Westival back bigger and better for a 49th time

Westival (Westport Music and Arts Festival) has this evening launched it 2024 programme with Irish band Pillow Queens announced as the big headline act. The launch commences the 49th year of the West of Ireland’s longest running music and arts festival.

This year's festival will take place from October 23 to 28 at venues all over the town, and tickets are now available at the newly launched website, www.westival.ie.

Pillow Queens, who recently played support to Snow Patrol at their sold out gig at Thomond Park in Limerick, take Westival's headline spot with the first date in their highly anticipated Irish tour. Other highlights across the weekend include John Spillane, Sunday’s Child Theatre, Maxine Peake, Alan Friel, Achill Sound, Custom House Gallery, Easkey Britton, Clew Bay Folk Club, Westport Jazz, and a diverse programme of theatre, visual art, film, literature, workshops and fun for all the family.

Westival announced its diverse programme of events this evening at the launch in McGing's Bar on High Street, continuing their commitment to being the cultural cornerstone for the region by platforming the diverse and burgeoning creativity that the west of Ireland represents.

Westival invites locals to join them and take part in celebrating what Westport has to offer, as they present their 49th year of the programme. Selected events will be ticketed, and are available online to book from today from www.westival.ie. Please see end of this article for the full festival programme.

Speaking at the launch, Festival Director Sarah Byrne said: “Coming into my third year with the festival, I am immensely proud as we present this year’s programme. As we look towards Westival’s 50 year celebration in 2025, we will begin the next chapter of the festival with a clear and bold direction that celebrates the vibrant, unexpected, and intimate culture of the region.

“This programme also coincides with the announcement of our new Three Year Plan 2025 - 2027 for Westival - celebrating and supporting art out West, which we will be sharing publicly in the coming weeks.

“It has been a labour of love for the entire community and artists, showcasing the North West as a creative melting pot, and exploring the contemporary cultural identity unique to this part of the world. So start booking your tickets and join us for our 49th festival in Westport this October!”

Also speaking at the launch of this year’s festival, Chair of the Westival board Eugene Dowd says: “We're back and better than ever with the 49th year of Westival - Westport Music and Arts Festival. We cannot wait to present our diverse festival programme to the regional community. It has been a privilege and a joy working with the local community to make this festival come to life, and we hope that you will enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it. See you at the festival!”

Full Festival Programme:

Music

Pillow Queens

The Castle Late Night Venue, Fri 25th October, 10pm

John Spillane

Town Hall, Fri 25th October, 8pm

Ukraine Ensemble

Matt Molloys, Sat 26th October

Achill Island Basking Shark Fishermen

Grove House

Westport Jazz Event

Grove House, Sat 26th October, 6pm

Westport Festival of Chamber Music Event

Grove House, Sun 27th October, 5pm

Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival Event

Clew Bay, Sat 26th October, 8pm

Theatre

Chicken

Town Hall, Sat 26th October, 8pm

Was I Not a Girl

Clew Bay, Thurs 24th October, 7pm

The Super Secret Shameful Show

Clew Bay, Sun 27th October, 6pm

Film

Stop Making Sense

Town Hall, Sun 27th October

Western Front Studios

W Cinema, Wed 23rd October

Woken Screening

W Cinema

For The Family

Boss Rob Kids

The Clock Tavern, Sat 26th October, 11am & 2pm

Kid Disco

The Clock Tavern, Sat 26th October, 2pm

Little Top Circus Skills

Clew Bay, Mon 28th October, 11am

Workshops

Forristal Woodwork

Teach Scoile, Sat 26th October, 11am

Boss Rob Adults

The Clock Tavern, Sat 26th October, 9:30pm

Lina Stein: Milliner Workshop

Town Hall, Sun 27th October, 11am

Melanie Whelan: Kids Workshop Illustration

Town Hall, Sat 26th October, 1pm

Elizabeth Healy: Revenant Songs

Clew Bay, Sat 26th October, 12pm

Writing

The Philosopher's Hat Club

Savoir Fare, Fri 25th October, 6:30pm

Windows on Westport / Writer's Walk & Workshop

The Clock Tavern, Sun 27th October, 3:30pm

Library Poetry Event

The Library, Sat 26th October, 1pm

Easkey Britton

Poetry Competition

Grove House, Thurs 24th October, 8pm

Festival Parlour Discussion

Clew Bay, Mon 28th October, 3:30pm

Kelly Michels

The Clock Tavern, Mon 28th October, 2pm

Visual Art

Custom House: Women Mayo Artists

Custom House, Wednesday 23rd October

McGings Exhibition

McGings, from Wednesday 23rd October

Fintan Friel

Town Hall, from Wednesday 23rd October

Genevieve King

Clew Bay, from Thursday 24th October

Objects That Make Us

Custom House

An Exhibition in Cornrue