Kilkenny Roots Festival

01/10/2026

A heads-up for some roots music happening in Kilkenny in the next little while...

James McMurtry plays Cleere's on Saturday 3 Oct - SOLD OUT

Gill Landry plays Billy Byrnes with support from McKowski on Sunday 4th Oct - Tickets from www.billybyrnes.com

Gray Delisle & The Blur Ribbon Boys are in Ryan's on Sunday 11 Oct - FREE

Lizzie No is in Billy Byrne's on Friday 23 Oct - Tickets from www.billybyrnes.com

And not to forget Jeff Tweedy is in St Canices Cathedral on Friday 20 Nov - SOLD OUT

28/09/2026

All of us at the Kilkenny Roots Festival are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Indiana singer-songwriter David Corley.

When David came to Kilkenny in 2016, his songs stayed with us long after the shows. He made friends here as well as fans, and became part of our festival family.

Our deepest condolences go out to his family, loved ones, and listeners. Rest in peace, David. Thank you for the music and the memories.

16/09/2026

We are saddened by the passing of Eamonn Langton.

A trailblazer in the Irish hospitality industry, Eamonn was a kind and charitable man and an avid supporter of the arts in Kilkenny. His contribution to the city is immeasurable.

Eamonn was a great supporter of all forms of live music, going back as far as the 1960s, when he managed The Fifth Degree. The opening of the Set Theatre was a game-changer for live music in Kilkenny.

The first Kilkenny Roots Festival show at the Set Theatre was Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit in 2010. Since then, we have enjoyed many memorable shows in this beautiful venue, treasured by audiences and performers alike.

Our sincerest condolences to the Langton family on their loss. May Eamonn rest in peace.

15/09/2026

Don't forget... Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse Band - Cleere's this Thursday - Supported by Styrofoam Winos.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcUBWico0eo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

02/09/2026

There’s some seriously good roots music coming to Kilkenny over the next few weeks — including a few familiar faces from Kilkenny Roots Festival over the years.

If you’re looking for a gig, these are all well worth checking out:

• John Hegarty — Cleere’s, Friday 4 September
• Bonnie “Prince” Billy — Set Theatre, Thursday 10 September
• John Wallace & The Notions — Cleere’s, Friday 11 September
• Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band — Cleere’s, Thursday 17 September

Four great shows, right here in our little city.

Tickets available from cleeres.com and set.ie

20/08/2026

A good friend of Kilkenny Roots Festival, Arborist, has a new album on the way — and we’re very happy to give it a plug.

Belfast songwriter Mark McCambridge and Arborist have joined us in Kilkenny in the past, and anyone who caught them will know just how special a songwriter and performer he is.

The new LP, Looking for Love, arrives this autumn, following the brilliant, NI Music Prize-winning An Endless Sequence of Dead Zeros.

The first taste, “Looking 4 Love”, is out now and is well worth your time.

Give it a listen, keep an eye out for the new record — and show some love to one of our own festival friends.

🎧 Arborist – Looking 4 Love

https://fikarecordings.bandcamp.com/album/looking-for-love

07/08/2026

Special Announcement: Join us for a special standalone evening with The Delines ahead of the 2027 Kilkenny Roots Festival.
Tickets on sale Monday 10 August 2026

01/06/2026

2014 memories.

Sturgill Simpson, Hamell on Trial, Aoife Dononvan, Morgan Kane, Bar...

22/05/2026

Huge thanks to Uncut Magazine for the lovely mention in the latest issue.
Great to see Kilkenny Roots Festival and so many amazing artists featured alongside such legendary company.
Grab a copy in all good newsagents.

05/05/2026

Thinking of the guy who cycled from Heidelberg to Kilkenny (1571 kilometres) to see Loudest Whisper in the Kilford on Friday night and started his journey back on Saturday morning.