Dr. Margarita Cappock, an art historian, curator, and writer, will deliver an illustrated lecture on the early life of renowned artist Francis Bacon (1909-1992) and his complex relationship with Ireland, his birthplace.
In a long-held dream, Breandan O Scanaill embarked on a remarkable journey from Clifden to Santiago de Compostela from April to September 2022. This pilgrimage covered an impressive distance of...
From a Childhood friendship to Gaelic football fame and glory Talk by author Jim Carney In a 55-year career in print journalism and broadcasting, Jim Carney worked for the Tuam...
Join us for a wonderful evening of music and song, celebrating the arts. The Festival will be opened by broadcaster, uilleann piper and musical historian Peter Browne, followed by music,...
Celebrate the joy of workplace and fun place with our local, special drama group, who express the universal theme of being happy through rhyme, mime, poetry and song.
Sound designer Jason Scott, actor/director Paul Connolly from Blue Teapot Theatre Company, and filmmaker Fionn Rogers collaborated in Clifden to teach documentary-making skills to a group of ten local participants
Michael Gibbons, an independent archaeologist and former Co-Director of the Sites and Monuments Record Office, has transformed our understanding of Irish archaeology.
Anne Donnellan, currently residing in Galway, is an accomplished poet. Her debut collection, “Witness,” was published in December 2022 by Revival Press Limerick. Anne’s work has been featured in poetry...
The performance unfolds as a mix of a variety show, parish fundraiser, and comedic event, with Breathnach as the compère, orchestrating audience participation, raffles, spot prizes, quizzes, and sharing hilarious stories of Amadáns and their adventures.
Ravi's Bar and Restaurant.
Christy Moore, widely regarded as one of the most captivating and influential musicians in Ireland, boasts a devoted fan base that extends far beyond the country’s borders.
The lecture will cover various projects, including parklets in Galway City, houses in Clifden, and a seaside baths complex in Dún Laoghaire.
Explore the history of this 200-year-old town in the company of local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill.
Clare Sands is a remarkable presence in Irish music, blending traditional roots with contemporary influences.
James Morrissey is a distinguished communications consultant and accomplished author with a diverse background.
Dublin poet, Rachael Hegarty, won the 2018 Shine Strong Award for her debut collection, “Flight Paths Over Finglas.” Her powerful collection “May Day 1974” honours victims of The Troubles. She...
This inspirational book presents a unique model of healing, integrating depth psychology with spirituality.
These three renowned artists have each traversed different genres and artistic paths throughout their careers, always exploring new musical territories. Collaboration has been a recurring theme in their work, and now they are set to bring their collective talents together a special show.
Greg Yule, an exceptional musician, is a talented singer, songwriter, and a long-time friend of the Festival. Tonight, be sure not to miss his captivating performance of original material, where...
The Warrior Artist Podcast. In this live recording, she will engage in conversation with the remarkable Margaret Irwin West, an esteemed artist, printmaker, and member of Aosdána, who is now 97 years old.
How much freedom did the Treaty really give? Why did it lead to a Civil War? And how did successive Irish Governments dismantle it to allow Ireland to emerge on the world stage?
Johnny Óg Connolly, a renowned traditional musician and composer from the Connemara Gaeltacht, excels in accordion and melodeon.
The writers' group is a dynamic force of creativity, boasting members who have accomplished remarkable cultural and artistic feats.
Dorothy Cross is an acclaimed Irish artist known for her thought-provoking work.
‘The Courtmacsherry Suite’ is a new piece of music written by Máire Ní Dhuibhir, who also composed ‘Connemara Songlines’, which was very-well received at last year’s Festival.
Buttons and Bows emerged in 1983, injecting vibrant colour into Irish traditional music
Kevin Cronin is an experienced sailor and explorer. He was part of the crew of the Galway Hooker St. Patrick, which sailed across the Atlantic in the 1980s
In aid of Clifden Community Play School Building Project
with Peter Browne, Paudie O’Connor and Aoife Ní Chaoimh Sliabh Luachra, located on the Cork-Kerry border, boasts a rich musical tradition with a unique repertoire and history. Pádraig O’Keeffe (1887...
The Marine Singers is a mixed-voice choir that was formed in 2013 for the Choir Factor competition in Galway.
An engaging panel discussion, where past inspiration meets future collaboration between the Clifden Arts Festival and Abbey Theatre, with our esteemed guests: Caitríona McLaughlin, Bríd Ní Neachtain, and Ian Toner.
Peig Sayers, a renowned Irish seanachai (storyteller), was born in County Kerry in 1873. She inherited her storytelling gift from her father and had a remarkable command of spoken Kerry...
Professor Rose Anne Kenny Rose Anne Kenny is Regius Professor of Physic (Medicine) and holds the Chair of Medical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin
Seamus McGuire & Niamh Crowley (violins), Kenneth Rice (viola), Neil Martin (cello) with special guest, Mary Dillon
From Africa to Appalachia is a musical project that delves into the historical connections between West African and Appalachian music.
Griffin's Bar Main St, Clifden, Co. Galway
Diarmaid, Deirdre, and Donncha Moynihan, revered as three of Ireland's foremost traditional musicians, have captivated audiences with their unparalleled talent.
Luke Morgan, an acclaimed poet and filmmaker, published his second collection titled “Beast” in 2022, receiving praise for its ambition and striking imagination. His debut collection, “Honest Walls,” was published...
Peig Sayers, a renowned Irish seanachai (storyteller), was born in County Kerry in 1873. She inherited her storytelling gift from her father and had a remarkable command of spoken Kerry...
Peter Fallon is an notable poet and translator, known for his collections such as “The Company of Horses” and “Strong, My Love.” His translations include notable works like “The Georgics...
Hank Wangford, often referred to as the twisted Godfather of the British alternative country music scene, has been exploring the dark and troubled soul of Country music for over three decades.
Győző Ferencz, a Hungarian poet and critic, is renowned for his expertise in English and Hungarian literature. With a background in teaching and editorial work, he currently serves as a...
Explore the history of this 200-year-old town in the company of local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill.
Seán Keane is a highly acclaimed Irish musician known for his unique style and captivating voice.
John F. Deane, born on Achill Island, is a prominent figure in the world of poetry. He is the founder of Poetry Ireland, the Poetry Ireland Review, and the Dedalus...
Over thirty years ago, Gabriel Fitzmaurice made a significant mark on Irish poetry by publishing three collections of poems in the Irish language, along with a couple of children’s books,...
KING tells the story of Luther, a man from Cork named in honour of his Granny Bee Baw’s hero, Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Luther only leaves his apartment for essential journeys, and to perform as an Elvis impersonato
Musician Carmel Dempsey made her first Arts Festival appearance in 1983 and has been a regular performer ever since.
Event John Carty and Mike McGoldrick are acclaimed musicians in the traditional Irish music scene. John Carty is a fiddle and banjo player, known for his innovative style and deep...
Francis Brennan is a well-known hotelier and television presenter. He fronts one of Ireland’s most popular TV shows, "At Your Service", where his wit and charm have endeared him to...
Alan Titley and Gabriel Fitzmaurice stand as prominent figures in Irish literature, both celebrated for their unique contributions, deepening our appreciation for storytelling, and captivating readers across generations.
The ConTempo Quartet was founded in Bucharest in 1995 and has been based in Ireland since 2003 as Galway Music Residency’s Ensemble in Residence.
Connemara Golf Links celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. Operating since the 7th June 1973, the course was set up by the community to boost tourism in an area that...
Clifden Arts Festival, in partnership with Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland, presents an afternoon of Irish harping featuring renowned harpers Lisa Canny, Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín, and Séamus Ó Flatharta. Lisa...
Jack L has garnered a dedicated following both nationally and internationally, captivating audiences with his stage presence, rich vocal style, and extraordinary interpretive skills.
Join us for The Morning Papers, a series of intimate talks on creative practice and contemporary art in Ireland. Grab a coffee and be part of the conversation with artists,...
The Clifden Workhouse, often associated with the Great Famine, continued to be a significant presence in Connemara during the early 20th century. Even in 1911, the workhouse housed sixty-four inmates,...
Inishbofin, the largest island in a small archipelago is known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant traditional music scene. It has a rich history dating back to the Bronze Age...
“Stolen Hearts,” a new piece by Grammy Award winning composer Bill Whelan. The composition draws inspiration from the 18th-century Irish poem “Droimeann Donn Dílis,” exploring themes of dispossession and separation from loved ones and native homes.
Bernard O’Donoghue is a poet and former tutor in English at Wadham College. He specialised in medieval literature and modern Irish literature until his retirement in 2011. With eight books...
Fergus Cronin was awarded the Maria Edgeworth prize for fiction in 2022 and completed an MPhil degree in Creative Writing at the Oscar Wilde Centre in TCD in 2014. Having...
Graffiti Classics is a unique musical ensemble that combines classical music with comedy, dance, and audience interaction. With sixteen strings, eight dancing feet, and four voices, they aim to make...
Rodney Owl is a Galway-based songwriter playing Electric Folk music, combining breathless, immersive, thought-provoking, quirky, and whimsical elements sometimes all at once!
Brendan Shine, a renowned Irish musical artist, is celebrating sixty years in the music industry. He has performed worldwide, captivating audiences with his extensive repertoire from over fifty albums and...
A century on from one of our darkest years, this talk will focus on the Civil War climate and the challenges that war and it's conclusion presented, politically, economically, socially...
Explore the history of this 200-year-old town in the company of local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill.
Mick O’Brien is a highly regarded performer and teacher of uilleann pipes, whistle, and flute. He has recorded extensively and collaborated with various artists. He released albums featuring music from...
Is ócáid dá-theangach a bheas ann – this is a bi-lingual event. In the mid-1850s, Patrick Lyden left Clifden and emigrated to America, never returning to Ireland before his death...
John Fanning In Conversation with Deirdre Mac Mathuna “The Mandarin, The Musician and the Mage” is a thought-provoking book that delves into Ireland’s remarkable resilience and success amidst economic challenges...
Christian Curnyn Conductor Sharon Carty Mezzo Soprano Anna Devin Soprano Van Wassenaer - Concerto Armonici No.5 in f Minor Respighi – Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No. 3 Puccini Chrysanthemums...
Join Landscape Theatre Specialists LUXE as they present a breathtaking illuminated procession across the picturesque beach of Omey Island. Working alongside local school children and with the support of the...
2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the Boomers’ participation in the Clifden Arts Festival. Some of the schoolchildren they played for back in 1993 are now teachers of the students...
Tracy Bruen, Galway's 2015 Solo Artist of the Year, combines indie folk and blues with a diverse band of local musicians. They create a rich sound using various instruments and vocal harmonies.
Harry is an experienced medical doctor with over 35 years of experience as a senior GP in the Irish health system. He specialises in mental health, focusing on anxiety, depression,...
The Raines comprises of Ruth Dillon (vocals, guitar, ukulele), Yvonne Tiernan (vocals/ukulele/percussion), and Juliana Erkkonen (fiddle and vocals). Ruth who has toured and recorded with the legendary vocalist Dolores Keane,...
The memorial lecture, named in honour of the Irish philosopher and mystic, John Moriarty, it provides an opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of this influential figure in Irish...
Fairy JIL and her family and friends left a message for Clifden Tidy Towns asking if they could arrange for the children to come out together again. Our magical friends...
The San Patricio Mexican Dancer Celebration at the Clifden Arts Festival is an event that honours the memory of John Reilly and the San Patricio Battalion. The celebration brings together...
The Grand Parade LUXE, a renowned procession and landscape theatre group, returns to Clifden to present the “Night Journey” as part of the Grand Parade. With horses, lanterns, and stunning...
Walk The Line returns to Clifden with an electrifying show that pays tribute not only to Johnny Cash but also to the legendary artists of Sun Studios, including the incomparable...
Musicians from the Slieve Bloom Sessions in Kinnitty and Ballyboy Comhaltas combine to bring a unique blend of music, songs, atmosphere, and crack to this very prestigious event. Musicians include...
Launched by Deirdre Veldon, Group Managing Director, The Irish Times Not long before he died on 30th May 2023, Michael Viney completed what he described as ‘a personal popular...
A dance exploring the intricate relationship between bodies, buildings, and memories. Using a blend of audio recordings, archival materials, truths, half-truths, and a touch of accidental fiction, a unique dance...
Celebrating older people’s contributions to arts and culture in the community. Lunch will be followed by dance and song with local musicians Peter Carey and Liam Aspell. This event is...
Celebrate the joy of workplace and fun place with our local, special drama group, who express the universal theme of being happy through rhyme, mime, poetry and song Devised and...
The Center for Cultural Vibrancy returns to Clifden Arts Festival with a trio showcasing Appalachian musical traditions. The group features Danny Knicely, a revered multiinstrumentalist known for his virtuosity on...
Johnny Mháirtn Learaí Mac Donnchadha is one of the finest sean-nós singers in Ireland. He has won numerous awards and All Ireland Con Uí Riada for his singing and has...
Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh is Professor Emeritus in History and former Dean of Arts and Vice-President of the National University of Ireland, Galway. Former member of the Senate of the NUI,...
Dublin-born Geraldine Mitchell lives in Mayo. Her fifth book of poems is Naming Love (Arlen House, 2024). She is a Patrick Kavanagh Award winner and is widely published and anthologised....
Martin Hayes is celebrated as one of the most influential musicians in Irish traditional music today. Deeply rooted in the music of East County Clare, his unique interpretations place the...
Alannah Robins is the founder and director of Interface residency and studio, in the Inagh Valley. Interface delivers a range of supports and opportunities to local and international artists as...
Explore the rich history of this 200-year-old town with local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill. Discover Clifden’s early industrial sites, including the historic railway station and the 19th-century bridewell (gaol). Visit the...
Renowned underwater cameraman and filmmaker Ken O'Sullivan will perform his unique live show, INTO THE DEEP, sharing his incredible adventures exploring the North Atlantic Ocean. The multi-awardwinning Clare native will...
John Tuomey in Conversation with Martin Hayes In this reflective and enriching memoir, John Tuomey navigates the places and memories of his life over the scope of twenty-five years. John...
with John FitzGerald and Alvy Carragher John FitzGerald, born in Cork in 1962, has lived in Dublin, London, and Florence. He won the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award in 2014,...
200 Years of Connemara History Micheál Mac Suibhne 1760-1820 File mór iarthar Chonamara ab ea Micheál Mac Suibhne a mhair ó 1760 go 1820. Tá ‘Amhrán an Phúca’ ‘Múirnín na...
The Luminosa String Orchestra was launched in November 2018, the brainchild of Lucy Hayward O’Leary, now the executive director, and cellist Nicola Geddes. Since its inception, Luminosa has delivered stunning...
The Burma is an Indie Rock N’ Roll band based in Cork, Ireland, consisting of Tony O'Donovan (vocals), Peter Piggott (lead guitar), and Cian Doherty (drums). Named after The Burma...
Steve Larkin is a practising architect, educator, and fiddle player. He studied architecture at UCD, became a member of the RIAI in 2005, and established Steve Larkin Architects in 2007....
Join us for an exciting, newly-devised choral, instrumental, and spoken work in Irish and English, created by our musical director Máire Ní Dhuibhir. This seven-movement celebration traces key milestones in...
Hermitage Green has been touring sold-out shows across the globe, captivating fans in the Middle East, Australia, North America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Selling out iconic music venues and...
The Elm Tree Day Centre for Mental Health is hosting its annual coffee morning fundraiser at the centre (Old Convent Grounds, Galway Road, Clifden) from 11am to 1pm. The event...
Mick Hanly has had a remarkable career in Irish music with many high points - from his 1974 recording "Celtic Folkweave" with Micheál Ó Domhnaill through to the present day....
Ita O’Donovan from Cork has lived by Mannin Bay for over twenty-five years. In this, her second collection, she celebrates what each day reveals in these beautiful surroundings as the...
Musical families are often the backbone of multi-generational continuity within the global community, and none is more impressive in upholding the best principles of the tradition than the Mulcahys of...
Paula Meehan, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, and Theo Dorgan Paula Meehan, born and raised in Dublin’s north inner city, is an acclaimed poet whose work has garnered both popular and...
Born in Limerick, singer-songwriter Mick Hanly found early inspiration in mid-50s rock 'n' roll and the Liverpool beat group scene of the Sixties. His influences evolved to include American folk...
Research into the Intertidalone Archaeology of the Munster, Connacht and Ulster Coast Michael Gibbons, an independent archaeologist and former Co-Director of the Sites and Monuments Record Office, has transformed our...
Galway-based and internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Ultan Conlon is known for his evocative lyrics, memorable melodies, and mellifluous voice, which have resonated with artists such as Mary Coughlan, Eddi Reader, Gaby...
John O’Donnell’s work has been published and broadcast in Ireland and abroad. His accolades include the Irish National Poetry Prize, the New Irish Writing Awards for Poetry and Fiction, and...
A dance exploring the intricate relationship between bodies, buildings, and memories. Using a blend of audio recordings, archival materials, truths, half-truths, and a touch of accidental fiction, a unique dance...
A dance exploring the intricate relationship between bodies, buildings, and memories. Using a blend of audio recordings, archival materials, truths, half-truths, and a touch of accidental fiction, a unique dance...
by Interface Forest/ry is a short film by Noelle Gallagher, focusing on the restoration of Sitka plantations to biodiverse woodland at Interface in the Inagh Valley. This special screening features...
A dance exploring the intricate relationship between bodies, buildings, and memories. Using a blend of audio recordings, archival materials, truths, half-truths, and a touch of accidental fiction, a unique dance...
Programme: HAYDN Sonata in E minor Hob XVI:34 SCHUMANN Arabeske Op. 8 CLARA WIECK-SCHUMANN Variations on a theme of Robert Schumann Op. 20 SCHUMANN Papillons Op. 2 Interval CHOPIN Three...
Lisa Lambe, an internationally acclaimed Irish folk singer and actor, introduces her new project 'NightVisiting', inspired by her work with the National Folklore Collection and her recent M.A. in Irish...
Explore the rich history of this 200-year-old town with local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill. Discover Clifden’s early industrial sites, including the historic railway station and the 19th-century bridewell (gaol). Visit the...
with music by Harpist Lynn Saoirse Join us for a special reading in memory of our friend and poet Michael Coady, featuring acclaimed writers Áine Ní Ghlinn and Thomas McCarthy....
Mick Conneely and David Munnelly are a dynamic duo renowned for blending tradition and innovation, energy, and precision in their captivating performances. Conneely, a master fiddle player, and Munnelly, a...
Belfast-born Gerry Finnegan dedicated 20 years to the International Labour Organization (ILO), serving in Zambia, Guyana, India, Thailand, and Geneva, Switzerland. In 2006, he assumed the role of Director at...
Annette Cleary, a cellist, trained with renowned instructors like Antonio Janigro and Andre Navarra, earning a Doctorate in Music from DCU. A prizewinner in international competitions, she's soloed with orchestras...
The Mysterious Case of Kitsy Rainey is a new one man show written and performed by Mikel Murfi. Following on from The Man In the Woman's Shoes and I Hear...
Musician Carmel Dempsey made her first Arts Festival appearance in 1983 and has been a regular performer ever since.
Bill O’Leary is a third-generation Washington native, descending from a line of Kerrymen who arrived in the States in the 1890s. Between his grandfather, uncle, cousin, and himself, the O'Leary...
This is a Bi-lingual Event Seán Ó Coisdealbha is a native of An Spidéal, Co galway. A graduate of UCG, where he first honed his skills in the Irish language...
Mairead Hickey (violin) William Hagen (violin) Natanael Ferreira (viola) Aleksey Shadrin (cello) Programme: Mozart - String Quartet in D major K.575 Dave Flynn - The Cranning Dvořák - String Quartet...
with music by James Canavan Moya Roddy’s new poetry collection, The Dark Art of Darning, was described by Rita Ann Higgins as “enthralling, entangled, daring,” and recommended reading with full...
Collected Poems Book Launch Gerard Fanning, was a distinguished poet and civil servant. A UCD graduate, he spent time in Barcelona before joining the Irish Civil Service, where he worked...
Connemara Astronomy Club with Breandan O Scanaill Connemara Astronomy Club was founded in 2019, by a group of excited astronomy enthusiasts who wanted to create an informal, fun and welcoming...
Lorraine Tuck is a photographer from Co Galway. She studied photography at Sallynoggin College, Dublin and graduated with a BA (Hons) Documentary Photography from the University of Wales, Newport College....
Oein DeBhairduin is a writer, activist, and educator dedicated to preserving the beauty of Traveller tales, sayings, retellings, and historic exchanges. He authored the award-winning Why the Moon Travels (Skein...
Greenshine is a Cork-based trio nominated for the RTÉ Folk Awards, consisting of Mary Greene, Noel Shine, and their daughter Ellie. Their music blends Folk, Indie, and Americana, featuring outstanding...
with music by Harpist Kathleen Loughnane Paddy Bushe, born in Dublin, has lived overlooking Ballinskelligs Bay for over fifty years. A poet, editor, and translator in both English and Irish,...
Clifden Film Society, are passionate about bringing the best of independent cinema to their local community. In collaboration with Silent Cinema Galway, they are excited to present Buster Keaton’s classic...
Cherish the Ladies, one of the world’s most acclaimed Irish music ensembles, has captivated audiences for 39 years with their vibrant blend of traditional music, enchanting vocals, and spirited step...
Explore the rich history of this 200-year-old town with local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill. Discover Clifden’s early industrial sites, including the historic railway station and the 19th-century bridewell (gaol). Visit the...
Inishbofin, the largest of a small archipelago, is known for its stunning scenery, rich history, and traditional music. Explore its Bronze Age landscapes, 17th-century fortress, and dramatic coastline on guided...
Michael McDowell has had a distinguished career in Irish politics and law. He was appointed Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Coalition Government in...
Sé Breanndán Ó Beaglaoích an té is óige de chlann ceolmhar ó Chorca Dhuibhne, Ciarraí thiar. Bhunnaigh sé Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh i 2005 le Niamh Ní Bhaoíll. Tá sé...
Nollaig Casey (fiddle/viola) Niall McCabe (vocals/guitar) Mike McGoldrick (flute/uilleann pipes/ whistles) Music Network brings together three extraordinary artists. Mike McGoldrick, renowned for his virtuosity and creativity, has collaborated with Mary...
Don't miss "A Million Medleys," the fantastic new show from country star Michael English! Experience a special concert featuring globally loved, million-selling hits that will leave you wanting more. With...
in aid of the Clifden Community Play-School Building Project Omey, a tidal island accessible on foot, is a place of natural beauty and spiritual significance. The island, home to just...
Rose Anne Kenny is a leading expert in gerontology, serving as the Regius Professor of Physic (Medicine) and Chair of Medical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin. She is the founding...
Fifty years ago, in 1974, the Christian Brothers departed Letterfrack where they had operated St Joseph’s Industrial School since 1888. The history of the school and the experience of the...
Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, winners of the Best Emerging Artists at the 2024 RTÉ Folk Awards, hail from An Áird Mhóir in Connemara, County Galway, deeply rooted in a...
Fairy JIL and her family and friends left a message for Clifden Tidy Towns asking if they could arrange for the children to come out together again. The elves and...
The memorial lecture, named in honour of the Irish philosopher and mystic, John Moriarty, provides an opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of this influential figure in Irish intellectual...
Streetwish Presents: Jim Solo No one can remember when Jim started performing, least of all Jim, but your parents may have recollections of seeing him when they were growing up!...
Presented by Friends of the Vocal Arts in Support of the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition Join us for a spectacular evening of opera at the stunning Kylemore Abbey—an occasion...
LUXE, a renowned procession and landscape theatre group, present a spectacular parade of lights through the town. LUXE brings fire and light to the meeting point of land, sea, and...
Gerry Harrington ~ Irish Traditional Fiddler Gerry Harrington grew up in Kenmare, County Kerry, influenced by some of the great players of the day, including Connie O'Connell, Dennis McMahon, Séamus...
Clifden Film Society invites you to celebrate the life and work of dear friend of the festival Edna O’Brien. Join us for a special screening of the critically acclaimed Irish...
Éamon Ó Cuív has been a dedicated public servant and a passionate advocate for Irish culture, language and rural communities for over four decades. A former Cabinet Minister, he played...
Join our local, special drama group as we celebrate our 10th anniversary with rhyme, poetry and song, “Reeling in the Years”. Founded by: Jean Mullan Artistic director: Rosalind Coyne
Kevin Rafter is Full Professor of Political Communication at DCU and a former political journalist. He has written extensively on Irish politics and media, including acclaimed biographies and histories of...
Johnny Mháirtn Learaí Mac Donnchadha is one of the finest sean-nós singers in Ireland. He has won numerous awards and All Ireland Con Uí Riada for his singing and has...
With Jon Lohman, Director of the Center for Cultural Vibrancy and musical guests Danny Knicely, Cesar Garabini and Fernanda Bravo. Jon Lohman is Executive Director and Founder of the Virginia-based...
Joe McHugh presents his debut one-man show Joe’s Call, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the day he was appointed Minister for the Gaeltacht in 2014. Co-written with Francie Cullen, the...
Explore the rich history of this 200-year-old town with local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill. Discover Clifden’s early industrial sites, including the historic railway station and the 19th-century bridewell (gaol). Visit the...
What began as a weekly gathering among friends with a shared love of folk songs has grown into The Half Room a new vocal group poised to release their self-titled...
Donal Ryan is one of Ireland’s most acclaimed contemporary writers. He is the author of seven number-one bestselling novels and a short story collection, earning praise for his lyrical, compassionate...
Mike Denver, known to many as the “Galway Boy”, is one of Ireland’s top entertainers. Born and raised in the west of Ireland, he has become a household name thanks...
HAY HAY HAY is a night time on-the-street performance in the spirit of a 1960's happening. For over a decade artist Valerie Joyce, creates spontaneous, accessible moments of art in...
Following the success of last year’s festival bus tours, Clifden Arts Festival is delighted to offer a range of expanded art adventures for 2025. Local historian and radio presenter Breandan...
This paper explores how a small provincial Irish brand succeeded in displacing a long-established multinational to become the leader in Ireland’s fiercely competitive tea market, by creatively reflecting the evolving...
The writers’ group is a dynamic force of creativity, boasting members who have accomplished remarkable cultural and artistic feats. Their achievements span various mediums, from the publication of poetry and...
We are thrilled to once again partner with Virginia-based nonprofit The Center for Cultural Vibrancy to present a unique musical collaboration at this year’s festival. Curated by Clifden favourite Danny...
Tiny Mutiny '25 is a free, family-friendly event, celebrating the next generation of artists from County Galway. Produced by Sparkcatchers!, it features work by recipients of this year’s Tiny Mutiny...
Ireland and Cornwall share a common feature in the way that emigration has shaped the world view of its peoples. The economy of Cornwall suffered a devastating blow in the...
Olivia Hassett and Rachel Macmanus are the artists behind the performance art collective Synaptic Space. Their new performance, ‘Push Pull - the dance of control’, tells of their frustration and...
Séamus Ó Flatharta voice, harp, whistles Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta voice, fiddle Ryan Molloy piano Music Network opens its autumn season with a captivating new collaboration, bringing together the extraordinary talents...
Festival Bus Tours Following the success of last year’s festival bus tours, Clifden Arts Festival is delighted to offer a range of expanded art adventures for 2025. Local historian and...
The Elm Tree Day Centre for Mental Health is hosting its annual coffee morning fundraiser at the centre (Old Convent Grounds, Galway Road, Clifden) from 11am to 1pm. The event...
Joan McBreen has published several poetry collections including The Wind Beyond the Wall (1990), A Walled Garden in Moylough (1995)(Salmon Poetry and Story Line Press), Winter in the Eye –...
evin Graham works in environmental risk, specialising in environmental liability. He holds a BSc in Applied Computational Linguistics from Dublin City University. His debut collection, The Lookout Post (2023), received...
Americana blended with the Irish spirit The White Horse Guitar Club is an eleven-strong collective from Cork, blending Americana, roots, and folk with a distinctive Irish sensibility. Known for their...
Michael Gibbons is a renowned archaeologist and expert on the cultural landscapes of Ireland's west coast. He is one of Ireland’s leading field archaeologists. Crannógs are artificial islands built in...
Rita Ann Higgins is the author of thirteen books, including eleven collections of poetry, a memoir and a volume of poems and essays. A playwright and screenwriter as well as...
Grosse Isle are a powerful trio of traditional musicians from Québec and Ireland whose music bridges cultures and histories. Their latest album Homérique tells the stories of legendary figures from...
John MacKenna is the author of twenty-six books. His latest work, 'Father, Son and Brother Ghost', a memoir, was published in 2024. A children's book, 'The Last Irish Wolf', will...
Keith McCoy was born and raised in Newcastle West, County Limerick, and went on to study at university in London. He now lives in Manchester, where he works as a...
Irish pianist John O'Conor has recieved wonderful reviews for his masterly playing for over forty years. Having studied in his native Dublin, in Vienna with Dieter Weber and being tutored...
Unfortunately, tonight’s Méabh Walsh concert (9pm, Clifden Town Hall) has been cancelled. Meadhbh Walsh is a 23-year-old singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and folk artist. A rising star in Irish folk music, she...
Festival Bus Tours Following the success of last year’s festival bus tours, Clifden Arts Festival is delighted to offer a range of expanded art adventures for 2025. Local historian and...
Talk by Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill. The late 19th century was a turbulent and transformative time in Connemara, shaped by sectarian tension, crop failure, agrarian unrest, new infrastructure, and grassroots enterprise. Historian...
Described by the BBC as “simply one of the best folk duos on the planet,” Zoë Conway and John Mc Intyre bring an exciting blend of eclectic fiddle and guitar...
Eilish Martin is a poet and artist with two published collections: 'Slitting the Tongues of Jackdaws (1999)' and 'Ups Bounce Dash (2008)'. Her work features widely in national and international...
Luke Morgan is the recipient of the Lawrence O’Shaughnessy Award 2025, an award given by the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, to an Irish poet. "Blood Atlas", his eagerly awaited...
Flutter-By is a gentle sensory experience for babies and their grown-ups. Perfect for parent and baby groups, support initiatives for new parents or as part of a family festival. Limited...
Following the success of last year’s festival bus tours, Clifden Arts Festival is delighted to offer a range of expanded art adventures for 2025. Local historian and radio presenter Breandan...
Explore the rich history of this 200-year-old town with local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill. Discover Clifden’s early industrial sites, including the historic railway station and the 19th-century bridewell (gaol). Visit the...
Dr Robyn Rowland is an Australian-Irish poet and scholar with over 50 years of publishing experience. She has released 15 books, including notable poetry collections such as Steep Curve and...
Haydn - String Quartet in G major Op.77 No.1 Walter Beckett - String Quartet Tchaikovsky - String Quartet No.1 in D major Founded in 2020, the Banbha Quartet have performed...
Flutter-Bop is an active, playful exploration for toddlers and pre-school children. Ideal for family festivals, parent and toddler groups, crèches, nurseries and other early childhood settings. Limited Spaces available first...
Michael Harding is an acclaimed Irish author, playwright and memoirist; recipient of a Stewart Parker Award for Theatre, a Hennessy Award for fiction, and winner of the Bord Gáis Book...
Introduced by James Harrold This collection marks Michael Quinn's debut as a poet, published by Little Gull Press in Clifden. Under the guidance of poet Patrick Chapman, Quinn dives deep...
Exploring the plants, wildlife, and land use of our boglands, past, present and future Join the Dúlra team from FORUM Connemara for a unique walk-and-talk event as part of Clifden...
Festival Bus Tours Following the success of last year’s festival bus tours, Clifden Arts Festival is delighted to offer a range of expanded art adventures for 2025. Local historian and...
Plight of the Bumble Bee is a compelling short film that dives into the world of bees, exploring their deep ties to Irish religion, folklore, and biodiversity. It highlights their...
Tommy Sands, the legendary singer, songwriter and social activist from County Down, is renowned for his powerful songs of peace and social justice. From his early days with the influential...
Marina Carr is a leading Irish playwright whose works include By the Bog of Cats, Woman and Scarecrow, and iGirl. Her plays have been produced by major theatres worldwide and...
Breda and Tony bring two unique perspectives to Irish mental health care over the past 50 years. Breda, in her book “Unseen”, describes her personal experience as a ‘patient’ who...
Connacht is the brainchild of percussionist Michael McDonagh. His father was the leader of the famed Connacht Céilí Band from Boston. Mike has gathered a group of musicians adept at...
Following the success of last year’s festival bus tours, Clifden Arts Festival is delighted to offer a range of expanded art adventures for 2025. Local historian and radio presenter Breandan...
Explore the rich history of this 200-year-old town with local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill. Discover Clifden’s early industrial sites, including the historic railway station and the 19th-century bridewell (gaol). Visit the...
Celebrated clarinettist and conductor John Finucane joins the internationally renowned ConTempo Quartet John Finucane served as Principal Clarinet with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra for 25 years and has performed...
The festival bus tours are a unique and relaxed way to view private local collections and gain privileged access to venues all around Connemara. More routes have been added this...
Clifden Film Society is honoured to present this screening of 'John Behan: Odyssey' (2024). This documentary explores the life and prolific career of John Behan, widely considered to be Ireland's...
A special 25th anniversary screening of Images of Ourselves, a remarkable documentary created by nineteen women from Connemara as part of a Women's Studies programme delivered by NUI Galway in...
Celebrate the joy of workplace and fun place with our local, special drama group, who express the universal theme of being happy through rhyme, mime, poetry and song Devised and...
Clifden Arts Festival welcomes Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton to officially open the 49th Clifden Arts Festival Celebrations. Minister Naughton was appointed to her current role in November...
An exhibition of the architecture of entrances, porches, foyers and spaces in between, designed by Sheila O’Donnell and John Tuomey. The exhibition will focus on the question of the threshold,...
Explore the rich history of this 200-year-old town with local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill. Discover Clifden’s early industrial sites, including the historic railway station and the 19th century bridewell (gaol). Visit...
Glasgow-born singer-songwriter Michael McGovern blends poetic lyricism, intricate guitar work and folk roots to create a deeply emotive contemporary sound. Since the release of his acclaimed debut album Highfield Suite...
Publishing his novel in April 2026, Alan Esslemont said, “I was always surprised that so little attention had been given to this fascinating and complex woman, Mary Martin, author, encyclopaedist,...
Meeting at the town square in Clifden, Becky Gilmour will lead a litter picking walk from the Town Square to Clifden Sailing Club, where she will talk about her adventures...
Becky Gilmour is an adventure athlete and mental health advocate. In 2025 she became the first person to skateboard the world’s longest coastal route, the Wild Atlantic Way, while raising...
In celebration of Ireland’s national Culture Night, Clifden Arts Festival invites you to join us on a fun filled ‘gallery crawl’ of as many of the exhibition venues that we...
Formed in Galway in 1987 by brothers Steve and Joe Wall, The Stunning became one of Ireland’s most acclaimed and best-loved bands. From the beginning, they carved out a distinctive...
The festival bus tours are a unique and relaxed way to view private local collections and gain privileged access to venues all around Connemara. More routes have been added this...
This talk examines Europe’s increasingly challenging geopolitical position in an era defined by renewed great power competition and democratic backsliding. Europe now faces mounting pressures from multiple directions: an aggressive...
The Famine has been for so long in Irish life a literally unspeakable subject. Given the variety of elements involved, what we have done is put together a kind of...
Three celebrated international musicians, with firm Irish roots, form a new, exciting collaboration and present a colourful and virtuosic program for flute, cello and piano. Featuring Sinéad Farrell (flute), Fiachra...
The writers’ group is a dynamic force of creativity, boasting members who have accomplished remarkable cultural and artistic feats. Their achievements span various mediums, from the publication of poetry and...
Since the world of emigration is much more various than the world represented in HUNGER the emigration we are talking about in this "play for voices" ----after a more wide-ranging...
Cantairí Chonamara choir presents ‘A Lifetime of Notes’, a tribute to the life and work of Irish musician, singer and composer Tomás Ó’Canainn (1930-2013). The concert will celebrate the extensive...
Named for an ancient Celtic harvest festival in honour of the Irish god Lugh, Lúnasa was formed in 1997 from members of some of the greatest Irish groups of the...
2026 celebrates 100 years of Irish radio from the opening night of 2RN on the First of January 1926 through decades of Raidió Éireann and from the 1960s to today,...
The festival bus tours are a unique and relaxed way to view private local collections and gain privileged access to venues all around Connemara. More routes have been added this...
The Elm Tree Day Centre for Mental Health is hosting its annual coffee morning fundraiser at the centre (Old Convent Grounds, Galway Road, Clifden) from 11am to 1pm. The event...
The Irish Guitar Quartet is comprised of Ireland’s most talented and versatile classical guitarists and is one of Ireland’s premier instrumental ensembles. Jerry Creedon, David Keating , Aengus Kirakowski are...
A talk by Charlie Bourke about his recent trip with his wife Marie to India to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Mayo College, Ajmer which was founded by his...
Meet the five artists of AKIN amidst their Clifden Arts Festival exhibition. This ‘in conversation’ with James Harrold, former arts officer for Galway, will explore a lively and wide-ranging discussion...
Join Connemara Astronomy Club for a talk on the wonders of the night sky and the art of astrophotography. We will look at different styles of astrophotography, from detailed close-ups...
Following a sold-out national run last year, Niall Breslin and The Polaris Quartet return with a renewed series of performances across Ireland. The tour follows the release of Breslin’s latest...
Frances Fitzgerald is an international leader on equality who is proud to serve as the first ambassador for Ruhama. She is currently serving a two-year term on the Gender Equality...
Harper Laoise Kelly is from Westport, county Mayo and now lives on Achill Island. In 2020 she was awarded TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year. She has recorded three...
With an exciting blend of eclectic fiddle and guitar music, Zoë Conway and John Mc Intyre bring to the stage sympathetic arrangements of traditional Irish music, compositions and songs, old...
Join Doire Press award-winning writers Órfhlaith Foyle and John O’Donnell for a captivating afternoon reading of short stories. Galway-based Órfhlaith Foyle will be reading from her most recent collection, The...
In this programme, composer, uilleann piper, flute and fiddle player Emer Mayock and poet Terry McDonagh blend original and traditional music with poetry in a unique, engaging exchange. Their work...
The festival bus tours are a unique and relaxed way to view private local collections and gain privileged access to venues all around Connemara. More routes have been added this...
Explore the rich history of this 200-year-old town with local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill. Discover Clifden’s early industrial sites, including the historic railway station and the 19th century bridewell (gaol). Visit...
From Killary Harbour to Lough Mask: Exploring 8,000 Years of the Landscape, Archaeology and History of the Joyce Country and Western Lakes UNESCO Geopark Ón Chaolaire go Loch Measc: Ag...
John spent his early years in London where he worked with Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger who had an inspirational influence on him. In the early years as well as...
Poet, editor and journalist Cathy Galvin lives in Cornwall and has roots in Connemara. Her collection, Ethnology, A Love Song for Connemara, was published by Bloodaxe Books in Ireland and...
John Bosco McLaine is a man who has never lain down with a woman, but has had romantic blood pulsing through his veins all his life. Always an optimist, and...
LUXE are creating a new body of landscape spectacle work, a journey that celebrates the rich Irish legacy of women and the sea, the fabulous voyages that our ancestors made...
Scotland’s internationally acclaimed and mesmerising songstress, Eddi Reader, of Fairground Attraction fame joins Ireland’s piano accordion maestro, Alan Kelly and his gang of acclaimed musicians featuring Steph Geremia on flute and vocals,...
Wild Conamara is a thrilling adventure exploring the region’s remotest corners and meeting the wild creatures that call this remarkable place home. Host Eoin Warner brings audiences from sea to...
The Lir Quartet brings together three of our finest musicians with Scottish violinist Sophie Williams in a superb programme including masterpieces by an elderly Haydn and a young Mendelssohn alongside...
Join Antony Farrell publisher, and John Tuomey architect, in conversation around the topic of memoir writing and storytelling. In Middle Quarter, John Tuomey continues the story of his life in...
Our friends at the Center for Cultural Vibrancy are back again for their 5th year. The US-based cultural nonprofit will be bringing a quartet of superb traditional bluegrass musicians from...
Mairtin O'Connor, Cathal Hayden and Seamie O'Dowd have been described as Irish Music's own power trio. The last twenty years of this renowned trio of individually recognised figureheads of the...
Dr. Rachael Hegarty is a Dubliner, poet, educator and broadcaster. Her poetry collections have won awards and critical acclaim. Her new collection is called Saints Alive – A Kinda Novena. Rachael’s...
This distinguished ensemble brings together four acclaimed musicians whose careers span performance, composition, teaching and artistic leadership. Violinist Katherine Hunka, recently named Leader Emeritus of the Irish Chamber Orchestra after...
Johnny Mháirtn Learaí Mac Donnchadha is one of the finest sean-nós singers in Ireland. He has won numerous awards and All Ireland Con Uí Riada for his singing and has...
“To the makers of music — all worlds, all times…” Those words were etched onto the Golden Records launched aboard NASA’s Voyager spacecraft in 1977, humanity’s message to the cosmos,...
We are delighted to welcome to this year’s Arts Festival Ami Oma who hails from Tokyo. Ami is currently a resident of Clifden and what a privilege to have her...
Seán Keane, from County Galway, is one of Ireland’s most distinctive and celebrated vocalists, renowned for a voice that moves effortlessly between traditional Irish, folk, country and blues. Raised in...
Explore the rich history of this 200-year-old town with local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill. Discover Clifden’s early industrial sites, including the historic railway station and the 19th century bridewell (gaol). Visit...
Famed for its magnificent scenery, relaxed lifestyle, and traditional music. Inishbofin settled since at least 5000 years ago and contains some of the best surviving Bronze Age landscapes on the...
How did the new Irish Free State fare in the first decade after its establishment in 1922? Was it an increasingly conservative and confessional state or an exemplary (and in...
This talk will give an insight into Clarke’s current practice as a sculptor, and former practice as an illustrator, both from a practical and a philosophical point of view. He...
Three outstanding musicians with deep roots in the Sliabh Luachra tradition come together for a performance shaped by decades of experience and musical collaboration. Accordion player Jackie Daly, described by...
INDIFFERENCE A Genocide and Our Part In It Lecture and Audience Discussion Fintan Drury’s two recent books Catastrophe: Nakba II, and Genocide: Sponsoring the Destruction of Palestine, (Merrion Press) examine...
Jo Anne Butler and Tara Kennedy have worked together across art, architecture, and design for almost twenty years. In this talk, they will discuss self-initiated design projects, their work with...
Programme: Mozart Divertimento in Bb major K137/125b Bach Concerto for Three Violins BWV1064R with Soloists Paul Ezerailis, Bogdan Sofei and Ingrid Nicola Shostakovich Chamber Symphony in C Minor Op. 110a...
Big Bag of Sticks is a Galway-based six-piece band that began in the early nineties. The music is a blend of original and traditional music with an eclectic blend of...
Fresh off winning 'Female Entertainer of the Year' and previously voted Female vocalist of the year at the Irish Country Music Awards, Claudia Buckley is bringing her brand new production...
Omey, a tidal island accessible on foot, is a beautiful place of rock and sand and a spiritual place with secret monastic sites. Omey is home to only a few...
Marcus Hernon is an all-Ireland champion flute player, flute maker, and composer from the Carna region of Connemara. He has composed over 25 pieces of music with some of his...
Fairy JIL and her family and friends left a message for Clifden Tidy Towns asking if they could arrange for the children to come out together again. Our magical friends...
German Baroque Motets Resurgam was founded in 2003 by Mark Duley and is one of Ireland's most acclaimed vocal ensembles. Resurgam is the premier project-based professional choir in the country,...
Anne Donnellan has published two collections of poetry with Revival Press Limerick. Her second collection If Only We Could Bottle It was brought out in December 2025. Anne’s work has...
LUXE, a renowned procession and landscape theatre group, present a spectacular parade of lights through the town. LUXE brings fire and light to the meeting point of land, sea, and...
Colm is a violinist and award-winning multiinstrumentalist Composer. He writes for feature film, contemporary dance, animation and has also been writing music for television and theatre. His music has been...
Triskele is an all-female Celtic band out of Albany, NY. They are known for their stunning harmonies, singing the Irish and for their Irish wit. These ladies perform traditional, original...
