Gig News

Forest Fest 2026 – announce lineup for the Fleadh Stage

Forest Fest has today revealed twenty-seven acts set to perform on the festival’s beloved Forest Fleadh Stage this July, with a stellar line-up celebrating the very best of Irish folk and traditional music.

Joining the bill are Kíla and Brass, Camille O’Sullivan, Aldoc, Jiggy, Dervish, Cherish The Ladies, The Henry Girls, Lorraine Nash, Hugsie and many more.

The acts join a stacked Forest Fest line-up featuring headliners Echo & The Bunnymen, James and Madness, all performing across the weekend at Bee’s Wing Farm, Emo, Co. Laois from 24th–26th July. Bee’s Wing Farm will also welcome The Boomtown Rats, The Charlatans, The Undertones, Deacon Blue, The Coronas, Paul Brady, Feeder and many more, with further announcements still to come.

Festival Director Philip Meagher said: “We are so proud of our Fleadh line-up this year and we’re really looking forward to welcoming the very best folk and trad acts from all around the country to Laois in July. We cannot wait to have the mother of all hooleys in Emo this summer!”

The announcement will be celebrated this evening with a launch party at a secret location, where an all-star trad session will mark the occasion. 10 lucky Forest Fest ticketholders have been selected to win a pair of tickets to attend the event. 

The full Forest Fleadh Stage line-up:

Kíla and Brass; Aldoc; Jiggy; Dervish; The Byrne Brothers; Cherish The Ladies; Goitse; Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones; Caoimhín; The Henry Girls; Lorraine Nash; Camille O’Sullivan; Marty Barry and Conal O’Kane; Méabh Mulligan and Friends; Hubert Murray and Band; Aisling Drost Byrne; Brendan McCarthy and Conal O’Kane; Trad Hits feat. The High Kick Irish Dancers; Alder; The Craic Addicts; The Murphy Sisters; Jordan Lively & Rae MacIver; Wayne Brereton and Band; The Achill Lads; Hugsie; Set Dancing with Maureen Culleton feat. Scoil Rince Ní Anglais; Music Generation Laois & Harp Ensemble; Triológ.

Friday July 24th – Sunday July 26th 2026

Bee’s Wing Farm, Emo Village Co. Laois

Tickets on sale now from forestfest.ie

Travel & Accommodation

The festival offers a range of accommodation, including Pitched Perfect glamping units from two-person pods to eight-person suites equipped with hot showers, phone charging and pamper facilities. Dedicated campervan and caravan passes are available, with extensive tent camping options also provided. Local hotels in Portlaoise, Kildare, Tullamore and Abbeyleix are served by regular shuttle buses. Forest Fest is easily accessible, located one hour from Dublin and just 5km from the M7 (Exit 15), with complimentary parking, hourly trains to Portlaoise and Portarlington and additional private buses planned for 2026. 

Ian Mc Donnell

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