Foggy Notions & Pavilion Theatre
Dún Laoghaire Folk Festival 2026
This is the third edition of Dún Laoghaire Folk Fest, a project we started with the Pavilion Theatre in 2021 during COVID, when only 50 people could attend each show! Surreal times, but fond memories. A second edition followed in 2022 with full houses, and it's great to be back after a three-year gap supported by the Pavilion Theatre's Patron Award. We greatly appreciate their support for independent promoters, curators, performers and producers in this challenging climate.
The mood of this year's curation draws on psychic happenstance, gloom-folk, the authentic voice, and the elemental energy of Dún Laoghaire itself. Coastal towns feel at the coalface of climate: one day sun-glitter, the next a tempestuous dance of wind and wave. Whatever the season, it's an inspirational environment for music and singing.
We warmly welcome legendary overseas artists, including Jacqui McShee's Pentangle, Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Destroyer's Dan Bejar, plus Irish debuts from Tessa Rose Jackson and Garefowl. Thanks to Campbell Baum of Broadside Hacks for the chance to celebrate Lal & Mike Waterson's Bright Phoebus, a once-misunderstood but now groundbreaking album. Our homegrown artists include Andy Irvine, Brigid Mae Power, Ellie O'Neill, Art Lorigan, and emerging voices Roisín Gowen, Aongus and Rua Rí.
LINE-UP
Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle
Wed 9 Sep, 8pm
Known for their brilliantly successful combination of traditional and non-traditional, Pentangle forged a whole new era in folk - and founder member McShee is the central link right back to the beginning.
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Broadside Hacks presents Bright Phoebus Revisited
Featuring Marry Waterson, Eliza Carthy, Daragh Lynch (Lankum), Matt Deighton, Martyn Baker & Ben Nicholls
Thu Sep 10, 8pm
London based promoter and record label Broadside Hacks present a celebration of Lal and Mike Waterson’s cult album, featuring Marry Waterson, Eliza Carthy, Lankum’s Daragh Lynch, Matt Deighton, Martyn Baker, and Ben Nicholls.
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Bonnie “Prince” Billy
& special guests Garefowl & Brigid Mae Power
Fri 11 & Sat 12 Sep, 8pm
The Louisville, Kentucky native returns to Irish shores, performing his first concerts in Dún Laoghaire since 2014 in celebration of the release of his latest album We Are Together Again.
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Andy Irvine
& special guests Tessa Rose Jackson & Roisín Gowen
Sat 12 Sep, 2pm
Dún Laoghaire Folk Fest
Celebrated for his time in Sweeney’s Men, Planxty and many more, Irvine is joined by emerging indie singer-songwriter Roisín Gowen and Dutch-British folk artist Tessa Rose Jackson.
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Ellie O’Neill
& special guests Aongus & Rua Rí
Sun 13 Sep, 2pm
The Co. Meath artist whose music weaves a rich, diverse and tender landscape, is joined by Donegal cellist Aongus and Cobh singer-songwriter Rua Rí.
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Destroyer (solo)
& special guest Art Lorigan
Sun 13 Sep, 8pm
A rare solo performance from Vancouver’s Dan Bejar, who started the indie project in the mid-90s which now boasts 14 albums. He is joined by Cork drummer-turned-artist Art Lorigan.