A free online opening with Matt Cranitch, then six headline concerts and Festival Club nights in Castleisland, Co. Kerry. Tickets are on sale now — the Session Trail, workshops, singing events and free events will be announced here shortly.
Ticketed Events
The festival opens online on Tuesday 20 October with a free workshop from Matt Cranitch, followed by the six ticketed highlights of the 34th festival, in order of night.
Matt Cranitch — Patrick’s Legacy: The Tunes & How to Play Them
Join us online for the official opening of this year’s festival with the great Matt Cranitch, who will present a special free workshop exploring the music, playing style and traditions of Patrick O’Keeffe and Sliabh Luachra.
The festival opens with one of the most distinctive young voices in Irish traditional singing, back in Castleisland after last year’s sold-out concert.
with Damien Mullane & Seán O’Meara, plus Flat to the Matt
One of the most celebrated names in Irish traditional music comes to Castleisland, with support from Damien Mullane and Seán O’Meara.
MC’d by Matt Cranitch · Emma O’Leary, Anne McAuliffe, Nicky McAuliffe & Con Moynihan · Diarmuid O’Brien, Róisín O’Connor & Aoife Ní Chaoimh · Gerry Harrington & Aidan Connolly · Seán Fleming, Máiréad Clancy, Olivia Tarrant & Clara O’Brien · special guest Liam O’Connor · Matt Cranitch & Caoimhe Flannery
An afternoon of Sliabh Luachra fiddle playing, MC’d by Matt Cranitch, with some of the region’s finest fiddlers and a special guest, Liam O’Connor.
Jackie Daly, Matt Cranitch & Paul de Grae · Leonard Barry · Caoimhe & Éimhear Flannery · Gearóid Keating & Máiréad Corridan · Andrea Palandri · Mike Kelliher & Dónal Cullinane · Paudie O’Connor, Joe O’Sullivan, Aoife Ní Chaoimh & Eiblín de Paor · Lifetime Achievement Award — Gerry Harrington · Young Musicians of the Year Award
The marquee event of the Sliabh Luachra year — a celebration of the region’s distinctive polkas, slides and slow airs.
High-octane, up-tempo traditional music late into the night, followed by a Trad Disco with DJ Conor Crimmins. This is a Halloween-themed event, and fancy dress is encouraged!
Noel Hill & Liam O’Connor · Pauline Scanlon · Liz Kane & Danny O’Mahony · Aidan Connolly & Bryan O’Leary
The grand finale — a spectacular line-up of Irish traditional music’s finest for one unforgettable night. Begins at 7:00 pm sharp.
Pólca 4, followed by Trad Disco with DJ Conor Crimmins
Pólca 4 bring the festival to a close with a night of high-octane trad, followed by a late-night Trad Disco.
9:00 pm
Session Trail begins
Various venues around Castleisland
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Sliabh Luachra Teenage Trad Session
St John’s Hall, Castleisland
12:00 pm
Raidió na Gaeltachta Live Broadcast & An Ródaí Live
Main Street, Castleisland
3:00 pm
Friday Session Trail begins
Various venues around Castleisland
Continuing throughout the evening and night.
11:30 am
Session Trail resumes
Bars of Castleisland
Continuing throughout the day and night.
11:00 am
Classes & Workshops on All Instruments
Gaelscoil Aogáin / St Patrick’s Secondary School
2:00 pm
Pop-Up Gaeltacht
Castleisland Museum
3:30 pm
Singing Concert
Hartnett’s Bar
With Pauline Scanlon, Piaras Ó Lorcáin, Trevor Sexton and Tim Dennehy.
11:00 am
Sliabh Luachra Workshop with Aidan Connolly
Ivy Leaf Arts Centre
Free event. For intermediate to advanced players.
Book your free place11:00 am–5:00 pm
RTÉ: 100 Years of Archival Footage from Sliabh Luachra
Castleisland Museum
2:00 pm
Céilí Mór with the Donie Nolan Céilí Band
An Ríocht Pavilion
3:00 pm
Kids Session
Ivy Leaf Arts Centre
Led by Emma O’Leary and Niamh Dalton. Open to all ages and abilities.
4:00 pm
Open Singing Session
Con’s Bar (downstairs), River Island Hotel
Hosted by Joe Walsh.
All day
Session Trail
Various venues around Castleisland
Continuing throughout the day and night.
All day
Closing Day Session Trail
Various venues around Castleisland
Traditional music sessions continuing throughout the day and evening.
Also During the Festival
Beyond the ticketed concerts, the festival fills Castleisland with sessions, classes and free music from Thursday to Monday. Full listings are being finalised and will appear here.
Pub sessions across Castleisland through the weekend, free and open to all. Venues and times to be announced.
View the 2025 trailFiddle, accordion, concertina, flute and more, with tutors steeped in the Sliabh Luachra tradition.
Book workshopsSinging sessions and recitals celebrating the song tradition of Sliabh Luachra and beyond.
Ask about singing eventsStreet music, recitals, talks and family events running throughout the festival weekend.
Ask about free eventsThe full programmes from previous years are kept as an archive, including the 2025 festival and its Session Trail.
Keep the music playing
The Patrick O’Keeffe Festival is brought to life by volunteers from our community. Your donation helps us keep traditional music alive in Sliabh Luachra and share its tunes, stories and spirit with generations to come.
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