Clifden Arts Festival 2026 officially launched this week
49th festival gets underway with an evening celebrating community, creativity and the arts
The 49th Clifden Arts Festival has officially got underway following a launch event at the Station House Theatre last night (Thursday, September 17) by Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton.
The opening evening featured music and dance from Marie Walsh and Clifden Comhaltas, together with True North, marking the beginning of eleven days of music, literature, visual art, theatre, film, poetry and community events across Connemara.
Running from 17 to 27 September, this year’s festival is presented under the theme “OPEN – A Festival of Welcome, Encounter and Possibility”, reflecting the event’s long-standing commitment to bringing people together through the arts.
Over the eleven-day programme, Clifden and the surrounding area will become a hub for artistic activity, with exhibitions, performances, talks, workshops, screenings and community events taking place throughout the town and wider area.
Among the musical highlights are performances by The Stunning and Lúnasa, alongside appearances from Niall Breslin & The Polaris Quartet, Laoise Kelly, Fiachna Ó Braonáin, Tom Dunne, Claudia Buckley, Caoilte Ó Cuanaigh, Alan Connor, Lir Quartet and Solas.
Visual art also features in this year’s programme. Exhibitions and installations across Clifden include Returning Tides by Lynda Bremner and Kilnfire – A CLAYGalway Exhibition, showcasing a range of artistic practices in sculpture, ceramics and pottery.
The festival will also present Threshold: O’Donnell + Tuomey, exploring the work of renowned Irish architects Sheila O’Donnell and John Tuomey, as part of a wider programme of exhibitions, talks and events.
Community participation remains a key feature of the festival, with local schools, artists, musicians, performers and community groups taking part alongside nationally and internationally recognised artists.
Now in its 49th year, the Clifden Arts Festival continues its tradition of bringing artists and audiences together in the heart of Connemara. The programme is designed to welcome both returning festival-goers and first-time visitors to venues throughout Clifden.
The 49th Clifden Arts Festival runs until September 27, 2026.
For the full programme and ticket information, visit the Clifden Arts Festival website.