Clifden Arts Festival

Clifden Arts Festival Ireland’s Longest Running Arts Festival - Clifden Arts Festival, in the heart of Connemara.

Clifden Community Arts Week is a great celebration of the Arts which includes poetry readings, lectures, recitals, traditional music, concerts, comedy, etc. all enjoyed in a wonderful relaxed atmosphere in one of the most beautiful places on the West Coast.

Women of the Waves | Tuesday 22nd September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026Join LUXE on Omey Island for Women of the Waves,...
25/08/2026

Women of the Waves | Tuesday 22nd September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026

Join LUXE on Omey Island for Women of the Waves, a spectacular new body of landscape performance celebrating the rich Irish legacy of women and the sea.

Drawing inspiration from the journeys of women who travelled across the Atlantic, from ancient voyages to more recent migrations, LUXE brings together indigenous and international imagery in a fiery, processional and immersive performance.

Created to bring communities together in collective celebration, Women of the Waves will unfold against the dramatic Atlantic landscape as performers slowly journey across the beaches and islands, celebrating the Autumn Equinox through light, movement and spectacle.

This unique outdoor event promises a powerful and unforgettable evening of performance, landscape and storytelling.

TIME | 8PM
VENUE | OMEY ISLAND, H71 KP84
ADMISSION | FREE

Parking is available at Claddaghduff Church, followed by a short walk down to the event. Please dress appropriately for the weather and the beach. No hi-vis clothing please.

With thanks to The Community Foundation of Ireland, proud sponsor of this event.

Clifden Historical Walking Tours | Friday 18th September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026Step back in time and discover the ...
24/08/2026

Clifden Historical Walking Tours | Friday 18th September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026

Step back in time and discover the rich history of this 200-year-old town with local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill.

Explore Clifden's early industrial sites, including the historic railway station and 19th-century bridewell, and visit the town's early Catholic church and graveyard. Along the way, uncover stories of famine, war, religious conflict, street riots and political rallies that have shaped Clifden's past.

Learn more about John D'Arcy, the visionary founder of Clifden, and Alexander Nimmo, the 19th-century Scottish engineer whose work helped shape the Connemara road system that remains in use today.

Join us for an intriguing journey through Clifden's fascinating past and discover the stories behind the town you see today.

Book your tickets now and experience Clifden's history through the eyes of a local historian.

TIME | 11AM
VENUE | STATION HOUSE HOTEL
ADMISSION | €15

Traditional music takes centre stage at Clifden Arts FestivalThe Connacht Tribune shines a spotlight on our upcoming tra...
21/08/2026

Traditional music takes centre stage at Clifden Arts Festival

The Connacht Tribune shines a spotlight on our upcoming traditional music concert at Clifden Station House Theatre on Sunday, 20 September.

Featuring Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Pauline Scanlon, Tom Morrow and John Doyle, this promises to be a wonderful afternoon of traditional Irish music as part of the 49th Clifden Arts Festival.

Admission €15

Polaroid Emulsion Lift for Beginners | Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026Discover the fa...
21/08/2026

Polaroid Emulsion Lift for Beginners | Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026

Discover the fascinating art of Polaroid emulsion lifting with photographer and artist Anne-Mette Sommer from Kelter Photography, Denmark.

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to carefully separate a Polaroid photograph, lift the delicate image emulsion and transfer it onto high-quality watercolour paper. Combining patience, precision and creativity, this unique process creates beautiful, one-of-a-kind images.

No previous experience is required, making this a welcoming workshop for anyone interested in photography or simply looking to try something new. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with this distinctive technique and create their own unique piece to take home.

Two workshops are available, with separate sessions for teenagers and adults.

AGE GROUP | 13+
DAY | SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER
TIME | 10AM – 12PM
ADMISSION | €30

AGE GROUP | 18+
DAY | SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER
TIME | 2PM – 5PM
ADMISSION | €45

VENUE | TEA ROOMS, STATION HOUSE

Places are limited. Booking is available through [email protected].

RTÉ 100: The Rolling Wave | Thursday 17th September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026Join RTÉ Radio 1’s The Rolling Wave at t...
20/08/2026

RTÉ 100: The Rolling Wave | Thursday 17th September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026

Join RTÉ Radio 1’s The Rolling Wave at this year’s Clifden Arts Festival as they celebrate 100 years of RTÉ with a special pop-up exhibition and recording studio.

The exhibition will feature photographs and an audio reel showcasing highlights from the RTÉ Radio archives, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of Irish broadcasting.

The exhibition will be open to the public from 11am to 4pm, with live music recordings taking place throughout the day.

Keep an eye out for the full timetable of recordings and activities coming soon.

We look forward to welcoming you and celebrating 100 years of Irish broadcasting together.

TIME | 11AM – 4PM
DAY | THURSDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER

The Laragh Trio | Saturday 19th September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026Experience an afternoon of exceptional chamber mus...
20/08/2026

The Laragh Trio | Saturday 19th September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026

Experience an afternoon of exceptional chamber music with The Laragh Trio, bringing together three celebrated international musicians with strong Irish roots: Sinéad Farrell on flute, Fiachra Garvey on piano and Katie Tertell on cello.

This exciting new collaboration presents a colourful and virtuosic programme that showcases the beauty and versatility of flute, cello and piano. The programme features Gaubert’s Three Watercolours, Martinů’s Trio Sonata and Farrenc’s Trio Sonata for Flute, Cello and Piano.

With their combined artistry and international experience, The Laragh Trio promise an afternoon of captivating performances and exquisite chamber music at Clifden Arts Festival.

Book your tickets now and join us for what promises to be a memorable afternoon of music.

TIME | 1PM
VENUE | CHRIST CHURCH
ADMISSION | €15

Adventure Athlete Walk and Talk with Becky Gilmour | Friday 18th September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026Join adventure at...
19/08/2026

Adventure Athlete Walk and Talk with Becky Gilmour | Friday 18th September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026

Join adventure athlete and mental health advocate Becky Gilmour for a unique walk and talk exploring adventure, resilience, overcoming adversity and the inspiration behind her extraordinary challenges.

In 2025, Becky became the first person to skateboard the entire Wild Atlantic Way, the world's longest coastal route, while raising funds for Samaritans. She has also paddled almost 1,000km through Ireland and ran over 100km around Dublin's Spire in just 24 hours.

Becky will lead a litter-picking walk from Clifden Town Square to Clifden Sailing Club, where she will share the story behind her adventures and the challenges she has overcome. You are welcome to join the walk or make your own way to the Sailing Club for the talk.

Becky continues to raise awareness and funds for mental health through her campaign, supporting Okuguma, a mental health team based at Kiwoko Hospital in Uganda. She will also share details of her next major expedition in East Africa, following the festival.

Follow Becky's journey on Instagram and visit beckysarthouse.com to learn more about her charities and support her adventures.

TIME | 4:15PM
DAY | FRIDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER
VENUE | CLIFDEN SAILING CLUB
ADMISSION | €10

Frances Fitzgerald in Conversation with Judy Murphy | Monday 21st September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026Join us for a fa...
18/08/2026

Frances Fitzgerald in Conversation with Judy Murphy | Monday 21st September | Clifden Arts Festival 2026

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Frances Fitzgerald, one of Ireland's leading voices on equality, as she sits down with Judy Murphy at this year's Clifden Arts Festival.

With over 20 years of experience in public life, Frances Fitzgerald has held a number of senior ministerial positions, including Tánaiste of Ireland from 2016–17, Minister for Justice and Equality and Ireland's first Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

Throughout her career, Frances has played an important role in advancing equality and social policy in Ireland, including championing the Marriage Equality Referendum and the Sexual Offences Act 2017. She currently serves on the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council and is the first ambassador for Ruhama.

This conversation offers a unique opportunity to hear Frances reflect on her career, leadership and continued work advocating for equality in Ireland and internationally.

Book your tickets now and join us for what promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking conversation.

TIME | 11AM
VENUE | STATION HOUSE THEATRE
ADMISSION | €15

A wonderful showcase of this year’s Clifden Arts Festival in the Connacht Tribune. A huge thank you to Judy Murphy for h...
17/08/2026

A wonderful showcase of this year’s Clifden Arts Festival in the Connacht Tribune.

A huge thank you to Judy Murphy for her continued support of the festival and for highlighting just some of the exciting visual arts, exhibitions and events taking place this September.

We’re looking forward to welcoming artists, audiences and visitors to Clifden from 17–27 September for the 49th Clifden Arts Festival.

Thank you to the Connacht Tribune for the coverage and to all of the wonderful artists featured.

Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Totems by Alan Clarke | Clifden Arts Festival 2026Discover a selection of figurative sculptu...
17/08/2026

Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Totems by Alan Clarke | Clifden Arts Festival 2026

Discover a selection of figurative sculptural works by acclaimed artist Alan Clarke, spanning the last five years of his practice.

Renowned for his technical skill and ability to capture the character and emotional charge of his subjects, Clarke's exhibition brings together works created across a range of materials, including bronze, aluminium, plaster and ceramic.

Alongside the exhibition, visitors will have the unique opportunity to watch Alan Clarke create a live sculptural portrait over the final four days of the festival. Specially commissioned by Clifden Arts Festival, the portrait will be unveiled as part of the festival's 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2027.

This is a rare opportunity to observe the artist at work and gain an insight into the process behind creating a sculptural portrait.

Alan Clarke will also be talking about his work on Friday 25th September at 11:30am. See the main programme for details.

VENUE | CLIFDEN STUDIOS, STATION HOUSE COMPLEX
EXHIBITION | Thursday 17th – Saturday 26th September
OPEN DAILY | 11:30AM – 5:30PM

ARTIST AT WORK:
Wednesday 23rd | 2:30PM – 5:30PM
Thursday 24th | 11:30AM – 2PM
Friday 25th | 2:30PM – 5:30PM
Saturday 26th | 11:30AM – 2PM

Address

Bridge Street
Clifden
N/A

Telephone

+353873315009

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