22–26 October 2026
Session Trail 2026
Ireland's biggest traditional music session trail — free sessions across the pubs and venues of Castleisland, from Thursday 22nd to Monday 26th October 2026.
Download the 2026 programme booklet (PDF)Important Session Trail Update
Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the Festival's control, the Rugby Club will no longer feature on this year's Session Trail. All affected sessions have been relocated. Please check the updated venues and times.
Add a day to your calendar
Thursday · 22 OctoberOpening Night
- 11:00am–6:00pm dailyInward and Outward — Art Exhibition by Agnes Boes (Thursday 22 – Monday 26 October) — Ivy Leaf Arts Centre · Free
- 8:00pmPiaras Ó Lorcáin in Concert — Gala Hall, River Island Hotel · €25Sold out
- 8:30pmFestival Session Trail begins — Various pubs and venues throughout Castleisland · Free
| Location | Time | Musicians |
|---|---|---|
| Shoemakers Back Bar | 8:30pm | Con Moynihan, Denis O'Connor, Bryan O'Leary |
| The Kingdom Bar | 8:30pm | Michael Healy, Kirill Healy, Brian Scannell |
| Tom McCarthy's Front Bar | 8:30pm | Eilis Murphy, Jonathan Roche and friends |
| Kearney's Bar | 9:00pm | Seán Butler, Dónal Cullinane and friends |
| Brownes Front Bar | 9:30pm | Tom O'Connell, Mike Brosnan, Cathal Flood |
| Hartnett's Bar | 10:00pm | Paudie O'Connor, Joe O'Sullivan, Aoife Ní Chaoimh, Eibhlín de Paor |
| Brownes Back Bar | 10:00pm | Open Session |
Friday · 23 October
- 10:00am–12:00pmSliabh Luachra Teenage Trad Session — St John's Hall, Castleisland
- 12:00pmRaidió na Gaeltachta Live from the Festival — Main Street, Castleisland
- 3:00pm onwardsFestival Session Trail — Various pubs and venues throughout Castleisland · Free
- 8:00pmDervish in Concert with Damien Mullane & Seán O'Meara and Flat to the Matt — Gala Hall, River Island Hotel · €30
| Location | Time | Musicians |
|---|---|---|
| Kearney's Bar | 4:00pm | Caoilte Morrisson, Ryan Sheridan, Andrew Caden, Conor McDonagh, Paudie O'Connor |
| Brownes Front Bar | 5:00pm | Oran Kelly, Oisín Duffy, Nathan Gourley, Aidan Quigney |
| River Island Con's Bar Downstairs | 6:00pm | Mick Culloty, Seán Abeyta, PJ Teehan, Rhona O'Driscoll, Gerry Harrington |
| Hartnett's Bar | 6:30pm | Amhlaoibh Ó Siocháin, Conor Daly, Tom Ahern and friends |
| Éabha Jones | 6:30pm | Nicky McAuliffe, Anne McAuliffe, Eibhlín de Paor, Mike Kelliher |
| Brownes Front Bar | 9:00pm | Daithí Gormley, Liz Kane, Yvonne Kane, Michael O'Connor |
| Shoemakers Front Bar | 9:00pm | Liam O'Brien, Deirdre Hurley, Padraic Mac Donnacha, Graham Guerin |
| Tom McCarthy's Front Bar | 9:00pm | Derek Hickey, Liam Flanagan, Caoimhín Ó Fearghaill, Paddy Tutty, Donie Nolan |
| River Island La Bodega | 9:00pm | Megan McGinley, Nia Byrne, Turlough Malone, Lily O'Connor, Liam Winnett |
| Brownes Back Bar | 9:30pm | Greta Curtin, Jessie Healy, Kealan O'Connor, Laura Jo Callaghan, Haley Holly |
| Shoemakers Back Bar | 9:30pm | Aaron Glancy, Seán Kelliher, Rebecca McCarthy Kent, Leonard Barry, Cian Fitzgerald, Louis Murphy |
| The Kingdom Bar | 9:30pm | Paudie O'Connor, Conal Ó Gráda, Aoife Ní Chaoimh, Peter Browne, Joe Thoma |
| Tom McCarthy's Kitchen | 9:30pm | Jackie Daly, Matt Cranitch, Paul de Grae |
| Kearney's Bar | 9:30pm | Madden's Belfast On Tour — Oisín Murphy, Erin Rose Ní Mhaoláin, Piaras Mac Maoláin, Peter McKenna, Kiernan Lynch |
| Hartnett's Bar | 10:00pm | Keelan McGrath, John Paul Reynolds, Fionn O'Hanlon, Nathan Gourley |
| River Island Con's Bar Downstairs | 10:00pm | Danny Collins, Claire Fennell, Aoife Granville, Deirdre Granville |
Saturday · 24 OctoberDaytime Trail
- 11:00amTraditional Music Classes & Workshops — Gaelscoil Aogáin and St Patrick’s Secondary School · €20 per workshop — book in advance
- 11:30am onwardsFestival Session Trail — Various pubs and venues throughout Castleisland · Free
- 2:00pmSliabh Luachra Fiddle Recital (MC: Matt Cranitch) — Ivy Leaf Arts Centre · €10 — free for Saturday workshop participants
- 2:00pmPop-Up Gaeltacht, hosted by Éamonn Ó Braonáin — Castleisland Museum · Free
- 3:00pmTraditional Singing Concert (MC: Aileen Roantree) — Pauline Scanlon, Trevor Sexton, Tim Dennehy, Piaras Ó Lorcáin, Seamie O'Dowd — Hartnett's Bar · €10
| Location | Time | Musicians |
|---|---|---|
| Hartnett's Bar | 12:00pm | Damien Mullane, Jeremy Spencer, Seán O'Meara, Conor Broderick |
| Brownes Front Bar | 12:00pm | Andrew Caden, Conor McDonagh, Ryan Sheridan, Caoilte Morrisson, Naoise O'Connor, Andrea Palandri |
| Tom McCarthy's Front Bar | 12:00pm | Páraic Mac Donnacha, Oran Kelly, Oisín Duffy, Aidan Quigney |
| Kearney's Bar | 12:00pm | Danny Collins, Claire Fennell, Michael O'Connor |
| Shoemakers Front Bar | 12:30pm | Conor Moriarty, Deirdre Meachair, Leonard Barry |
| Brownes Back Bar | 1:00pm | Derek Hickey, Liam Flanagan, Steve Larkin, Caoimhín Ó Fearghaill |
| Shoemakers Back Bar | 1:00pm | John Carroll, Gearóid Keating, Deirdre Granville, Aoife Granville, Patsy Broderick |
| The Kingdom Bar | 1:00pm | Megan McGinley, Nia Byrne, Lily O'Connor, Jane Walls |
| Castleisland Museum | 2:00pm | Pop-Up Gaeltacht |
| Tom McCarthy's Kitchen | 2:00pm | Keelan McGrath, John Paul Reynolds, Fionn O'Hanlon, Tom Ahern |
| River Island Con's Bar Downstairs | 2:00pm | Aaron Glancy, Liam Winnett, Conor Daly, Micheál Broderick |
| Hartnett's Bar | 3:00pm | Singing Concert — Pauline Scanlon, Trevor Sexton, Tim Dennehy, Piaras Ó Lorcáin, Seamie O'Dowd (Admission €10) |
| Brownes Front Bar | 3:00pm | Danny O'Mahony, Liz Kane, Yvonne Kane, Nathan Gourley |
| Tom McCarthy's Front Bar | 3:00pm | Carthach Ó Faoláin, Niamh Dalton, Colm Broderick |
| Shoemakers Front Bar | 3:30pm | Tom Morrow, Daithí Gormley, Paddy Tutty, Conal Ó Gráda |
| Castleisland Museum | 4:00pm | Michael Healy, Kirill Healy, Eilis Murphy, Mike Rice |
| Shoemakers Back Bar | 4:00pm | Bryan O'Leary, Colm Guilfoyle, Billy O'Gorman, Mikie O'Gorman |
| The Kingdom Bar | 4:00pm | Oran Kelly, Oisín Duffy, Aidan Quigney, Laura Jo Callaghan |
| Kearney's Bar | 4:00pm | Johnny Óg Connolly, Clíodhna Costello, Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill |
| River Island Con's Bar Downstairs | 4:30pm | Tom O'Connell, Mike Kelliher, Cathal Flood |
| Brownes Back Bar | 5:00pm | Sliabh Luachra Meets Europe — Andrea Palandri, Paudie O'Connor, Michele Bellarosa, Aoife Ní Chaoimh |
| Éabha Jones | 6:00pm | Derek Hickey, Liam Flanagan, Caoimhín Ó Fearghaill |
| Tom McCarthy's Kitchen | 6:30pm | Open Session |
| River Island Con's Bar Downstairs | 7:00pm | Éamonn Ó Meachair, Conor McDonagh, Andrew Caden, Ryan Sheridan, Peter Browne (guitar) |
Saturday · 24 OctoberNight Trail
- 7:00pmThe Sliabh Luachra Concert, in association with Divanes Kerry — Gala Hall, River Island Hotel · €25
- 10:30pmFestival Club: Night 1 — Samhain Chiarraí, with the Trad Disco (over 18s, online tickets only) — NightOwls Nightclub, River Island Hotel · €20
| Location | Time | Musicians |
|---|---|---|
| Brownes Front Bar | 6:00pm | Liam O'Brien, Deirdre Hurley, Paddy Tutty, Jillian O'Malley |
| Tom McCarthy's Front Bar | 6:30pm | Joe Mannion, Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill, Diarmuid O'Brien, Donal O'Sullivan |
| Hartnett's Bar | 7:00pm | Emma O'Leary, Aidan Connolly, Carthach Ó Faoláin |
| Shoemakers Back Bar | 7:00pm | Danny Collins, Claire Fennell, Lily O'Connor, Conor Arkins |
| Shoemakers Front Bar | 7:00pm | Liz Kane, Yvonne Kane, Danny O'Mahony |
| The Kingdom Bar | 7:00pm | Seán Butler, Eoin Foley, Cieran Murphy, Timmy Keane, Róisín O'Connor |
| Kearney's Bar | 7:00pm | Padraic Mac Donnacha, Liam Kelly, Tom Morrow, Graham Guerin |
| Tom McCarthy's Kitchen | 9:00pm | Gearóid Keating, John Canny, Diarmuid O'Brien, Máiréad Corridan |
| O'Riada's Bar | 9:00pm | Jonathan Roche, Eilis Murphy, Mike Rice and friends |
| Brownes Front Bar | 9:30pm | Damien Mullane, Jeremy Spencer, Seán O'Meara, Conor Broderick |
| Hartnett's Bar | 10:00pm | Madden's Belfast On Tour — Oisín Murphy, Erin Rose Ní Mhaoláin, Piaras Mac Maoláin, Peter McKenna, Kiernan Lynch |
| Brownes Back Bar | 10:00pm | Leonard Barry, Liam Kelly, Megan McGinley, Seamie O'Dowd, Nia Byrne |
| Shoemakers Back Bar | 10:00pm | UCC Battle of Bands Winners — Cathal Slattery, Tadhg Dalton, Cian Fitzgerald, Louis Murphy |
| Shoemakers Front Bar | 10:00pm | Johnny Óg Connolly, Clíodhna Costello, Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill, Éamonn O'Riordan |
| The Kingdom Bar | 10:00pm | Aoife Granville, Deirdre Granville, Marie O'Gorman, Kate O'Gorman, Keelan McGrath, John Paul Reynolds, Fionn O'Hanlon, Liam Winnett |
| Tom McCarthy's Front Bar | 10:00pm | Tom Morrow, Daithí Gormley, Paddy Tutty, Conal Ó Gráda |
| Kearney's Bar | 10:00pm | Joe Mannion, Caoilte Morrisson, Éamonn Ó Meachair, Peter Browne (guitar) |
| River Island Con's Bar Downstairs | 10:00pm | Oran Kelly, Oisín Duffy, Aidan Quigney, Laura Jo Callaghan |
Sunday · 25 OctoberDaytime Trail
- 11:00amSliabh Luachra Workshop with Aidan Connolly — Ivy Leaf Arts Centre · Free — advance booking essential
- 11:00am–5:00pmRTÉ 100: Sliabh Luachra in the Archives (exhibition) — Castleisland Museum
- 11:30amFestival Mass with Traditional Music Accompaniment — Followed by a musical remembrance at Mike Kenny's grave, St John's Graveyard, then Patrick O'Keeffe's grave, Kilmurry, Cordal
- 2:00pmChildren's Traditional Music Session, led by Emma O'Leary & Niamh Dalton — Ivy Leaf Arts Centre · Free
- 3:00pmCéilí Mór with the Donie Nolan Céilí Band — An Ríocht Pavilion, Castleisland
- 4:00pmOpen Singing Session, hosted by Joe Walsh — Con's Bar (Downstairs), River Island Hotel · Free
| Location | Time | Musicians |
|---|---|---|
| Castleisland Museum | 11:00am | RTÉ 100: Rolling Wave Photo Exhibition (until 5:00pm) |
| Shoemakers Front Bar | 12:00pm | Liam O'Brien, Deirdre Hurley, Naoise O'Connor, Steve Larkin |
| Tom McCarthy's Kitchen | 12:00pm | Colm Broderick, Niamh Dalton, Colm Guilfoyle, Carthach Ó Faoláin |
| Kearney's Bar | 12:00pm | Danny O'Mahony, Liz Kane, Yvonne Kane |
| Hartnett's Bar | 12:30pm | Keelan McGrath, John Paul Reynolds, Fionn O'Hanlon |
| Brownes Front Bar | 12:30pm | Noel Hill, Andrew Caden, Conor McDonagh, Ryan Sheridan |
| The Kingdom Bar | 12:30pm | Joe Mannion, Megan McGinley, Turlough Malone |
| Shoemakers Back Bar | 1:00pm | Greta Curtin, Jessie Healy, Kealan O'Connor, Darragh Horan |
| Tom McCarthy's Front Bar | 1:30pm | Bryan O'Leary, Mikie O'Gorman, Michael O'Connor, Billy O'Gorman |
| Brownes Back Bar | 2:00pm | Annalise Whyte, Mikaela Ní Mhurchú, Róisín O'Connor, Tom Ahern |
| Shoemakers Front Bar | 3:00pm | Aidan Connolly, Éamonn O'Riordan, Conor Daly, Nathan Gourley |
| Kearney's Bar | 3:00pm | Eileen de Paor, Ciaran Kelly, Gerry Harrington, Peter Browne (pipes), Billy Clifford |
| River Island La Bodega | 3:00pm | Johnny Óg Connolly, Clíodhna Costello, Paudie O'Connor, Aoife Ní Chaoimh, Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill |
| Hartnett's Bar | 3:30pm | Liam Winnett, Megan McGinley, Caoilte Morrisson, Turlough Malone |
| The Kingdom Bar | 3:30pm | Damien Mullane, Jeremy Spencer, Seán O'Meara, Conor Broderick |
| Brownes Front Bar | 4:00pm | Jackie Daly, Matt Cranitch, Paul de Grae |
| Shoemakers Back Bar | 4:00pm | Danny Collins, Claire Fennell, Jillian O'Malley |
| River Island Con's Bar Downstairs | 4:00pm | Open Singing Session — All Singers Welcome, hosted by Joe Walsh |
| Tom McCarthy's Kitchen | 4:30pm | Michael Healy, Brian Scannell, Róisín O'Connor, Kirill Healy |
| Éabha Jones | 6:00pm | Páraic Mac Donnchadha, Éamonn O'Riordan, Graham Guerin |
| Brownes Back Bar | 6:00pm | Joe Mannion, Éamonn Ó Meachair, Nia Byrne, Naoise O'Connor |
| Tom McCarthy's Front Bar | 6:00pm | UCC Tradfest Battle of Band Winners — Cathal Slattery, Tadhg Dalton, Cian Fitzgerald, Louis Murphy |
Sunday · 25 OctoberNight Trail
- 7:00pmTrad All-Stars Concert, in association with Right Group — Gala Hall, River Island Hotel · €30
- 10:30pmFestival Club: Night 2 — Pólca 4, with the Trad Disco (over 18s) — NightOwls Nightclub, River Island Hotel · €20
| Location | Time | Musicians |
|---|---|---|
| Shoemakers Front Bar | 6:00pm | Annalise Whyte, Caoilte Morrisson, Jane Walls, Eoin Murphy, Emma Kelly |
| Hartnett's Bar | 6:30pm | Rebecca McCarthy Kent, Seán Kelliher, Aaron Glancy, Conor Daly |
| The Kingdom Bar | 6:30pm | John Carroll, Emma O'Leary, Cathal Flood |
| Shoemakers Back Bar | 7:00pm | Amhlaoibh Ó Siocháin, Cian O'Grady, Laura Jo O'Callaghan |
| Kearney's Bar | 7:00pm | Madden's Belfast On Tour — Oisín Murphy, Erin Rose Ní Mhaoláin, Piaras Mac Maoláin, Peter McKenna |
| River Island Con's Bar Downstairs | 7:00pm | Liam Kelly, Liam O'Brien, Deirdre Hurley |
| Tom McCarthy's Front Bar | 9:00pm | Tom Morrow, Paddy Tutty, Conal Ó Gráda, Keelan McGrath |
| O'Riada's Bar | 9:00pm | Jackie Daly, Matt Cranitch, Paul de Grae, Peter Browne (pipes) |
| Hartnett's Bar | 9:30pm | Greta Curtin, Jessie Healy, Kealan O'Connor, Darragh Horan |
| Brownes Front Bar | 9:30pm | Mikie O'Gorman, Eoin O'Driscoll, Michael O'Connor, Billy O'Gorman, Colm Guilfoyle |
| Brownes Back Bar | 9:30pm | Eilis Murphy, Jonathan Roche, Dónal Cullinane, Cathal Flood |
| River Island Con's Bar Downstairs | 9:30pm | Kevin O'Neill, Conor Daly, Marie O'Gorman, Kate O'Gorman |
| Shoemakers Back Bar | 10:00pm | Aaron Glancy, Rebecca McCarthy Kent, Seán Kelliher, Conor Daly |
| Shoemakers Front Bar | 10:00pm | Derek Hickey, Liam Flanagan, Caoimhín Ó Fearghaill, Peter Browne (guitar) |
| The Kingdom Bar | 10:00pm | Damien Mullane, Seán O'Meara, Conor Broderick |
| Kearney's Bar | 10:00pm | Amhlaoibh Ó Siocháin, John Paul Reynolds, Fionn O'Hanlon |
| River Island La Bodega | 10:00pm | UCC Tradfest Battle of Band Winners — Cathal Slattery, Tadhg Dalton, Cian Fitzgerald, Louis Murphy |
Monday · 26 OctoberClosing Day
The festival concludes with another day of traditional music, with sessions continuing throughout the afternoon and evening. Admission free.
| Location | Time | Musicians |
|---|---|---|
| Kearney's Bar | 1:00pm | Con Moynihan, Denis O'Connor, Joe O'Sullivan, Gerald Culhane |
| River Island Con's Bar Downstairs | 1:00pm | Open Session |
| Hartnett's Bar | 2:00pm | Eilis Murphy, Jonathan Roche, Cathal Flood, Eddie Hennesy |
| O'Riada's Bar | 2:00pm | Michael Healy, Kirill Healy, Róisín O'Connor, Paudie O'Connor, Aoife Ní Chaoimh |
| Brownes Front Bar | 3:00pm | John Brosnan, Tim Kerins and friends |
| Shoemakers Back Bar | 3:00pm | Greta Curtin, Kevin Murphy, Jessie Healy, Kealan O'Connor, Eoin Murphy |
| The Kingdom Bar | 4:00pm | Gearóid Keating, Eibhlín de Paor, Donie Nolan |
| Tom McCarthy's Front Bar | 4:30pm | Mick Culloty, PJ Teehan, Seán Abeyta, Rhona O'Driscoll |
| Hartnett's Bar | 7:30pm | Greta Curtin, Jessie Healy, Eoin Murphy |
| Brownes Front Bar | 9:00pm | Seán Butler, Eoin Foley, Cieran Murphy, Timmy Keane |
The 2026 festival programme
The full 34th Patrick O’Keeffe Festival guide — welcome message, concerts, workshops, the Session Trail, and features on our 2026 award winners.
Download the programme (PDF, 8 MB)