theatre, dance, and art spill into its medieval streets. For ten unforgettable days in August, ancient churches, castle courtyards, and secret gardens become stages for performances you'll talk about for years.

One night you might hear a haunting violin in a candlelit chapel. The next, you could be watching world-class theatre under the stars or discovering a jazz trio tucked away in a hidden courtyard. Everywhere you turn, something unexpected is waiting.

From spellbinding classical concerts to bold contemporary creations, the Festival mixes tradition with daring innovation. It's a celebration where history and creativity meet, and the whole city becomes part of the story.

Whether you're here for the big names, the intimate moments, or the sheer joy of wandering between events, Kilkenny Arts Festival is your ticket to a summer filled with art, adventure, and a touch of magic.

With events on throughout the small city and a few in the county too, there's something for everyone.

Here are some of Panoramic Ireland's favourites to look out for

Secret Music Series at Mount Juliet
Out in the lush gardens of Mount Juliet, this event takes place on Sunday 17th August with an unannounced line-up from 15:00.
FREE EVENT
Light Up the Castle - Because You're Free
A must-see performance by Laura Sheehan that seeks to make us feel a little more human again, nightly at 22:45 from 13th-16th August.
FREE EVENT
Annemarie Ní Churreáin - Ghostgirl
Described by The Irish Times as a fresh and vivid new voice, poet Annemarie Ní Churreáin reads from Ghostgirl at the Parade Tower from 17:00 on Saturday 16th August.
Tickets €18
Irish Chamber Orchestra
Directed by Henning Kraggerud, performing his own work Equinox alongside classics from Mahler, Barber and JS Bach. All held in the wonderful setting of Saint Canice's Cathedral. At 19:30 on Friday 15th August.
Tickets €37
Secret Byrd by The Gesualdo Six & Fretwork
Telling the story of William Byrd, a composer during the reign of Britain's Queen Elizabeth I who, as a Catholic, continued to work on Latin masses while composing for the royal court. 12th and 13th of August at 18:30 and 21:00.
740 Years of Reverb - James McVinnie & Eliza McCarthy
Saint Canice's Cathedral will have the sound of the organ reverbing for eight hours as they play Jonny Greenwood's 740 Years of Reverb on 9th August between 13:00 and 21:00.
Tickets from €20 for 2 hours
Ciarán Hinds at Saint Canice's Cathedral
Returns for the third time on the 10th of August, performing this year with text from Charles Eisenstein set to music by The Fews Ensemble and Mezzo Soprano Sharon Carty. At 20:30.
Tickets €30
Lucia and Maria at Cleere's Pub and Theatre
What better setting than Cleere's Pub and Theatre for violin and fiddle as Lucia and Maria perform at 21:00 on 11th August.
Tickets €20
Colm Mac Con Iomaire String Quartet
More fiddling will be had at the Set Theatre on 13th August at 14:30 as Colm Mac Con Iomaire is joined, after a solo set, by Kate Ellis, Rakhi and Simmy Singh to form a formidable string quartet.
Tickets €25
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And that's only just some of the world class talent on offer at Kilkenny Arts Festival.

Ready to experience the magic?

For more information and the complete festival programme:

View Full Programme

One of the most common garden birds in Ireland, the blackbird Turdus merula or Lon Dubh in Irishis coming under threat from a mosquito-borne virus known as Usutu virus.

Now in Ireland, the virus has been the cause of significant population declines in the UK and other countries, London lost 50% of it's blackbird population between 2019 and 2020.

The blackbird was seen as a symbol of good luck in Ireland, especially in pairs or when it enters a house.

It was said that Saint Kevin of Glendalough, while praying inside his small cell, arms outstretched through an opening, had a blackbird land on his hand. The bird made a nest on it and laid eggs, the saint it is said, remained in position long enough for the eggs to hatch and fledge.

Seamus Heaney even wrote a poem on the legend.

Blackbirds were said to have been brought to Ireland by the legendary Finn MacCool, famous in mythology for creating the Giant's Causeway in County Antrim, from a visit to Norway where he heard their sweet whistle.

Indeed modern studies and evidence from ringed birds show that many blackbirds migrate to Ireland from Norway in winter for the milder climate.

Eurasian Blackbird, Turdus merula or Lon Dubh
Eurasian Blackbird, Turdus merula or Lon Dubh

Because it sings so loudly at dusk and dawn, the blackbird is often associated with the Otherworld, being messengers or symbolising reincarnation.

It would be sad to think of a further decline in blackbird numbers here in Ireland so let's appreciate these beautiful ground-hopping songbirds.


The ARM Cuauhtémoc, one of the world's finest tall ships seen here in Dublin Bay 2012.

Under sail this is one of the most impressive of the touring training ships, seen here with dozens of cadets working the rigging high on the ship's masts as it leaves the safety of Dublin's River Liffey for the Irish Sea as the tall ships leave Dublin.

The Cuauhtémoc has made headlines recently due to the bridge strike on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York where unfortunately two of its crew died and its masts were damaged.


A bright and colourful sunrise at the coast for Saint Patrick's Day 2025 in Ireland.

The Sun peeks over the horizon, casting a warm glow across the tranquil waters of the Irish coast, sand dunes in shadow waiting to warm up with the morning light.

The soft, pastel sky reflects on the calm sea, creating a mirror of colour and light on the day of Ireland's patron saint

Enjoy the view and enjoy the following poem sent in to me by David P. Carroll.

 

Happy Saint Patrick's Day.

 

On Saint Patrick's Day
A joyous sight celebrating
Our hero Saint Patrick today
And Ireland so loved and cherished
Around the world and
The shamrock's charm a lucky find
A gentle heart and open mind
And the festivities will grow
And we will celebrate our beloved
Hero saint Patrick today
 
And classical Irish
Music will fill the air
And all the little funny
Irish leprechauns
Are dancing and jumping
Up in the air and the little children
Are having so much fun and the
Banners are waving and little
Children's faces will glow and 
 
The spirit of the Emerald Isle ignites
In fields of gold where children play
The laugh and share stories today 
 
The streets adorned in vibrant hue
Parades unfolding joy breaks through
As music flows from every band
In rhythm with the steady hand
 
The Irish pipes and drums a rousing sound
A gathering where love is found
Unified in green attire
Together we ignite the fire
 
From to Dublin town to Galway bay 
The streets are filled with merry sound
With laughter and music all around
And celebrating this day with peace and love
May fortune smile upon you from
The heavens high above and 
 
In vibrant hues a festive scene
Irish blessings warm and true
 
And Saint Patrick's Day
Memories to cherish forever
So may the love and luck
Of the Irish be with you 
All around the world 
On this very special and 
Loving peaceful day
So God bless you all
And may you all have
A magical and happy
Peaceful Saint Patrick's Day.
 

David P Carroll.

 
 
 

Are you planning to visit Ireland's famous Cliffs of Moher in 2025?

If so, keep an eye out for path closures at the stunning Wild Atlantic Way site. Currently, as of February 2025 only the paths around the visitor centre are open so it's impossible to walk from or to Doolin on the northern section of the trail at the moment and it's not possible to walk on the southern section of the trail to or from Hag's Head.

The surfers' path is still open on the northern section but not as far as the visitor centre.

With over 1.5 million visitors every year, the paths, which at times are close to the edge of the Atlantic, can be uneven and unfenced and have seen a number of unfortunate deaths in recent years.

To create new, safer sections of path the trails will be closed for most of this year, 2025 but with different sections open at different times.

The visitor centre remains open with viewpoints still accessible.

Check here for more information.