Quiet Lights Festival – have announced their full programme

As autumn deepens and Cork’s evenings grow quieter, Islander is proud to share the full programme for Quiet Lights, the city’s much-loved winter festival, returning for its sixth year. Taking place from 20th to 23rd November, Quiet Lights shines a spotlight on boundary-pushing Irish and international artists working across folk, traditional, and experimental sounds.

Set in Cork’s most cherished venues, including Live at St Luke’s, Triskel Arts Centre, Coughlan’s, MTU Cork School of Music, and plugd, the festival offers a space for audiences to gather in warmth, reflection, and discovery as the city begins its gentle turn towards winter.

Previously announced headliners include Icelandic collective Múm, performing a rare live show; founding member and acclaimed cellist Gyða Valtýsdóttir in a double bill with celebrated American harpist Mary Lattimore; Ireland’s singular folk voice Lisa O’Neill; and the bold, genre-defying English songwriter Rich(ard) Dawson.

They are now joined by an exceptional line-up of newly announced artists and intimate shows across the city.

Here’s a look at the full programme:

THURSDAY 20th November

Niall Breslin – Triskel Arts Centre @ 19:30 – €31
Caoimhín O Raghallaigh – Coughlan’s @ 19:30 – €25

FRIDAY 21st November

Rich(ard) Dawson w/ Elaine Howley – Live at St Luke’s @ 19:30 – €28
Iarla Ó Lionáird, Cormac McCarthy & Caoimhín O Raghallaigh – Triskel @ 19:30 – €32.50
Joanna Mattrey & Dan Walsh – plugd @ 21:30 – €15

SATURDAY 22nd November

Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin & Ultan O’Brien // Lucia & Maria (Double Bill) – Coughlan’s @ 17:00 – €28
Aoife Ní Bhriain & Cormac McCarthy – MTU Cork School of Music @ 16:00 – €20
Lisa O’Neill w/ Elaine Malone – Live at St Luke’s @ 19:30 – €35

SUNDAY 23rd November

Mary Lattimore & Gyða Valtýsdóttir – Live at St Luke’s @ 13:00 – €22
How I Became A Wave – Coughlan’s @ 17:00 – €20
Múm w/ Gemma Doherty – Live at St Luke’s @ 19:30 – €28
Xavi Contraband – plugd @ 21:00 – €15

Festival Director Jonathan Pearson says:

“Myself and the rest of the team are really excited to share the full line-up for Quiet Lights 2025. What began with our St Luke’s headliners has expanded into a programme that feels rich with collaboration, intimacy, and artistic depth. From long-held ambitions like welcoming múm and Gyða to Cork, to the extraordinary tradition-rooted experiments of Caoimhín O Raghallaigh, Aoife Ní Bhriain, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and more, this year’s festival invites audiences to journey through the many shapes that folk and experimental music can take. We can’t wait welcome you to Cork city this November.”

Tickets are on sale now: https://www.quietlights.net/