Galway Folk Festival is proud to announce the headline artists for its 2026 edition, taking place from June 3rd to 7th 2026, as the festival celebrates its 5th year. Since launching in 2022, Galway Folk Festival has quickly become a vital part of Ireland’s folk, roots and traditional music landscape, and the 2026 edition marks its most ambitious programme to date.
The festival is growing in size, scale, and vision, as this year will see the headline shows staged across 9 venues throughout Galway city, including Leisureland and St Nicholas’ Church, alongside beloved theatres, churches, pubs and intimate performance spaces. Across 5 days, audiences can expect a rich mix of large-scale headline shows, atmospheric seated concerts, late-night sessions and city-wide happenings.
The 2026 headline acts, now announced and on sale, include The Divine Comedy, Richard Thompson, Damien Dempsey, Lisa O’Neill, and Jamie McIntyre. As part of the festival’s 5th birthday celebrations, Galway Folk Festival is delighted to welcome back several much-loved artists who have played a meaningful contribution to the festival’s journey so far. Returning old friends include Hothouse Flowers, Niall McCabe, CLADA and Seán Keane, appearing alongside an expansive wave of artists making their Galway Folk Festival debut, reflecting the festival’s continued commitment to both legacy and discovery.
The wider 2026 programme brings together an exceptional mix of Irish and international performers, including Muireann Bradley, Flyte, RÓIS, Bill Ryder-Jones, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Ríognach Connolly & Honeyfeet, Nadia Reid, Padraig Jack, Without Willow, and many more, with further artist announcements still to come.
2026 HEADLINERS:
THE DIVINE COMEDY
RICHARD THOMPSON * DAMIEN DEMPSEY
LISA O’NEILL * HOTHOUSE FLOWERS
MUIREANN BRADLEY * FLYTE * RÓIS
JAMIE MCINTYRE * SEÁN KEANE
BILL RYDER-JONES * BRÍGHDE CHAIMBEUL
NIALL MCCABE * MUIREANN NIC AMHLAOIBH
SEANCHOÍCHE * NOTIFY * CLADA
RÍOGHNACH CONNOLLY & HONEYFEET
ALL THINGS EVE * BEC O’MALLEY
ELIZABETH DAVIDSON-BLYTHE & DANIEL QUAYLE
HÁNT * HERON RED * HOW I BECAME A WAVE * LILY LYONS
MICHAEL MCGOVERN * NADIA REID * PADRAIG JACK
PAURIC O’MEARA * SEÁN LYONS * SEÁNIE Ò’LOINSIGH *
WITHOUT WILLOW
+ MANY MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED
Alongside its ticketed concerts, Galway Folk Festival will once again host an extensive programme of free daytime events, including pop-up performances, sessions, talks, and family-friendly activities across the city. The full programme of additional free events will be announced in April 2026.
Festival Director Peter O’Sullivan comments:
“Reaching our 5th year is a huge moment for the festival. Galway Folk Festival has always been about community, connection and great music, and for 2026 we wanted to celebrate that by inviting back some familiar faces while continuing to introduce new artists to Galway audiences.”
Festival Director Gary Monroe further comments:
“This feels like a real milestone year for us. We hope you’ll come celebrate with us.”
Tickets for all events can be purchased through the festival’s website. Early booking is advised www.galwayfolkfestival.com
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